An aspiring Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Benjamin Danso, has pledged to make the welfare of party members and grassroots supporters a central priority if elected.
Speaking on the Yepe Ahunu political show with Nana Dogbe on Ahotor 92.3 FM, Mr Danso said his decision to contest the regional chairmanship was informed by research and his experience as a former constituency chairman.
According to him, his research shows that opposition parties rarely win elections solely on their own strength, but often benefit when an incumbent government loses touch with the people.
“As a member of the NDC, history has taught us that we lost the 2016 election not because we did not undertake developmental projects,” he said.
Mr Danso cited projects including the Kejetia Market, the Kasoa Interchange and the E-Blocks, describing them as flagship projects that should have given the party an advantage over the opposition.
‘Projects Cannot Talk’
However, he argued that infrastructure alone cannot guarantee electoral victory if the party fails to connect with the people.
“Projects cannot talk, programmes cannot speak. The only thing that can speak is the people,” Mr Danso said.
He said the NDC must adopt what he described as the “3Ps” approach—projects, programmes and people—if it hopes to sustain its political strength.
According to him, the party has over the years relegated the people factor, with the welfare of grassroots supporters receiving insufficient attention after electoral victories.
Mr Danso argued that a well-motivated party base does not need to be persuaded to campaign or speak about the party’s achievements.
“Once they are motivated, they will do it without any hesitation,” he said.
He said Greater Accra, as the capital region, requires a chairman who can serve as an effective bridge between the party and government.
“If there is a problem with that bridge, once there is an issue in government, it falls on us in Greater Accra,” he said.
Unity and Welfare as Priorities
Mr Danso expressed concern about divisions within the party in the region, saying unity remains critical to the NDC’s progress.
He claimed that the current regional chairman and youth organiser were scheduled to appear in court on November 18, adding that a party without unity cannot make progress.
“The welfare of party members is my priority,” he said. “That is what I have been researching for about a year.”
Mr Danso said his experience as chairman of the Krowor Constituency had given him first-hand knowledge of the challenges facing party supporters.
He recounted instances where constituents approached him late at night seeking support for their children’s education, electricity credits or food.
“Sometimes constituents will come in the middle of the night and say, Chairman, I need money to buy books for my child, prepaid units or foodstuff,” he said.
He argued that a leader who does not understand the realities of the constituency cannot effectively respond to the needs of the people.
“Once you understand the problem, it is 90 per cent solved,” he said.
Story of Leadership
To illustrate his point, Mr Danso shared a story about a ship that broke down at the Tema Port.
According to him, several engineers were called to fix the problem but were unable to resolve it until a young man with only a chisel and hammer intervened.
He said the young man used the tools to strike some parts of the machine, after which it began working again.
When asked to present an invoice, the young man reportedly charged one million dollars, prompting questions about the amount.
Mr Danso said the young man explained that the charge reflected his understanding of the problem, adding that leadership requires an understanding of people’s pain.
“If you have a chairman who has not experienced welfare issues, how can he attend to them?” he asked.
Commitment to Candidates
Mr Danso said the NDC’s victory in Greater Accra in the 2024 general election did not come easily, describing the work done across constituencies as demanding.
He said party members worked with unity of purpose to secure the region’s parliamentary seats, despite challenges and internal pressures.
“It is not about music and dance. We went through all the constituencies and shared our experiences,” he said.
Mr Danso also disclosed that he had decided to pay the filing fees of about 900 candidates contesting various positions within the party.
He said the decision was intended to support party members and acknowledge the sacrifices they made during the 2024 general election.
“I know there will be casualties, but I want them to know that I understand the suffering they went through,” he said.
Call for New Leadership Direction
Mr Danso, who is number four on the ballot, said the NDC cannot continue with the same approach and expect different results.
“We want a leader who can be at the war front, not a leader who will hide behind until the battle is over and then come to claim credit,” he said.
He urged party members to support a leadership that places the welfare of grassroots supporters at the centre of party organisation and political mobilisation.
Story by Freedom Etsey Lavoe