Tension is mounting within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) following reports that several government appointees are preparing to contest for key party positions without complying with a directive requiring them to resign months ahead of internal elections.
Information reaching Overseer Media indicates that a number of appointees are unwilling to step down from their government roles, despite an established party guideline that mandates any appointee seeking elective office within the party to resign at least six months before contesting.
The policy, reiterated by NDC General Secretary Fifi Kwetey, was introduced as part of broader efforts to ensure fairness in internal contests and to create opportunities for other party faithful to benefit from government appointments.
Mr. Kwetey emphasized that the rule was intended to prevent undue advantage and promote equity within the party’s internal democratic processes.
However, the directive appears to be facing resistance.
Among those reportedly eyeing positions without plans to resign is Abigail Elorm Akwambea Mensah, Chief Executive Officer of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), who is said to be nursing ambitions to become the NDC’s National Women’s Organizer.
Similarly, Abass Nurudeen, Chief Executive Officer of the Social Investment Fund, is reportedly interested in contesting for the position of National Communications Officer but is also unwilling to relinquish his current role.
In the Greater Accra Region, Comrade Amorse Blessing Amos, also known as “The Oracle” and currently serving as Acting Deputy Administrator of the E-Waste Management Fund, is said to be preparing a bid for the position of Regional Secretary.
Sources further indicate that several Regional Organisers of the party, many of whom are currently serving as presidential staffers, are also seeking re-election without stepping down from their government positions.
The development has triggered sharp reactions within the party, with some executives warning of dire consequences if the rules are not enforced.
Critics argue that the NDC’s national leadership risks being perceived as “toothless bulldogs” should they fail to uphold guidelines proposed by the Functional Executive Committee and approved by the National Executive Committee.
“How can one hold a position that many unemployed NDC members are willing to take and still want to contest as party executives? It is only greed and insensitivity that will make one combine the two,” some aggrieved party executives fumed.
The controversy has also sparked debate over consistency in the application of party rules.
While some insist strict enforcement is necessary to maintain discipline and fairness, others argue the guideline is discriminatory if not applied uniformly across all appointees.
Those in support of allowing appointees to contest without resigning have pointed to precedents within the party.
They cite the example of Haruna Iddrisu, who simultaneously served as a Member of Parliament and NDC Youth Organizer, as well as Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, who held the roles of Member of Parliament and National Organizer before later becoming National Chairman.
Supporters argue that these examples demonstrate that holding dual roles is not unprecedented and should not automatically disqualify current appointees from contesting.
Nevertheless, opponents maintain that the current directive is necessary to expand access to government appointments and reduce the concentration of power among a few individuals.
