A political scientist at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Dr Kwasi Amakye Boateng, says recent comments involving National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah and Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu are unlikely to create major divisions within the governing party.
His comments follow growing public discussion over what many political observers describe as subtle tension between the two senior NDC figures.
The debate began after Mr Iddrisu described President John Dramani Mahama’s recent post-election engagements as the “proper” thank you tour, a remark widely interpreted as an indirect response to Mr Asiedu Nketiah’s separate nationwide thank you tour.
Earlier, Mr Asiedu Nketiah had defended the party’s decision to replace Mr Iddrisu and Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak as Minority Leaders ahead of the 2024 general elections. According to him, the reshuffle contributed significantly to the NDC’s electoral victory.
He also disclosed that he personally advised President Mahama to appoint both men to ministerial positions after the party’s victory in the elections.
Speaking during one of President Mahama’s engagements in the Savannah Region, Mr Iddrisu appeared to downplay the significance of Mr Asiedu Nketiah’s separate tour.
“I recall when the President came for his thank you tour, not the other thank you tour. I mean the proper thank you tour, not the curtain raiser one,” he stated.
The exchange has since sparked speculation about possible divisions within the NDC ahead of the party’s anticipated contest to select a presidential candidate for the 2028 elections.
However, speaking Joy FM’S Midday News, Dr Amakye Boateng described such disagreements as common in political parties, especially during periods of internal competition.
According to him, political contests naturally create factions and differing loyalties among party members. He added that the situation only becomes problematic when individuals openly intensify tensions.
Dr Amakye Boateng further noted that the NDC has existed long enough to understand how to manage internal disagreements without destabilising the party.
