Oppong-Fosu declares NDC National Chairmanship bid, outlines three-point vision

Dr Akwasi Oppong-Fosu is a former Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Dr Akwasi Oppong-Fosu, a former Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, has formally declared his intention to contest the National Chairmanship of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), outlining a three-point vision of “restoration, renewal and reset” for the party. Dr Oppong-Fosu said his decision followed extensive consultations with the party’s grassroots, regional caucuses, elders and other stakeholders, stressing that his candidature was driven by a desire to serve rather than seek personal recognition. “I have decided to offer myself for service to this great party,” he said. “It’s not about convenience. It’s not about recognition. It’s not about glory or status. It’s about conviction, service, and sacrifice,” Dr Oppong-Fosu announced in Accra on Thursday. He said the first pillar, restoration, would involve returning the NDC to “its foundational values of probity, accountability and social justice.” Under renewal, he proposed strengthening the party’s structures and methods of organisation, political education, research, technology, communication and data, while deliberately preparing young people and women for leadership. The third pillar, reset, would seek to improve the party’s internal systems, strengthen weak structures, rebuild communication, address exclusion and repair strained relationships. Dr Oppong-Fosu said it was time the NDC moved from personality-driven politics towards stronger institutions capable of outlasting individual leaders. “Individuals will come and go. Executives will change. But the NDC must endure,” he said. He also proposed greater unity within the party, saying internal competition and political ambition were legitimate but should not lead to permanent divisions. “There must be no permanent winners and no permanent losers. At the end of every internal election, the NDC itself must emerge stronger,” he said. Dr Oppong-Fosu, who has served in local government, Parliament, ministerial positions and international local-government institutions, said his experience had equipped him to manage competing interests and build consensus. He pledged to strengthen the branches and constituencies, which he described as the “heartbeat of the NDC”, and improve systems for recognising members’ service and contribution. Source: GhanaWeb