The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, says he is leaving the party in a stronger position than he found it when he assumed office in December 2022.

He said the retention of key members of the party’s national leadership was an indication that the team had delivered on its mandate, expressing satisfaction with the work done during his tenure.

Speaking in an interview with JoyNews on Friday, November 13, Mr Asiedu Nketia said he was particularly pleased that the party had maintained some experienced hands in key positions.

“I’m happy that even at the national level, this is about the first time that we are retaining key people in their positions. It is a recognition that this team has done what is expected of us,” he said.

Reflecting on his election as chairman at the party’s 2022 National Delegates Congress at the Accra Sports Stadium, he recalled the commitment he made to lead the NDC through what he described as a difficult political period.

He said his team had faced a government that, in his assessment, was determined to hold on to power and had the financial and state security resources to do so.

“When we were elected at the sports stadium, I gave a commitment on behalf of my team that we are in to fight a very difficult battle because we had a government that was unyielding and was prepared to use money, prepared to use the coercive forces of state, and so on,” he said.

Mr Asiedu Nketia said the team remained resolute despite the challenges, insisting that determination among party members was more powerful than the resources available to those in government.

“I did say that the most powerful army in the world cannot defeat people who are determined to change their circumstances for the better,” he said.

He added that he had confidence in the people he worked with and was satisfied that their efforts had helped the party return to government.

A handover he says he is proud of

The outgoing chairman said his greatest satisfaction was not simply the political gains made under his leadership but the state of the party’s organisation at the end of his tenure.

He said he had sought to leave the party’s headquarters and structures in better condition than he inherited them.

“My satisfaction is that I’m leaving the NDC headquarters better than how I came to meet it. And that is what gives me my satisfaction,” he said.

Mr Asiedu Nketia was elected NDC National Chairman in December 2022, defeating incumbent Samuel Ofosu Ampofo at the party’s 10th National Delegates Congress. Before then, he had served as the party’s General Secretary for 17 years.

He has decided not to seek another term as chairman, bringing his current leadership tenure to an end as the party prepares to elect new national executives at its December 19, 2026, delegates congress.

The party’s ongoing executive election process has already produced some uncontested positions. Incumbent General Secretary Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, National Organiser Joseph Yammin and Communications Officer Godwin Ako Gunn are among those who have no opponents after vetting.

The congress will determine the next team to lead the NDC as it prepares for the next phase of its political activities.