John Boadu comes nowhere near Asiedu Nketiah in terms of pedigree, gravitas, value to match NDC – Asante Otchere

Political analyst Dr Jonathan Asante Otchere has questioned the political stature of newly elected New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Chairman John Boadu, arguing that he does not compare favourably with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah.

Dr Asante Otchere's comments followed the election of new national executives of the NPP at the party's National Delegates Conference held at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on October 3.

Speaking on Channel One Newsroom with Nana Tuffour Boateng on Sunday, October 4, he said the two chairmen would provide a useful basis for comparison, particularly if Mr Asiedu Nketiah did not pursue the NDC's presidential slot.

“I have nothing personal against the chairman that has been elected. But you will have to contextualise what he's bringing on board,” he said.

“Put the two together and you tell me whether John Boadu comes even halfway in terms of pedigree, in terms of gravitas, in terms of value with respect to Mr Asiedu Nketiah,” he added.

The political analyst also raised questions about the circumstances surrounding Mr Boadu's return to the NPP national leadership after he was previously unsuccessful in his bid for the party's national executive position.

He suggested that the considerations that led delegates to reject him previously may not have changed significantly, arguing that internal political dynamics played a greater role in his latest victory than his competence.

“I think that the only reason why John Boadu was elected is not about competency. It's about the fact that Mr Boakye Agyarko annoys the system,” he said.

Dr Asante Otchere further maintained that former Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko could compete with Mr Asiedu Nketiah in areas such as communication, articulation and professional pedigree.

He also drew a comparison between the NPP's re-elected General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, and his NDC counterpart, Fifi Kwetey.

According to him, the differing profiles of the respective national executives of the NPP and NDC should form part of the broader assessment of the leadership and political strength of Ghana's two major political parties.