The Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has described as reasonable a suggestion by former President Jerry John Rawlings for the party to elect new leaders ahead of the 2020 general election.
“To the extent that the party has to run fresh election it shall take place,” Koku Anyidoho said, adding that the process for the party’s branch, regional and national elections will begin in earnest.
The founder of the NDC, former president Jerry John Rawlings has called for a change in the leadership of the party.
At a gathering on Sunday in Wa in the Upper West Region to mark the 38th anniversary of the June 4, 1979 uprising, former president Rawlings said the party lost the 2016 election because it abandoned the June 4 values.
The strength of the NDC, he noted was found in the values of probity, justice and accountability which he said inspired him and others to topple a military regime in 1979.
He was emphatic the NDC would be able to win the 2020 election if it elects new leaders.
Mr. Anyidohu said the founder’s call for the election of new set of leaders for the party was a “fair comment”.
He said although the former president’s suggestion for new leader would improve the party’s fortune in the 2020 election, the ultimate decision rests with the party’s delegates.
“It is his personal view, as to whether it will translate at the time of election we shall see,” he said.
On his part, a lecture at the Political Science Department of the University of Ghana, Dr Alidu Seidu said it might not be politically good for the NDC to choose a new leader.
He said former president Rawlings has to work with the party hierarchy to inculcate the values of the June 4 in NDC members.
“I think it is about imbibing in these people the values that are needed, it is about educating them,” he noted.
He said the NDC risked losing its core values without respect for the founder of the party.
Another political science lecturer, Professor Ransford Gyampo was of the view that despite the public criticism of the NDC by ex-president Rawlings, the party should give him the necessary respect.
“NDC must respect Rawlings while Rawlings must also respect the party he founded,” Prof. Gyampo, who is also a Fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) said on Monday.
Prof Gyampo’s advice followed comments by the former President that Ghanaians booted the NDC out of office because of sickening greed, selfishness, and corruption.
Former President Rawlings described the current situation within the NDC as a “betrayal of the values of June 4″, which are probity, transparency, and accountability.
Flt. Lt. Rawlings said the NDC needed a complete overhaul.
However, the Central Region Chairman of the NDC, Allotey Jacobs, has since described former president Rawlings’ comments as an attempt to control the party.
He said ex-president Rawlings should play his role as a founder by addressing issues of concern in-camera.