The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fifi Kwetey, has dismissed suggestions of internal division within the party following President John Dramani Mahama’s directive to withdraw a Private Member’s Bill seeking to abolish the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
Speaking on Channel One TV, Mr Kwetey clarified that views expressed by individual Members of Parliament should not be misconstrued as the official position of the NDC.
“Individuals can have their own perspectives on the Special Prosecutor,” he said. “A position only becomes the party’s official stance when it is discussed and agreed upon at the highest level of the party, such as the political committee, which is led by the President and includes both current and past leaders.”
He stressed that unless a position has been formally adopted by the party’s leadership, comments made in Parliament reflect personal opinions rather than the collective view of the NDC.
“Whatever somebody might say in Parliament represents that person’s personal position, and that personal position is absolutely not the party’s position. It’s okay to have disagreement; it’s not a problem,” he stated.
Mr Kwetey further explained that President Mahama, as leader of both government and party, ultimately defines and communicates the NDC’s official stance on major national issues.
“What the President states as the leader of the party represents that position. The President can even disagree with a minister, but at the end of the day, the one in charge of the vehicle is the President,” he said. “Together with the leadership of the party, he represents the highest authority, and those decisions have to be made.”
He emphasised that while party members are entitled to express personal views, it is important to distinguish between individual opinions and official party positions.
“We are not saying you are not entitled to your personal opinion. Individuals can have their own positions, but ultimately, the party’s view is articulated by the President,” Mr Kwetey added.
His comments come amid public speculation that President Mahama’s instruction to Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga and Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor to withdraw the Bill had exposed divisions within the NDC—claims Mr Kwetey firmly rejected.
