NDC Accused Of Neglecting Footsoldiers 

There are growing tensions and confusions within the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) as the foot-soldiers or stalwarts whose toil and sweat to bring party back to power are accusing the leadership of the NDC of total a neglect.

According to the foot-soldiers and stalwarts,the leadership of the NDC government led by President John Dramani Mahama has not taken any efforts at satisfying foot-soldiers who sacrificed and worked for the victory of the party in the 2024 general elections.

They stated that the government appointees and National executives of the NDC have marginalised and neglected the loyal grassroots members to the extent thar they have even denied to pick phone calls.

They lamented that several efforts to get the support of government and party officials have been to no avail, saying that "we have now turned beggars since we are jobless and poor under the current.

Now President John Dramani Mahama,  leadership of the National Executives of the 

NDC and all government pointees made the footsoldiers look like beggars; they go round to beg for money,” they lamented. 

"We would like to send these strong wake up messages to the President, National Executives, and all appointees You were put in power by the grassroots, the real soldiers of this party. But today, many of you have forgotten us. You sit in air-conditioned offices, living large, while those who campaigned day and night are ignored, jobless, and disrespected.

"Let us be cleared that if the NDC continues to neglect the grassroots, then forget about 2028 general elections.Many national executives will lose their seats, because the very people who put you there are being taken for granted.

"You can’t win elections with empty slogans,you win with loyal foot soldiers who are now tired and angry. Where is the reward for loyalty?.Where is the empowerment for the youth? Where is the respect for branch and constituency officers who sacrificed everything?

"You cannot build a strong house and ignore the foundation.We are watching. We are talking. And if nothing changes,we will also act," the groups warned the leaders of the NDC.

A couple of weeks ago, the Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of GCB Bank PLC, Professor Joshua Alabi, has cautioned the party's leadership against neglecting loyal grassroot members. 

Professor Alabi expressed concern over the neglect of long-standing loyal party members in political appointments, urging the party's leadership to prioritize committed grassroots activists over opportunistic defectors.

According to Professor Alabi, the NDC's neglect of its loyal members could lead to political despondency, mistrust, and apathy within the party's rank and file. 

He pointed out that the party's massive loss in tertiary institution polling stations in the 2020 general elections served as a warning sign and must not be wished away, suggesting that the party's youth may be losing faith in the party's ability to deliver benefits to its loyal members.

"The NDC massively lost 69 polling stations and won only three in the last 2020 general elections in tertiary institutions," Professor Alabi revealed.

 "This is a strong signal to the governing NDC that if the youths who are to take over from us are losing 69 out of 72, then it is a threat to us in the NDC."

Professor Alabi urged the NDC leadership to reward loyalty and hard work, arguing that appointing committed members would yield both material and intrinsic benefits for the party's future. "Those who remained steadfast with the party, even in its darkest days, must be recognized and rewarded," he stressed.

Similarly, Mr. Augustus Goosie Tanoh, Presidential Advisor on the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programmes, issued a strong warning to the NDC leadership not to repeat the mistakes of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). "Accountable Governance" is a mandate not just for Presidential appointees, but for the party as a whole, he said.

"The state is not to be governed for private gains but for collective upliftment and the conquest of poverty in all its aspects," Mr. Tanoh advised. "Political parties are to be financed by their members and well-wishers through strict adherence to party finance laws and conventions that seek to secure transparency and accountability."

The warnings from Professor Alabi and Mr. Tanoh come as the NDC reflects on its future and seeks to rebuild its grassroots support.

 The party's leadership will need to take heed of these cautionary words if it hopes to maintain its relevance and appeal to Ghanaians.