Ace Journalist Kwasi Pratt Jnr has said that the chances of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in future elections depend largely on how the current Mahama administration performs in delivering the promises they made to Ghanaians.
He made the point that persons appointed to government ought to focus on how to deliver the promises, but it appears to him that some key appointees have lost focus and are prematurely jostling for who will replace President Mahama as their next flagbearer
Speaking on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday, May 23, he said, “Ultimately, the performance of the NDC in future elections will depend on whether the government is able to achieve the objectives that it set for itself. Those who have been appointed as expected to do that, it seems to me that they have lost focus.”
Kwasi Pratt Jnr further condemned the premature jostling for who becomes the next flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress.
He described the current situation in the NDC as reckless and a danger sign, after making the point that one would have thought the appointees would rather focus on achieving the mandate that the people of Ghana, gave to them some 17 months ago.
He said, “As a matter of fact, what is happening is reckless in the extreme; it is a pointer that there isn’t sufficient focus on the reset agenda.
“Only about 17 months ago, the people of Ghana voted for the NDC under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama based on the manifesto promises.
“One would have thought that all those who have been appointed to government would focus their attention on achieving the objectives of realising the promises which they made to us.
“Unfortunately, many people in key positions do not appear to be focusing on this agenda and are focusing on their personal, individual, egoistic ambitions. That is a danger sign.”
For his part, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emmanuel Bombande, said that the NDC will win the 2028 general elections not only because of the person who will be elected flagbearer, but also by the process of electing the candidate.
Mr Bombande said that a fair process will ensure that the NDC remains united and goes into the 2028 elections.
He also cited the performance of the Mahama administration as a factor that will determine the chances of the NDC in the next elections.
Mr Bombae was making the point that it is possible that none of the names that have been polled or tracked will emerge victorious.
“It is possible that some who have never been polled will be elected.
“It is possible that some of the people polled or tracked will not win,” he also said on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday, May 23.
The Renowned Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding expert, Emmanuel Bombande added, “The NDC has a very consultative process which helps them to determine who leads the Party at any time.”
He further stated that “The NDC is going to win the 2028 elections not just based on who is elected flagbearer, but by the process of electing.
“When you have a process not well thought through, you could be elected flagbearer but will run into challenges.” The process must be so fair that nobody will complain.”
Their comments come at a time when the Executive Director of the Global InforAnalytics, Mussah Dankwah, pointed out that some ministers and appointees of the Mahama administration are out of touch with the grassroots of the National Democratic Congress.
Apart from being out of touch with the grassroots, Dankwah also said that some appointees are undermining themselves ahead of the flagbearer race.
“There are ministers who are out of touch with the grassroots; they are jets focusing on what they are doing,” he said on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday, May 23.
Mussa further says that a good servant of the government is most likely to be elected flagbearer. This is aside from having a good message.
“The performance of ministers will determine the outcome of the NDC flagbearer race,” Mussa Dankwah said.
“If you, serve well, you will be deemed to be a good servant. There are people in government who are fighting against the same government; not everybody in the government is a team player, so the delegates will look at the people in general,” he said on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday, May 23.
The NDC is, however, yet to open nominations for the flagbearer contest ahead of the 2028 general elections.
He says the delegates he has been speaking to have expressed the view that the person to be elected as flagbearer must be seen to be supporting the Mahama administration to deliver.
Anything short of that would not be accepted by the delegates, he said.
“You have to be seen to be supporting the government to be elected NDC Flagbearer, Musa Dankwah said.
“For John Mahama and his party, they have to perform in office. If they fail to perform in office, they will not have a chance in the 2028 elections, he said.
Mussah Dankwah further dismissed criticisms that his outfit is not conducting any poll but a popular contest.
He made the point that they always get it right with their polls.
“A lot of things have been said about our polls, but we always get it right. We know what we are looking for, we know it will not suit everybody,” he said.