Political commentary surrounding remarks by Johnson Asiedu Nketia on the reshuffling of the parliamentary front bench ahead of the 2024 general elections continues to spark debate within Ghana’s political space.
Speaking on Ahotor FM’s Simpiaso programme hosted by Alaska De Don, Listowel Nana Poku, Executive Director of the Good Governance Advocacy Group Ghana, shared his views on discussions surrounding the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) victory in the 2024 elections.
According to Mr. Listowel, the NDC’s electoral success was the result of a collective effort and should not be attributed to any single individual. He stressed that no one person — including John Dramani Mahama or Johnson Asiedu Nketia — can solely claim responsibility for the party’s victory.
He acknowledged the significant role played by Asiedu Nketia in mobilizing and energizing the party’s grassroots base through strategic planning, media engagements, and consistent communication. However, he noted that several others also contributed to the victory, including party executives, communicators, grassroots supporters, former opposition sympathizers, and ordinary Ghanaians seeking change due to economic hardships and dissatisfaction with the previous administration.
Mr. Listowel further expressed reservations about the NDC National Chairman leading a “Thank You Tour,” arguing that such a move could create internal political tensions and fuel perceptions of future leadership ambitions within the party. In his view, this could undermine party unity and distract from the collective mandate entrusted to the NDC by Ghanaians.
He emphasized that the outcome of the 2024 elections was influenced largely by prevailing economic and social conditions rather than campaign rhetoric alone. According to him, many voters based their decisions on their lived experiences and frustrations with governance at the time.
While admitting that John Mahama remained the central figure who made the NDC appealing to voters, he maintained that the party’s victory was ultimately achieved through teamwork, sacrifice, and the collective desire of Ghanaians for change.
Story by Stephen Kwaku Owusu Mintah
