National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has defended his nationwide Thank You tour, explaining that the exercise is part of his responsibilities as leader of the governing party and should not be interpreted as an early campaign for the party’s 2028 presidential nomination. He dismissed suggestions that the engagements were intended to promote his political ambitions, arguing that the claims overlooked the responsibilities entrusted to him by the party.
Addressing the issue, the NDC Chairman explained that the tour was organised to appreciate party members and supporters who worked to secure victory in the 2024 general election. According to him, the visits also provided an opportunity to strengthen unity within the party after a demanding electoral season.
Rejecting suggestions that the nationwide engagements amounted to political campaigning, Mr Asiedu Nketiah remarked that such assertions lacked merit because no internal election followed the exercise. From his perspective, a campaign naturally leads to a vote, making it unreasonable to interpret a post election appreciation tour as a contest for future office.
“They were either ignorant about how a party is run or simply being mischievous. If I was campaigning, where is the election that should have followed?”
Johnson Asiedu Nketiah
The NDC Chairman indicated that his constitutional role requires him to keep the party active and connected to its members across the country. Consequently, he viewed the tour as an important opportunity to interact directly with the grassroots, explain developments within the party and reinforce confidence among supporters.
“I never used the tour to promote myself because everybody in this party already knows who I am. The focus was to thank our supporters and keep the party united.”
Johnson Asiedu Nketiah
An important dimension of the exercise, he explained, involved fulfilling a commitment he made while campaigning for parliamentary candidates during the 2024 elections. Having travelled to several communities to seek votes, he believed it was equally important to return after the elections to express appreciation to traditional leaders, opinion leaders and residents who supported the party.
According to him, honouring that promise demonstrates respect for the electorate and strengthens the relationship between the party and its support base. He noted that many communities welcomed the gesture because it showed the leadership is connected to ordinary supporters even after winning political power.
He further accentuated on gratitude and party cohesion throughout the engagements. Discussions were focused on acknowledging the sacrifices of party faithful while encouraging members to remain committed to the government’s programme and the long term objectives of the NDC.
Furthermore, he explained that every address delivered during the engagements concentrated on issues affecting the party and its supporters instead of promoting his personal ambitions. Consideration was also given to encouraging patience among members as the government settled into office and implemented its agenda.
Appointments Frustration Demanded Immediate Party Engagement
National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah also added that his nationwide Thank you tour became necessary to address growing frustrations among party supporters over appointments and recruitment after the party assumed office. He indicated that engaging the grassroots is his responsibility to preserve unity and ensure members remained committed to supporting the government.
Mr Asiedu Nketiah explained that reports reaching the party leadership pointed to increasing dissatisfaction among some supporters who felt disappointed over appointments and access to employment opportunities. Against this backdrop, he considered it necessary to meet party members directly and provide clarity on issues that were generating anxiety across various constituencies.
According to the NDC Chairman, ignoring those developments would have allowed divisions to deepen at a time when the governing party needed to remain united behind its administration. Consequently, he embarked on the nationwide engagements to listen to members, explain government processes and encourage patience as appointments continued.
“I had to go to the people because there were frustrations over appointments and recruitment. If I sat down and did nothing, I would be a stupid chairman.”
Johnson Asiedu Nketiah
The role of a National Chairman goes beyond supervising party structures during elections. The responsibility, he explained, also includes sustaining harmony within the organisation and ensuring disagreements do not undermine the government’s ability to deliver on its mandate.
Additionally, Mr Asiedu Nketiah disclosed that there were reports of attempts by some aggrieved supporters to organise demonstrations against the NDC administration. Such developments, he noted, needed immediate engagement with the grassroots to prevent misunderstandings from escalating into actions capable of weakening the party’s cohesion.
Assessing the outcome of the exercise, the NDC Chairman indicated that the engagements produced positive results across the country. In his view, the atmosphere within the party became calmer after members were given the opportunity to interact directly with the leadership and receive explanations on issues affecting them.
“The purpose was to quench the fires, and I’m satisfied that after engaging our supporters those tensions eased considerably.”
Johnsom Asiedu Nketiah
Addressing criticism that such engagements should have been led by President John Dramani Mahama, Mr Asiedu Nketiah declined to personalise the debate. Instead, he suggested that differing opinions within a political organisation should be managed with restraint and maturity to preserve unity.
He added that disagreements among party members should not become public confrontations that distract attention from governance. The emphasis, he added, should remain on resolving internal issues through dialogue while keeping the party focused on supporting the government’s development agenda.
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