The National Chairman of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has slammed the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) over what he describes as “hypocritical and tribalistic” rhetoric regarding local government appointments in the Ashanti Region.
Addressing a massive crowd in the Asawase constituency during the second phase of his regional “Thank You” tour, the NDC Chairman responded to recent criticisms from the NPP camp. The opposition has lately accused the NDC government of over-stepping by appointing individuals of Northern descent as Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to serve in the Ashanti Region.
The NPP had alleged that such appointments disregard the traditional and socio-political sensitivities of the Ashanti people. However, Mr. Asiedu Nketiah, popularly known as “General Mosquito,” did not mince words in his rebuttal, labeling the NPP’s stance as a desperate attempt to incite tribal sentiment.
“The NPP must stop this double-speak,” Asiedu Nketiah told the cheering supporters. “On one hand, they claim they are a party that rewards merit and hard work regardless of tribe. Yet, they turn around to complain when a competent Ghanaian who happens to be a Northerner is appointed to serve as an MMDCE in the Ashanti Region.”
The NDC Chairman further pointed out a glaring contradiction in the NPP’s current political platform. He noted that the opposition party’s own flagbearer is a Northerner who is seeking the mandate to govern not just a district or a region, but the entirety of Ghana including the Ashanti Region.
“How can you tell us that a Northerner is not fit to lead a district in the Ashanti Region, yet you are asking the people of the Ashanti Region to vote for your flagbearer, who is a Northerner, to lead the whole of Ghana?” Nketiah questioned. “It is either you believe in one Ghana where every citizen can serve anywhere, or you are simply playing tribal politics to hide your lack of a message.”
He emphasized that the NDC’s philosophy of governance is rooted in inclusivity and national unity. According to him, the governing party considers competence and the ability to deliver development as the primary criteria for appointments, rather than the ethnic background of the appointee.
Asiedu Nketiah urged the people of Asawase and the broader Ashanti Region to reject “divisive politics” and focus on the track record of the NDC government. He stated that the “Thank You” tour was just to show appreciation for previous support and to reassure the region that the NDC remains committed to equitable development across all sixteen regions of Ghana.
The second phase of the Chairman’s tour continues across the Ashanti Region, where he is expected to meet with traditional leaders, trade unions, and party faithful to consolidate the NDC’s presence in the region.
Eric Obeng Boateng
