NDC won 2024 polls after dropping Haruna and Muntaka — Nketia

The Chairman of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has attributed the party’s strong performance in the 2024 general elections partly to strategic and difficult changes made to its parliamentary leadership in 2023.

Speaking in Tamale on May 22, he said the decision was necessary to respond to shifting political conditions.

“New things were emerging and I said that we have to change the forward line of Parliament, otherwise it will be difficult for us to win the election,” he stated.

He noted that as party chairman, he acted as a “coach” for the election campaign, insisting on the changes despite early resistance, including from President John Dramani Mahama.

“You have 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 said.

Asiedu Nketia added that although the move caused internal tension and was misinterpreted by some, it was purely aimed at strengthening the party.

He further said he later recommended that Haruna Iddrisu and Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak be considered for government roles after the election, a suggestion President Mahama accepted.

In 2023, the leadership of the NDC replaced Haruna Iddrisu with Cassiel Ato Forson, the Member of Parliament for Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam and former Ranking Member of the Finance Committee, as the new Minority Leader.

Armah Kofi Buah, MP for Ellembelle, succeeded James Klutse Avedzi, MP for Ketu North, as Deputy Minority Leader, while Kwame Agbodza, MP for Adaklu, replaced Muntaka Mubarak, MP for Asawase, as Minority Chief Whip.