Former Member of Parliament for Tamale Central and ex-Minister for Roads and Highways, Inusah Fuseini, has publicly endorsed Akwasi Opong-Fosu's bid to become the next National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Fuseini described the party's strength as rooted in its grassroots and called for a leadership renewal built on integrity and unity.
This endorsement arrives as the race to succeed the party's current leadership intensifies. The NDC is preparing for its next organizational elections, which will determine its national executives. Opong-Fosu's campaign, centered on a "reset agenda," aligns with Fuseini's call for restoring party values and renewing its mindset.
The backing from a prominent figure like Fuseini provides significant momentum for Opong-Fosu. Fuseini, a two-time Cabinet minister and 15-year parliamentarian, retired from active electoral politics in 2020. His support carries considerable weight within the NDC, given his long-standing service and influence.
In a statement shared on his Facebook page, Fuseini argued that the NDC's next chapter must draw on experience and a recommitment to the party's founding values. He stated that restoring confidence and repositioning the NDC for the future required a collective effort. Fuseini concluded his message with a direct call to action: "Akwasi Opong-Fosu for National Chairman."
Akwasi Opong-Fosu brings extensive experience to the contest. He holds the record as Ghana's longest-serving District Chief Executive, with 18 years in the role. He has also served as former Head of the Local Government Service and a former Member of Parliament for Amenfi East. Furthermore, Opong-Fosu held ministerial portfolios in three different government departments, including Local Government and Environment.
Opong-Fosu has spent recent weeks engaging in consultations with various party stakeholders. His campaign's "reset agenda" resonates with the broader sentiment for change and revitalization within the NDC. This approach seeks to address internal challenges and prepare the party for future electoral contests.
Fuseini's endorsement adds a prominent voice to Opong-Fosu's growing coalition of supporters. Opong-Fosu, a founding member of the NDC with over four decades in Ghanaian public life, has already shown early strength. A recent online poll by Today.com.gh positioned him as an early frontrunner, ahead of other potential candidates like former MP Nii Lante Vanderpuye and former National Chairman Samuel Ofosu Ampofo.
The internal elections for the NDC's national executives are crucial for the party's strategic direction. The outcome will shape its approach to national politics and its preparations for upcoming general elections. The contest for National Chairman is particularly significant, as this role plays a pivotal part in party organization and leadership.
The emphasis on integrity and unity, as highlighted by Fuseini, reflects a desire within the party for strong, principled leadership. This focus on foundational values aims to strengthen the NDC's appeal to its base and the broader Ghanaian electorate. The coming months will reveal how these endorsements and campaign strategies influence the final outcome of the NDC's organizational elections.