The accusation that H.E. John Dramani Mahama’s Presidency detached from the NDC party structure and failed to recognize the grassroots does not stand up to scrutiny. Contrary to these claims, the Flagstaff House has been steadfast in nurturing the party structure at its base and ensuring that those who formed the NDC foundation do not feel sidelined.
Consultations with Party Structures is being held since President Mahama took office, regular consultations and engagements have been held with the national, regional and constituency executives in selection of appointees, employment and recruitment of party members into various institutions. The presidency have been engaged in social interactions through the leadership of the party which serve as a forum for branch and constituency executives to directly communicate issues to the Presidency. Far from an inaccessible presidency, Flagstaff House has been kept open to party faithfuls of different echelons.
Party Structure Funding:
The Presidency is sustaining the party’s work through consistent monthly support to every constituency and region. We therefore expect equal commitment from all appointees by championing and reciprocating the President’s goals within the party structure.
Appointments Based on Grassroots input:
A significant number of government and state institutions are headed by people nominated from party executives at the constituency and regional levels, this reflects the desire of the Presidency to reward loyal party faithfuls who have tirelessly worked for the party’s victory and built up the party at the base, ensuring such people are in positions of service to the nation and the grassroots.
Policy Initiatives Guided by NDC Manifesto:
The Government’s policy decisions are guided by the NDC manifesto which was drafted with the participation of party faithful across the country. The key policies on infrastructure development, education, health and employment have all been commitments that were made to the people at the grassroots during the campaign trail and, as we speak, these policies are being pursued by the government led from the Flagstaff House. The pursuit of these policies is a direct way of supporting the party base.
Communication and feedback channels:
No issue has been too small to fall on President Mahama’s deaf ears as far as the problems faced at the grassroots are concerned. The feedback system at the party is kept alive through regional ministers, party liaison officers and presidential forums to keep the party base connected to the presidency.
For a example; the deputy general secretary of the NDC party has been intentionally appointed for senior operational and political liaison position within the Presidency to serves as the bridge between the NDC party structure and government which is to be described as a strategic move to ensure seamless synergy between the party and government to
focus on keeping the party base connected.
Conclusion
The view that Flagstaff House under H. E John Mahama is detached from the party framework fundamentally miscomprehends the relationship between government and the party structure. Governing requires managing a variety of interests, while the party at the base is the engine of its electoral success. The argument can thus not be made that the Presidency under President Mahama has neglected the foundation of the NDC and left those who form the backbone of the party in the cold, within the constraints of governing a country with a constitution.
The NDC has always succeeded based on the close ties with people at the branch and constituency levels, a characteristic that President Mahama still upholds.
By Famous Kwesi Kuadugah
Former MP aspirant
