In what many see as a bold shift in political tone, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has announced that the party will prioritize competence over loyalty when it comes to appointments in government.
The statement, made during an interview on JoyNews’ PM Express on Wednesday, June 25, signals a firm commitment to performance-based governance under the NDC.
Asiedu Nketia made it clear that blind loyalty will no longer be enough to secure or maintain a position. “Party loyalists should not necessarily be incompetent,” he said. “We have loyal, competent people. So if you prove to be incompetent, another loyalist who is competent can replace you.”
His remarks come at a time when questions are being raised about the effectiveness of some newly confirmed MMDCEs, many of whom are long-serving party activists.
The NDC’s new direction aligns with recent declarations by former President John Mahama, who has vowed to hold political appointees accountable using measurable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Mahama has also instructed MMDCEs to declare their assets, a move seen as tightening the standards of transparency and accountability in public office.
Pressed by host Evans Mensah on whether this corporate-style performance model could coexist with the loyalty-driven nature of political appointments, Asiedu Nketia didn’t flinch. “Loyalty matters, but competence matters more,” he said. “We have more qualified people than positions available. So you don’t ignore capable loyalists just to reward incompetence.”
He concluded by assuring that the message is already resonating within party ranks. “Our people understand this, and they accept it,” he noted. “We must protect government work from suffering due to misplaced loyalty.”
