The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Honourable Fifi Fiavi Kwetey has expressed profound concerns over what he describes as the rapid decline of Ghana’s democratic institutions and governance under the current New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.

Mr Kwetey in a press conference, underscored the deteriorating state of the country’s democratic governance, which he noted has long been considered a paragon of good governance and a beacon of democratic processes.

“Ghana has been revered globally as a model of good governance, a staunch defender of democratic processes, and a beacon of the rule of law, with an Electoral Commission renowned for conducting free and fair elections. Tragically, it seems those days are behind us”.
Honorable Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, NDC’s General Secretary

As the December 7, 2024, presidential and parliamentary elections approach, the opposition party’s General Secretary expressed deep concerns over the integrity of Ghana’s electoral process.

He accused the Electoral Commission (EC) of faltering grievously in its duties, showing signs of lawlessness and incompetence that mirror the troubling patterns of the New Patriotic Party administration under President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

Mr Kwetey emphasized that the actions and the inactions of the country’s Electoral Commission reflect the corruption, cronyism, and ineptitude deeply entrenched in the New Patriotic Party administration.

Transfer of Political Power

Furthermore, the former Member of Parliament for Ketu South in the Volta Region, Honourable Fifi Kwetey expressed deep concerns over recent “unprecedented declaration” by President Akufo-Addo, which he noted implied the ruling party’s unwillingness to relinquish power should it be defeated in the upcoming general elections.

He emphasized the dangerous implications of such statements, noting that they threaten the peaceful transfer of power, which is a cornerstone of every democratic governance.

Recalling past elections, Mr Kwetey reminded President Akufo-Addo of his defeats in 2008 and 2012, after which he noted power was graciously transferred to him in 2017 when he won the 2016 general elections.

“Indeed, power does corrupt. President Akufo-Addo, basking in the fleeting glory of the power he literally begged Ghanaians for, seems to have forgotten that he, too, was defeated in the 2008 and 2012 elections, yet power was graciously transferred to him in 2017. ‘Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh’. This revelation speaks volumes about his intentions and the potential peril to our nation’s stability”.
Honorable Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, NDC’s General Secretary

Moreover, Honorable Fifi Fiavi Kwetey underscored the opposition National Democratic Congress’s vigilance and preparedness to ensure free and transparent elections, even at the risk of their own lives.

He cautioned President Akufo-Addo and the ruling New Patriotic Party to refrain from masterminding any ploy not to relinquish power, when it losses the 2024 general elections, stressing that the opposition party is fully equipped and resolute, to respond with unwavering determination to defend the sanctity of the votes of Ghanaians and the country’s democratic future.

In addition, Mr Kwetey cautioned the Electoral Commission against any plans to rig the 2024 elections in favor of the governing New Patriotic Party, citing the words of the party’s running mate, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang during her unveiling address that “A word to the wise is in Assin North!”.

Mr Kwetey thus assured Ghanaians that the National Democratic Congress will ensure a peaceful transfer of power to former President John Dramani Mahama and Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyeman in January 2025 when elected by the Ghanaian electorates.

In a call to action, Mr Kwetey urged the Ghanaian populace to rally behind the party and its flagbearer, former President John Dramani Mahama to dismantle what he described as the most “ineptest, corrupt, and ethnocentric” government in Ghana’s history, underscoring the patriotic duty of his call to every Ghanaian.