Newly elected National Democratic Congress (NDC) Constituency Chairman for Kpone Katamanso according to provisional results, Haru Mahama, has pledged to tackle internal divisions and what he describes as “foreign politics” within the party, promising to reset what he considers a constituency in decline.
In an interview with NR NEWS following provisional results projecting him as the winner of Saturday’s constituency elections, Mr Mahama said his victory represented an opportunity to restore unity, rebuild the party’s grassroots structures and attract more people into its fold.
“It means a lot because I am seeing the constituency falling. Even though I see it as a victory for all, most important is the change, the target of change that we need to reset the constituency,” he said.
Mr Mahama acknowledged the efforts of the outgoing constituency executives but maintained that more needed to be done to strengthen the party and improve its organisational capacity.
“We all know the party has rules and regulations, but the current executive, they have done their best. I wouldn’t want to say they have not done their best, but their best is not enough to help the constituency or to help in growing the constituency,” he said.
He argued that the constituency needed renewed initiatives capable of motivating existing members while attracting others to join the party.
‘One family, one people, one common destiny’
Mr Mahama identified internal divisions as a major concern, saying the constituency was experiencing forms of political division he claimed had not previously characterised its internal affairs.
“There’s some of the doings, like the division, the foreign politics that we have never experienced, is what we are seeing,” he said.
He expressed confidence that his leadership could help reverse the trend and foster a stronger sense of belonging among party members.
“With my leadership, we can bring this great change that all party persons will be happy to see themselves as one family, one people and one common destiny,” he said.
He called on members and supporters to unite behind the constituency’s collective interests, arguing that internal cohesion was necessary to build a stronger political organisation.
His appeal for reconciliation comes as the party begins a new four-year leadership cycle following elections across its constituency structures.
NDC’s ‘birthplace’ deserves better
Mr Mahama also invoked Kpone Katamanso’s historical association with the NDC, describing the constituency as the party’s birthplace and arguing that its organisational infrastructure should reflect its importance.
“This has been the birth constituency of NDC. This is where NDC was given birth to,” he said, referring to the political activities of the party’s founder, former President Jerry John Rawlings.
He said Kpone Katamanso deserved stronger organisational structures and better facilities to support its political activities.
“NDC deserves better than what we are seeing,” he added.
No permanent party office despite electoral record
Among the issues he highlighted was the absence of a permanent constituency party office, despite his assertion that the NDC had not lost an election in Kpone Katamanso since 1992.
“As a constituency, from ’92, we’ve never lost an election, but today, as I’m talking to you, we do not have even a party office. We do have one that is a rented one,” he said.
Mr Mahama pledged to pursue the establishment of a permanent structure owned by the party, describing it as an important part of the change he hopes to deliver.
“I think the party deserves a permanent party structure that belongs to the NDC, National Democratic Congress,” he said.
He reiterated that his victory should mark a new chapter for the constituency, with unity, organisational renewal and improved facilities among his stated priorities.
Saturday’s election formed part of the NDC’s nationwide constituency-level reorganisation exercise, which covered 276 constituencies and involved thousands of aspirants seeking positions in the party’s grassroots leadership.
Voting in Kpone Katamanso commenced at 8:10 a.m. at the Kpone Methodist Park before proceedings continued at the Methodist School Park following discussions involving Greater Accra Regional Chairman Emmanuel Ashie Moore and Electoral Commission officials to allow additional time for delegates to vote.
Mr Mahama’s provisional victory places expectations on the incoming leadership to reconcile competing factions and translate its promise of change into practical measures to strengthen the constituency’s organisation.
By: Christian Kpesese
