By Prince Ahenkorah
The political landscape in Ghana is buzzing with controversy as Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the newly-elected National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), embarks on what is officially termed a “Thank You Tour.”
The initiative, however, is raising serious concerns and has ignited speculation that it is a calculated move to give the chairman a significant head start in a future presidential race.
Reports from inside the NDC suggest that while the tour is being presented as an act of gratitude for the party’s landslide victory in the 2024 general elections, it is, in fact, a strategic effort to consolidate his political base ahead of other potential presidential candidates.
An aide to the chairman, Justice Yeboah, is on the defensive, maintaining that the tour is a genuine show of appreciation to the Ghanaian people. According to Yeboah, the tour is a fulfillment of a promise Asiedu Nketia made to break with the tradition of politicians who neglect their constituents after securing victory.
“Chairman Asiedu Nketia wants to correct the long-standing culture where politicians find ways to reach hard-to-access areas only during campaign seasons and disappear once elections are over,” Yeboah stated.
But this explanation has done little to quell the skepticism. Analysts and party insiders believe the tour is a classic maneuver to test the political waters and build momentum for a future presidential bid.
The tour, which is scheduled to take place from September 17 to 19, 2025, will see the chairman visit 16 constituencies in the Eastern Region—a move seen as an attempt to expand his influence beyond his traditional strongholds.
The political gambit has reportedly caused unease within the party, with other potential presidential aspirants concerned about the unfair advantage the chairman is creating for himself.
As the tour rolls out, all eyes remain on Asiedu Nketia to see if this is a mere gesture of thanks or the beginning of a larger, more ambitious political project.