Asiedu Nketiah Bows Out As NDC Chairman – 5 Big Names Battle For Position As Flagbearer Rumours Grow
Asiedu Nketiah Bows Out As NDC Chairman – 5 Big Names Battle For Position As Flagbearer Rumours Grow
Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, the veteran politician popularly known as General Mosquito, will not seek another term as National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), according to a confirmation from the party’s Congress Elections Committee.
The decision, which has sent shockwaves through the NDC and Ghana’s political landscape, opens the way for a fierce new contest for the party’s top administrative position, with five heavyweight aspirants already listed as contenders after nominations closed last Wednesday.
The development has also fuelled intense speculation that Asiedu Nketiah may be preparing to contest the NDC presidential flagbearership next year ahead of the 2028 general elections. However, the report does not confirm that he has formally declared such an intention.
Who Are The 5 Aspirants For NDC Chairman?
According to the party’s Congress Elections Committee spokesperson, Dr. Peter Boamah Otokunor, five aspirants have picked nomination forms to contest the National Chairmanship position that Asiedu Nketiah is vacating.
They are:
1. Edwin Nii Lantey Vanderpuye – Former Member of Parliament for Odododiodio and former Minister for Youth and Sports. A grassroots favourite known for his strong connection with the youth.
2. Nii Armah Ashietey – Former Member of Parliament for Korle Klottey and former Greater Accra Regional Minister under President Mahama. A seasoned politician with deep roots in Accra politics.
3. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo – Former National Chairman of the NDC who lost to Asiedu Nketiah in 2022. He is seeking a comeback to reclaim the position he once held. Some party members reportedly picked nomination forms on his behalf.
4. Sofo Azorka (Chief Sofo Awudu Azorka) – Current National Vice Chairman of the NDC and a very popular figure in the party, especially in the northern regions. Known for his financial support and mobilization power.
5. Akwasi Opong-Fosu – Former Minister for Local Government and Rural Development under President Mahama. A respected elder and strategist within the party.
The battle for National Chairman is expected to be one of the most competitive in NDC history, as the position is the highest administrative role in the party, responsible for steering party affairs, organizing elections, and maintaining unity.
General Secretary Position Also Hot – Fifi Kwetey To Be Challenged
While the Chairman race is hot, the General Secretary position will also be contested. Incumbent General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, who has been serving since 2022, will face a challenge from Stephen Donkor.
Fifi Kwetey, a former Member of Parliament for Ketu South and former Minister, has been credited with reorganizing the NDC’s administrative structures and playing a key role in the party’s victory in the 2024 general elections.
His challenger, Stephen Donkor, is a lesser-known but ambitious party organizer who believes the party needs new energy at the General Secretary position.
Huge Filing Fees Announced – Chairman Aspirants To Pay GH¢100,000
In a related development, Dr. Otokunor told the Daily Graphic that aspirants have 14 days to complete and submit their nomination forms, pay the relevant filing fees, and secure the required endorsements under Sections 10 and 15 of the NDC’s 2026 congress guidelines.
The party’s Functional Executive Committee (FEC) has approved fees for 14 national executive positions, and the fees are raising eyebrows among party members.
According to the approved fees:
– National Chairmanship: GH¢100,000 (Highest)
– General Secretary: GH¢80,000
– National Organiser: GH¢70,000
– National Vice Chairman: GH¢60,000
– Deputy General Secretary: GH¢60,000
– National Communication Officer: GH¢50,000
– National Youth Organiser: GH¢40,000
– National Zongo Caucus Coordinator: GH¢40,000
– Deputy Organiser positions, National and Deputy Women’s Organiser: GH¢30,000 each
– National Executive Committee (NEC) Member: GH¢10,000 (Lowest)
All aspirants must also pay GH¢2,000 to obtain a nomination form.
However, in a move to encourage inclusivity, the party announced that female candidates and persons with disabilities are entitled to pay only half (50%) of the approved filing fees for most positions, with exceptions applying to the women’s organiser roles.
This means a woman contesting for National Chairman will pay GH¢50,000 instead of GH¢100,000, while a person with disability will enjoy the same discount.
Timetable For NDC Congress Released
Dr. Otokunor also released the full timetable for the NDC’s internal elections leading to the national congress:
– Vetting of Aspirants: November 12 and 13, 2026
– Appeals after vetting: November 15 and 16, 2026
– Youth and Women’s Conference: December 12, 2026
– National Delegates Congress: December 19, 2026
The congress on December 19 will determine the party officials who will oversee the NDC’s national administration and organisational activities for the next four years and will lead the party into the crucial 2028 general elections where the NDC will be seeking to retain power.
Is Asiedu Nketiah Eyeing Flagbearer Position?
The biggest question on the minds of political observers is why Asiedu Nketiah is stepping aside as Chairman.
Many political analysts in Ghana believe General Mosquito, who has served the NDC in various capacities since 1992 – as MP, General Secretary, and National Chairman – is now eyeing the ultimate prize: the NDC flagbearer position.
With President John Dramani Mahama expected to finish his second term (2024-2028) and not eligible to contest again under the NDC constitution for 2028, the flagbearer race is wide open.
Names being mentioned as potential flagbearer aspirants include:
– Johnson Asiedu Nketiah
– Julius Debrah (Chief of Staff)
– Haruna Iddrisu (Former Minority Leader)
– Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson
– Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
If Asiedu Nketiah indeed contests, it will be the biggest political battle in NDC history, as he is one of the most experienced and feared strategists in Ghanaian politics.
However, as Dr. Otokunor clarified, Asiedu Nketiah has not yet formally declared his intention to contest for flagbearer. His decision not to seek re-election as Chairman only fuels the speculation.
What This Means For NDC Grassroots In Kasoa
For NDC members in Kasoa and the Awutu Senya East constituency, the upcoming national congress is very important. The national executives to be elected will decide who becomes constituency and regional executives, who gets appointed to government positions, and how party resources are distributed.
Delegates from Kasoa will travel to Accra on December 19 to vote for the next National Chairman and other executives.
Follow http://KasoaNews.com for more breaking NDC congress news, chairman race updates, and Ghana politics from Kasoa.
