-TikTok cadres cry foul
as Regional Chairman hands car and cash to old loyalists,
By Gifty Boateng
The Ashanti Regional branch of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) has moved to reward old loyalists and pacify restive young communicators, handing a brand-new car to long-serving regional communicator Wallace Ababio and GH¢20,000 to an elderly party office worker known as Abaa.
The presentation, made days ago at the regional party office by Regional Chairman Nana Akwasi Augustus Andrews, was billed as recognition for years of service. Beneficiaries included a 76-year-old man and an elderly woman. The event doubled as an engagement with young communicators who were central to the 2024 campaign but have grown disgruntled and vocal on social media, particularly TikTok.
Those present included Frafra DJ (twin brothers Ayambila and Abambila), Amazingboy, Opee Amoako, US Blogger and Under Cover.
Andrews said the car and cash came neither from government coffers nor mining proceeds but from contributions by party members. He said Ababio had served as a regional communicator through the party’s years in opposition, had been mocked for gaining nothing, and had seen a school he opened collapse because of his open NDC affiliation.
“I am acting on behalf of the executives… We will not wait for him to die before we honour him,” Andrews said. “We want to honour him while he is alive so that it will encourage others to serve the party well. This is not government money, and this is not illegal mining money. It is our contribution.”
Ababio, receiving the vehicle documents, thanked the chairman and prayed other party members would be rewarded in due time. Abaa’s GH¢20,000 followed an earlier gift of a tricycle, known locally as “aboboyaa”, to another member.
But the ceremony did little to mask underlying tension. Young communicators have accused the government particularly Minister for Government Communications Felix Kwakye Ofosu of sidelining them despite their contribution to the 2024 victory.
Opee Amoako, who commands over a million followers, said the NDC’s treatment of its own media personnel was a long-standing problem, recalling similar treatment during President John Mahama’s first term.
He argued social media now delivers 50 percent of electoral victory in Ghana, and accused NDC leaders of preferring opponents’ platforms. He cited the 2020 campaign when Mahama appeared on Abusua FM and the station was taken off air, forcing the interview to continue at Ultimate Radio.
The issue was first brought to public attention by influential NDC TikToker SammyBa.
The Ashanti Region is widely regarded as the stronghold of the opposition New Patriotic Party. Rewarding loyalists there is intended to signal that service pays.
The risk for the NDC is that a car and cash for the old guard may not quiet a younger, digitally mobilised cadre that believes it won the narrative war and has been left out of the peace.
The party’s ability to manage that grievance will shape its ground game in a region where it cannot afford to lose its loudest online voices.