'I Won't Buy Votes' — Oppong-Fosu eyes NDC Chair, pushes grassroots renewal

Dr Akwasi Oppong-Fosu, former minister of Local Government has strongly hinted at contesting for the National Chairmanship of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) when nominations are opened. He declared that his possible candidature was driven by persistent appeals from influential groups within the party rather than personal ambition.

Speaking on Talk Time on Pan Africa TV on Saturday, July 4, 2026, the former Deputy Minister for Local Government and former District Chief Executive (DCE) for Obuasi said he considers the chairmanship race "another calling to serve," but stressed that he would only make a formal declaration after concluding extensive consultations with key stakeholders. “I see the chairmanship race as another calling to serve. I didn't conceive the idea myself; I am only responding to numerous calls from identifiable groups within the party” he stated.

According to Dr. Oppong-Fosu, consultations remain a critical part of the process, noting that President John Dramani Mahama, as leader of the party, and the current National Chairman are among those he intends to engage before taking a final decision."So far, the discussions have been encouraging because I have conducted myself well both in public and private service," he said. Reflecting on his political journey, Dr. Oppong-Fosu recounted being appointed the DCE for Obuasi at the age of 24 before later serving as DCE for Tepa, Deputy Minister for Local Government, and Member of Parliament for Amenfi East. He said each leadership role came through encouragement from others, reinforcing his belief that leadership is fundamentally about service.

Grassroots neglect must end
One of the strongest messages from the interview was his concern about the welfare of the party's grassroots supporters. Dr. Oppong-Fosu revealed that complaints from party members across the country suggest many grassroots supporters feel abandoned after the 2024 elections, a situation he believes demands urgent attention from both the government and the governing party.He argued that while elections inevitably create divisions, governing should unite all members behind a common national agenda."The party that gave birth to the government has a responsibility to keep faith with its base with a renewed sense of responsibility," he stressed.

Rejects vote-buying
Dr. Oppong-Fosu also took a firm stand against vote-buying in internal party elections, describing the growing monetisation of politics as dangerous to democratic leadership. While acknowledging that fundraising and campaign mobilisation are legitimate aspects of political competition, he drew a sharp distinction between raising campaign resources and using money to influence delegates. “I won't raise funds to buy votes. Leadership should be about trust, competence and accessibility—not money” he noted. He expressed confidence that many delegates would vote based on character and leadership qualities rather than financial inducements.

Unifier
Positioning himself as a unifier, Dr. Oppong-Fosu insisted he is not aligned with any faction or internal bloc within the NDC. He said throughout his public service career he has served faithfully regardless of who assigned him responsibilities, adding that he intends to remain a leader for every member of the party. "I want to be a leader for all," he declared. He explained that once consultations are completed, he would officially announce his intentions together with the team that would support his campaign.

NPP not ready for power
Dr. Oppong-Fosu also assessed Ghana's broader political landscape, arguing that the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) still faces significant public disapproval following its defeat in the 2024 general election.According to him, the NPP should not expect a return to government unless the NDC performs worse than its predecessor. "Until the NDC government performs worse than the NPP, the NPP should not think about returning to power," he said. He further suggested that the current leadership of the NPP does not appear prepared for governance and that many Ghanaians remain dissatisfied with the party's recent record in office.

Looking ahead
Although he stopped short of officially declaring his candidacy, Dr. Oppong-Fosu's interview leaves little doubt that he is seriously considering entering the race for the NDC National Chairmanship. His message centred on rebuilding trust with the party's grassroots, promoting internal unity, rejecting vote-buying, and offering what he described as principled and inclusive leadership. Should he formally enter the contest, his campaign is likely to focus on restoring confidence within the party while strengthening its organisational structures ahead of the 2028 general elections.

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