Members of the Ashanti Regional branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Taskforce, who were deployed for election security during the 2024 elections, have expressed dissatisfaction with what they describe as neglect by the party leadership.
According to the taskforce, despite the life-threatening risks they took to secure votes for the party in the region against what they claim was a well-coordinated security apparatus of the then-ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) the NDC has failed to acknowledge their efforts or even extend a word of appreciation.
Frustrated by the lack of recognition, the group held a press conference in Kumasi, calling on the ruling government to reward their loyalty.
Commander of the Ashanti NDC Security Taskforce, Maxwell Hope, addressed the media, saying:
“We want to extend our greetings to President John Dramani Mahama and Vice President Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang. Before the 2024 elections, every active party member, from the polling stations to the national level including campaign teams was aware of the crucial role we played. Even President Mahama himself knows this. So why has the party leadership failed to recognize our efforts after the elections?”
Maxwell further disclosed that, leading up to the elections, the party’s security leadership instructed them to help secure 29% of the vote share in the Ashanti Region. They claim their vigilance at polling stations and collation centers exceeded expectations, preventing election rigging strategies by the NPP.
“We overworked ourselves to surpass the 29% target. Yet, not even a simple ‘thank you’ has been extended to us. Is that fair?” he questioned.
He emphasized that the party had promised them employment opportunities within the national security apparatus if they successfully delivered their mandate.
“Gbevlo Lartey led that promise, and we are waiting to hear from him soon. If nothing is done, we will be forced to take action,” Maxwell warned.
Neglected Party Leaders and Appointments
He also criticized the exclusion of key NDC figures who supported the party’s security efforts in the region, including former Deputy Minister for Works and Housing Samuel Yaw Adusei, Samuel Sarpong, and Joseph Yamin, from government appointments.
“Those who sponsored our activities have been sidelined, and we have not been given jobs. How do you expect us to survive until the next election? Who do we turn to for help when the need arises?” he lamented.
Alhaji Tanko Bashir, the Ashanti Regional Security Taskforce Coordinator for the NDC, accused some of the newly appointed officials of recruiting party opponents instead of loyal members who worked to secure victory.
“When the party leadership met us, they emphasized that the NDC could only win the 2024 election with a 29% vote share in Ashanti. At that time, these appointees were nowhere to be found. Our taskforce members, across all 47 constituencies in the region, used personal funds to begin operations until national support arrived. We received backing from figures like Samuel Sarpong, Yaw Adusei, Kenneth Adjei, Gbevlo Lartey, and Joseph Yamin. But what has the party done for them?” he questioned.
Tanko further reiterated that Gbevlo Lartey had personally assured them of job placements within the national security structure if they met the party’s target.
“This promise motivated us to go the extra mile, ensuring our members underwent the necessary training to safeguard President Mahama’s votes. But now, I ask: if you release your sheep to graze and only a few return, will you let the remaining ones go out the next day?” he asked the NDC leadership.
A Final Warning to the NDC Leadership
Tanko emphasized that they had no choice but to speak out, as they feared that their contributions would go unrecognized if they remained silent.
“Ideally, we wouldn’t have held this press conference, but if we do not take our destiny into our own hands, no one will fight for us. Our government has been in office for nearly four months now. If we don’t demand our due recognition, four years will pass, and we will be forgotten,” he argued.
While acknowledging that they could not force the government to provide them with jobs, Tanko stressed that they were simply reminding the party of their contributions to its electoral victory.
“We know our father, President John Dramani Mahama, and Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, are listening leaders. Although our expectations may seem late, we trust the government and the party to correct these mistakes in the interest of unity ahead of the 2028 elections.”
However, he warned that if their concerns were not addressed, they would take matters into their own hands, which could have serious consequences for the NDC in the Ashanti Region.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh /Isaac Justice Bediako
