A “thank-you tour” by National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chairman, Aseidu Nketia, has ignited a firestorm of controversy and speculation within the party, with many members and even the Presidency viewing it as a thinly veiled launch of his 2028 presidential campaign.
The tour, scheduled to run from September 17 to September 19, 2025, in the Eastern Region, is officially being billed as a thank-you gesture on behalf of the NDC. However, this claim is met with scepticism, as the party and President John Dramani Mahama already concluded a similar nationwide tour in July 2025.
Sources within the NDC say the consensus among a significant number of party members is that Aseidu Nketia’s tour is a smokescreen designed to give him an unfair advantage over other potential flagbearer aspirants. By touring the country under the guise of an official party activity, he is seen as gaining an early and undue head start in the race for the party’s presidential nomination.
This development has reportedly caused considerable friction within the party hierarchy. The situation is also a source of tension at the Presidency. The government’s position is that the tour is a distraction and that the party’s focus should be on good governance and delivering on the promises made to Ghanaians during the 2024 elections.
“Whatever the fortunes of the NDC will be in the 2028 general elections will depend on how the government performs,” a source close to the Presidency stated, “Therefore, it is important that, for at least the next two years, all efforts should be geared towards achieving the promises that were made to Ghanaians.” This clash of priorities has created a significant rift between the government and the party leadership.
The Eastern Region leg of the tour will cover a total of 16 constituencies over three days:
• Wednesday, September 17, 2025: Asuogyamang, Lower Manya, Upper Manya, Yilo, and Okere.
• Thursday, September 18, 2025: Akuapem North, Akuapem South, Nsawam, Upper West Akim, and Asamankese.
• Friday, September 19, 2025: Akroso, Achiase, Swedru, Akim Oda, Kade, and Akwatia.
Attendees for the events are expected to include a wide range of party stakeholders and community leaders, including Constituency and Branch Executives, Coordinators, Cadre, former executives, chiefs, assembly members, and representatives from the Drivers’ Union.
The tour’s full itinerary and the public reaction it generates in the coming days are expected to be closely watched by political analysts and party members alike, as Aseidu Nketia’s actions continue to fuel speculation about his future political ambitions.
