The Ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) is preparing to issue a directive that will require all government appointees who also hold party positions to resign from their roles within the party — a move that is already generating anxiety and controversy within its ranks.
Credible sources indicate that the decision has received backing from the party’s Political Committee, the Functional Executive Committee, and the Council of Elders. The intent, according to insiders, is to clearly separate party machinery from government administration — a principle many within the NDC believe has been neglected in recent years, weakening party cohesion and accountability.
The push follows growing discontent among Regional Chairmen, many of whom felt excluded from the appointment process after the 2024 elections. These concerns came to a head during a meeting at Jubilee House, where the Regional Chairmen demanded an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting to formalize the directive.
But the plan is already sparking fierce internal resistance. A number of national and regional executives currently hold influential board appointments and government roles. If enforced, the policy would force them to relinquish one of the two positions — a prospect that has left many uneasy.
Some of the affected appointees are particularly worried about losing political leverage. They fear that once they resign their party positions, they will be vulnerable to dismissal or reshuffling from government — leaving them with no solid footing in either structure.
“There’s real anxiety,” a senior party figure told this paper. “If they step down from party roles and are later removed from government, their influence in both spheres vanishes. That’s the fear.”
A party executive from the Upper West Region, who also holds a government appointment, described the move as “selfish and ridiculous.” He accused some national and regional executives of attempting to consolidate power ahead of internal elections.
“This decision can only be described as selfish and detrimental to NDC unity. If they ask us to resign, then those occupying board positions should also resign. The best solution is to hold an early congress and let the grassroots elect new officers. Any appointment without elections will lack legitimacy,” he warned.
Adding to the frustration is the comparison being drawn with the Opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP). Some appointees question why the NDC is adopting what they see as a divisive policy, while the NPP allows its officials to hold party and government roles concurrently without conflict.
“Look at Nana B,” one appointee argued, referencing former NPP National Youth Organizer, Nana Boakye. “He served as National Youth Organizer while also holding a government post as Deputy Director of the National Service Scheme. It didn’t bring confusion to their party — in fact, it strengthened their influence across both fronts. So why is the NDC choosing to create division between government and party?”
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