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0 The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, says his ongoing Thank You Tour is an opportunity to reconnect with party supporters across the country, as he recalls years of intense political battles and challenges in the Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam constituency of the Central Region.
Addressing party supporters on Thursday, 13 February, Mr Asiedu Nketia portrayed the constituency as both a political battleground and a personal stronghold, recalling long-standing alliances, courtroom disputes and tense election contests.
“I came here this morning, and as the constituency chairman and the regional chairman have already said, I have come to my very own people,” he declared. “I have had a long-standing relationship with this constituency.”
Roots of a Political Bond
Mr Asiedu Nketia traced his connection to the area to his friendship with the late Dr Joseph Kweku Enos, whom he first met in Parliament.
“It all started with Dr Enos, who has sadly passed on. I first met him in Parliament, and from there we became very good friends. It was a strong and meaningful relationship,” he said.
According to him, that relationship drew him into one of the constituency’s most turbulent political periods. He recounted how Dr Enos was unseated during an election by a political opponent he referred to as “Edumadze.”
“At a point, during an election, an ‘elephant’ called Edumadze emerged. He unseated Dr Enos and took the seat from him. For four years, we went to court countless times,” he stated.
Although Dr Enos eventually won the legal challenge, Mr Asiedu Nketia said parliamentary proceedings had concluded, preventing him from returning to the House.
“When Edumadze assumed office, it was through forceful means. Elections in the constituency became aggressive. The name Edumadze symbolises stagnation—wherever there was progress, it was halted,” he alleged, adding that despite later serving as a regional minister, “we saw no meaningful development in the Ajumako constituency. ”
Encouraging Ato Forson’s Return
Mr Asiedu Nketia said a significant turning point came during his tenure as NDC General Secretary, when he met Cassiel Ato Forson, then a young entrepreneur based in the United States.
“Around that time, I met a young man called Ato Forson. He was working in the United States as an entrepreneur. We had a conversation, and he told me he was from this constituency and was interested in politics,” he recounted.
Describing the political climate at the time, he said, “I told him that we were in a very difficult situation, as there was a man in the Ajumako Constituency who was suppressing everything and stifling all progress.”
He encouraged Dr Forson to return to Ghana and contest the seat. “I believed he was the one who could overthrow him. That was how Ato Forson came into the picture,” he added.
Tensions in the 2020 Elections
Mr Asiedu Nketia alleged that since entering Parliament, Dr Forson had been persistently targeted by the New Patriotic Party (NPP), particularly during election periods.
“Whenever elections were approaching, it was as though the Ajumako Constituency had its own special budget dedicated to removing Ato Forson from office,” he claimed.
Recounting the 2020 general election, he said the atmosphere in the constituency became highly charged.
“If you recall, in 2020, vehicles were hired, accompanied by soldiers and heavily built men, who were brought into the constituency. At that time, I was in the Ashanti Region,” he said.
He described receiving a call from Dr Forson amid the tension. “Ato called me and said, ‘General, the situation has become very tense and difficult. Where are you?’ I explained where I was and told him it would be difficult to arrive immediately.”
“I therefore guided him over the phone and advised him on what to do. I assured him that, whatever the case, they could never defeat him,” he added.
According to Mr Asiedu Nketia, opponents had already identified Dr Forson as a rising force within the NDC. “They had formed the view that he would become a prominent and important figure for the NDC, and any plans they had against him were intended to destroy him politically.”
Leadership Choices and Internal Resistance
Following Dr Forson’s return to Parliament, Mr Asiedu Nketia was elected National Chairman of the NDC. Before assuming office, he said he consulted Dr Forson, who supported him.
“When I took office and observed quietly, I realised I was going into a battle. I said that if the party entrusted me with leadership, I would lead it to victory. But if I am the coach, then I must be allowed to select my own formation for the match.”
He continued, “If I fail, then the blame should be placed on me. However, I knew that if I was given the mandate to choose my own team, defeat would not be an option.”
After what he described as careful consideration, he appointed Dr Forson as leader of the party in Parliament, with Kofi Armah Buah as his deputy and Governs Kwame Agbodza as whip.
“I told Ato that if he failed, it would mean he had finished General Mosquito. Therefore, they had to work hard, and I would support them fully so that we would emerge victorious,” he said.
The decision, he acknowledged, drew sharp criticism from within the party. “Because of this decision, I received many insults. Some people even demonstrated against me. Some party elders urged me to reconsider my decision. But I stood by my choice because I knew why I had selected those individuals.”
“I made it clear that if we proceeded and lost, I would resign. They should be allowed to do their work,” he added.
Court Battles and 2024 Campaign
Mr Asiedu Nketia also addressed legal proceedings brought against Dr Forson.
“As events unfolded, the NPP alleged that Ato had misused funds, and he was arrested and taken to court,” he said. “I spoke to him and said, ‘Ato, they are doing all of this to undermine the victory we seek.’”
He said he urged Dr Forson to remain steadfast. “I advised him to remain firm and assured him that we would confront them politically in the constituency and make it clear that there was nothing they could do to him.”
Reaffirming his support, he declared, “Nobody can touch Ato Forson, not even a hair on his head. Nobody can imprison him unjustly.”
He maintained that the allegations ultimately lost momentum and did not derail the party’s efforts.
Turning to the 2024 general election campaign, Mr Asiedu Nketia said the NDC remained focused despite skepticism about its parliamentary prospects.
“Some people said that even if we won the presidency, if we did not secure enough parliamentary seats, the party would be ridiculed,” he noted.
“I responded by saying that the presidential campaign should be led by the president and his vice, while the parliamentary campaign should be entrusted to me. If my test was to secure parliamentary seats, then I understood the assignment, and I would deliver to prove that I had passed that test.”
The visit formed part of the NDC’s nationwide Thank You Tour following the 2024 general elections, which saw the party return to power after winning the presidential contest.
The tour is intended to appreciate party supporters, review campaign strategies, and strengthen internal structures across constituencies.
Mr Nketia, however, encouraged supporters to remain hopeful and committed as the party works to consolidate its gains and improve its performance nationwide.
