Comrade, Let’s Return the NDC to Its True Values

Comrade,

If you are reading this, you are likely one of the people who wake up early, walk from house to house, put up posters, and argue for the NDC in trotros, ghettos, and markets. You are the engine of this party. Yet somewhere along the line, many of us have been made to believe the NDC is only about big men, money, and “who chop what.”

That is not the truth. Let me remind you what the NDC actually stands for — so you never forget your power.

1. PROBITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY — YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO ASK QUESTIONS

This is the first value our founder, the late President Jerry John Rawlings, stood for. Anyone who holds power in the NDC — from branch executives to MPs — must account for it.

For the ordinary party member, this means you should never fear asking:

• “Where is the money for this project?”
• “Why was this decision taken without us?”

If you defend wrongdoing because someone gave you 100 cedis, you betray the party's soul. Your loyalty is to the NDC and the people, not to anyone's pocket.

2. SOCIAL JUSTICE — THE POOR MUST COME FIRST

We call ourselves social democrats. In simple terms, the NDC exists to reduce the gap between the rich and the poor.

Our policies on education, health, jobs, and the 24-hour economy are meant to uplift the ordinary Ghanaian who has no connections. This is the heartbeat of the grassroots. If a leader enriches himself while the base suffers, he is going against the very foundation of the NDC.

3. TRANSPARENCY AND INTEGRITY — NO SECRET DEALS

At 32 years, the party has declared its pillars clearly: integrity, transparency, and service to humanity.

This means:

• Deals must be open.
• Appointments must be based on merit.
• Corruption must be condemned — even when it is “our own.”

If we keep quiet because we received a small favour today, we destroy the party's future.

4. PARTICIPATORY DEMOCRACY — YOUR VOICE MATTERS

The NDC was built as a party where the grassroots have a say, not a party where five big men sit in a room and decide everything.

You are not just a crowd for rallies. You are the party.

If your branch is ignored, if your views never reach the top, that is not the NDC Rawlings built. Speak up. Vote for people who listen, not just those who share money.

5. SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE, NOT SELF

Our General Secretary, Hon. Fifi Kwetey, said it plainly: the NDC is a platform for national transformation, not personal advancement.

If you join the party only for what you can get, you will always be disappointed. But if you join to serve and hold leaders accountable, you will help keep the NDC strong. Many people misunderstood his message — but it was the truth.

SO WHAT MUST WE DO, COMRADE?

1. Stop defending individuals over values.

If an NDC member steals, say it is wrong. That is not betrayal — that is loyalty to the party.

2. Demand structures, not peanuts.

Fight for jobs, roads, schools, and fair processes. Those last longer than 200 cedis.

3. Go back to the books.

Read Rawlings. Read the party constitution. When you know the values, nobody can deceive you.

The big men need you more than you need them. Without the grassroots, there is no NDC. Let us reclaim the party by living the values it was built on: probity, accountability, social justice, transparency, and service.

If we do this, the ordinary party member will stop being used — and start being respected.

LONG LIVE THE NDC. LONG LIVE GHANA.

By Ibrahim Hardi Landlord, NDC Grassroots Member