NDC capable of managing emerging tensions between Haruna Iddrisu and Asiedu Nketiah — Dr Amakye-Boateng

A political scientist at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kwasi Amakye-Boateng, has downplayed concerns over recent exchanges between senior members of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), saying the developments are unlikely to cause any serious internal damage to the party.

The comments follow public remarks involving NDC National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah and Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu, which have sparked discussions about possible tensions within the party ahead of its internal processes leading to the 2028 elections.

The exchange was triggered after Mr Iddrisu described President John Dramani Mahama’s post-election engagements as the “proper” thank-you tour, a remark widely interpreted as a subtle response to Mr Asiedu Nketiah’s separate nationwide “Thank You” tour.

During one of his engagements, Mr Asiedu Nketiah defended the decision to replace Mr Iddrisu and Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak as Minority leaders in Parliament ahead of the 2024 elections, arguing that the move contributed to the party’s eventual electoral success.

He also revealed that he had personally advised President Mahama to appoint both Mr Iddrisu and Mr Muntaka Mubarak to ministerial positions following the NDC’s victory in the 2024 general elections.

Shortly after those comments gained traction on social media, Mr Iddrisu, while accompanying the President on his tour of the Savannah Region, appeared to respond indirectly. He referred to “the proper thank-you tour” in contrast to another tour being referenced within political circles.

The back-and-forth has fuelled speculation about potential internal disagreements within the NDC, particularly as the party begins positioning itself ahead of selecting a presidential candidate for the 2028 elections.

However, speaking on Joy FM’s Midday News, Dr Amakye-Boateng said such exchanges are a normal part of political party dynamics, especially during periods of transition and internal competition.

“The issue of elections in political parties always brings these things that I call normal practice, normal divisions in political parties,” he explained.

He added that internal competition is expected in democratic organisations where individuals and factions naturally align behind different personalities and interests.

“These are normal. It is normal because competitions behave in such a way that you will have people supporting person A or person B,” he noted.

Dr Amakye-Boateng further stated that the situation should not be seen as alarming since the individuals involved have not engaged in any overtly confrontational public exchanges.

“They have not necessarily come out to present themselves to the Ghanaian public in a confrontational way, so I think we have to allow events to unfold,” he said.

He expressed confidence that the NDC has the institutional experience to manage internal disagreements without it escalating into a serious crisis.

“The NDC has been around for some time and knows how to manage these issues. I do not expect anything serious to come out of this,” he added.