Aspiring National Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr Alexander Amo Baffour, has proposed the establishment of a Grassroots Empowerment Fund to provide economic support for party members and strengthen the party’s structures.
The fund, he said, could be financed through a percentage of membership dues, donations, fundraising activities and other sources to support members interested in agriculture, fish farming, entrepreneurship and other income-generating ventures.
Speaking on Ahotor 92.3 FM’s morning show, Adekyee Mu Nsem, hosted by Nana Dogbe, Dr Baffour said the initiative would also help members who do not secure political appointments after elections to sustain their livelihoods and remain economically active.
The Economist and Lecturer at the University of Pentecost said his decision to contest for the National Vice Chairman position was largely informed by concerns about the welfare of grassroots members, whose contributions to electoral victories, he argued, are sometimes overlooked after elections.
He maintained that the NDC must move beyond relying on grassroots members during election campaigns and establish sustainable mechanisms to reward their commitment and improve their economic circumstances.
Dr Baffour also called for a more inclusive party administration, insisting that grassroots members must have a meaningful voice in decisions affecting the party.
He said he would champion a pragmatic restructuring of the party to ensure continuous engagement between national leadership, regional executives, constituency officers and branch members, including during periods outside election campaigns.
As part of the proposed reforms, he advocated the introduction of measurable performance indicators to assess the organisational activities and performance of constituencies.
He cited concerns raised by an NDC executive in the Ashaiman Constituency during his tour of the Greater Accra Region, who complained that despite the area’s longstanding support for the party, it had received limited development attention.
Dr Baffour said a performance-monitoring system would help party leadership identify constituencies requiring support and guide decisions on resource allocation and development interventions.
He further pledged to advocate for the revival of the Ahotor Project introduced by former presidential aspirant Dr Kwabena Duffuor, which he believes could help economically empower grassroots members and strengthen the party’s structures.
On the economy, Dr Baffour stressed the need for Ghana to take greater ownership of its economy by strengthening domestic production and reducing excessive dependence on foreign interests.
He identified agriculture as a critical driver of economic growth and welcomed the government’s allocation of resources towards commercial farming, irrigation infrastructure, silos and agricultural value chains in the 2027 Budget.
He also welcomed the attention given to fisheries and efforts to sustain the country’s economic stability, describing productive-sector development as essential to improving the livelihoods of Ghanaians.
Dr Baffour, who recently completed the vetting process and balloting for the NDC national executive elections, disclosed that he picked number four, which coincides with his birthday on December 4, 1982.
Describing the coincidence as significant, he expressed optimism about December 4, 2026, saying he believed another important moment in his political journey was approaching.
He said his broader ambition was to help position the NDC for victory in the 2028 and 2032 general elections and beyond.
Dr Baffour appealed to delegates ahead of the party’s 19th National Delegates Congress on December 19, 2026, to give him the mandate to serve as National Vice Chairman.
He pledged to prioritise grassroots representation, economic empowerment and accountability within the party, arguing that the NDC’s long-term strength depends on the welfare and active participation of its members.
Story by Freedom Etsey Lavoe