National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has revealed that, the then former President, John Dramani Mahama, initially disagreed with his decision to restructure the party’s parliamentary front ahead of the 2024 general elections.
Speaking in Tamale, the outspoken NDC chairman said the controversial changes, which saw some experienced figures moved from key frontline roles in Parliament, were part of a broader political strategy aimed at securing electoral victory for the party.
According to him, although the decision generated tension within the party and sparked public speculation about internal divisions, he remained convinced the move was necessary to reposition the NDC for power.
“We had gotten to a stage where we needed to change the forward line of Parliament; otherwise, it would have been difficult for us to win the election,” he stated.
Mr. Asiedu Nketia disclosed that Mr. Mahama was initially not in support of the changes, but he insisted on proceeding with the plan as National Chairman of the party.
“President Mahama disagreed with me, but I told him, ‘You elected me as chairman of this party. I am the coach of the party going into the election, so let me make the changes that will win us the election,’” he recounted.
The reshuffle at the time affected prominent NDC figures including Haruna Iddrisu and Muntaka Mubarak, both of whom were moved from key leadership positions in Parliament.
The decision triggered intense debate within the party, particularly among supporters in the Northern Region, with many interpreting the shake-up as evidence of a fallout among senior party executives.
However, Mr. Asiedu Nketia dismissed such claims, insisting there was never any personal hostility between him and the affected leaders.
“How can Haruna become my enemy? He cannot become my enemy,” he said while addressing party supporters.
Using a football analogy, the NDC chairman explained that political leadership sometimes requires difficult tactical decisions for the collective good of the party.
“I am a coach and I must watch how our opponents are playing so I can arrange my team for us to win,” he added.
He argued that the eventual electoral outcome vindicated the strategy, describing the NDC’s 2024 performance as unprecedented in the history of the Fourth Republic.
“When we did the arrangement and went into the election, the victory the NDC got in 2024 — have you seen such a victory in Ghana since the beginning of the Fourth Republic?” he quizzed.
Mr. Asiedu Nketia further revealed that after the elections, he advised Mr. Mahama that both Haruna Iddrisu and Muntaka Mubarak still needed to play significant roles in government due to their experience and political value to the party.
He said the two were subsequently handed major responsibilities and continue to work closely with the party leadership.
The NDC chairman also cautioned party supporters in Tamale against factional politics, warning that internal groupings could weaken the unity of the party ahead of future political contests.
“There will be struggles for positions and moments when some people will be angry while others smile, but we must not destroy the NDC vehicle that keeps us in power,” he stressed.
