Physician and political activist, Dr Arthur Kennedy, has raised concerns about the National Democratic Congress (NDC) decision to require appointees who intend to contest party positions to resign at least six months before filing their nomination forms.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile, Dr Kennedy said while the intention behind the policy may be good, its practical effects could create problems for the party.
“Well, the intent is good, but I’m concerned about the effects,” he said.
While acknowledging the NDC’s intention, he cautioned that the party and affected individuals could later regret the decision. “I see the intent, but I think that in the end there might be some regrets, both on the part of individuals and on the part of the party,” he said.
He questioned how the rule would apply to certain party roles, particularly the position of flag bearer. Dr Kennedy noted that although the flag bearer eventually contests a national election, the role itself is still a party position.
“For example, there’s the question, is the flag bearer of the NDC an elective position?” he asked. “If somebody wants to be flag bearer, it is a party position even though it’s leading to a national position.”
Dr Kennedy drew comparisons with the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) experience ahead of the 2008 elections, when several government appointees resigned to contest party positions.
“I’m looking at what the NPP went through in 2007–2008. I don’t think the NPP benefited a lot from the 2007–2008 resignations.”
He warned that forcing experienced appointees to resign early could weaken both government and party structures ahead of the 2028 elections.
“Sometimes we overestimate the abundance of talent that the government or the party might find itself heading into 2028. According to him, such rules could “unnecessarily tie its hands behind its back by forcing people who are quite talented to give up offices that would have been beneficial to the party’s reputation.”
Dr Kennedy also addressed arguments that board chairpersons and board members should find it easy to resign because their roles are not demanding. He disagreed with claims that such positions involve minimal work.
Commenting on views expressed by Mr Tanko Computer, Dr Kennedy said the issue was being oversimplified. “Yes, the Ghana Ports Authority board chair might have one meeting a month or one meeting in three months,” he said, “but from what I have learned, boardships in the Ghanaian context are very busy positions.”
He explained that board members often deal with requests for intervention and constant engagement with management. “There are supplicants who are seeking your interventions. Those who manage the organisation are coming to you,” he noted.
Dr Kennedy said that it was unrealistic to assume that a board member’s responsibilities end after attending meetings. “The idea that once you finish the board meeting, all that you need to do is done is an oversimplification,” he said.
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