BY Issah Olegor
Gomoa Central Member of Parliament Kwame Asare Obeng, popularly known as Kwame A Plus, has launched a scathing verbal attack on National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah amid growing speculation about the party chairman’s political future and possible presidential ambitions.
In a strongly worded social media post, A Plus questioned whether Asiedu Nketiah, who has spent decades in Ghanaian politics, should be considering a presidential bid when questions remain about development in his home region of Bono.
He also raised concerns about the age at which the NDC chairman would assume office if he contested and won the 2028 presidential election.
Although the comments were framed as a direct challenge to Asiedu Nketiah, they also touch on broader debates about political leadership, regional development, public accountability and whether long service in politics should automatically translate into a claim to the presidency.
A Plus Questions Asiedu Nketiah’s Record and Presidential Ambition
In his post, A Plus argued that Asiedu Nketiah had been active in politics long before the controversies surrounding alleged financial dealings and the Dubai business connections referenced in his remarks.
He questioned why a region endowed with natural resources, including gold, timber and fertile agricultural land, continued to face development challenges. He cited inadequate sanitation, poor living conditions in some communities and hunger among children as examples of problems that, in his view, should be addressed before political leaders seek higher office.
A Plus used these concerns to challenge the basis of any potential presidential ambition on the part of the NDC chairman.
The Gomoa Central MP’s argument was that political leaders should be judged not simply by their years of service, influence within their parties or ability to command public attention, but also by their contribution to improving people’s lives.
However, his comments did not provide detailed development statistics or specific evidence directly linking Asiedu Nketiah to the conditions he described.
The remarks therefore represent A Plus’s political criticism and assessment of the chairman’s record rather than an independently established conclusion about responsibility for the region’s development challenges.
The criticism is nevertheless likely to attract attention because Asiedu Nketiah is one of the NDC’s most influential figures and has played a central role in the party’s organisation and electoral activities over several decades.
Age Becomes a Major Part of A Plus’s Criticism
A Plus also placed considerable emphasis on Asiedu Nketiah’s age, arguing that Ghana should carefully consider the implications of electing another president who would enter office in his seventies.
In his post, the MP compared the situation to Ghana’s recent experience under former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who was 72 when he began his presidency in January 2017 and left office in January 2025 at the age of 80.
A Plus noted that Asiedu Nketiah is 69 and argued that, if the NDC chairman contested and won the 2028 election, he would be approximately 72 when inaugurated in January 2029. If he subsequently served two full terms, he would be around 80 when leaving office in January 2037.
He questioned whether Ghanaians should accept another presidency spanning a leader’s seventies and potentially reaching the age of 80 at the end of two terms.
The comparison reflects a wider political debate about age, experience, energy, succession and the demands of the presidency. Supporters of older political leaders often point to their experience and institutional knowledge, while critics argue that voters should carefully assess a candidate’s capacity to meet the demands of the office.
A Plus Raises Questions About Accountability After Leaving Office
The MP’s criticism extended beyond age and regional development to concerns about accountability after a president leaves office.
In a provocative comparison with the controversies surrounding former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, A Plus questioned whether Ghana could face similar difficulties involving members of another former president’s family after a future administration leaves power.
His comments invoked the public controversy surrounding Ofori-Atta and questions about his legal and political circumstances. A Plus used that controversy to challenge Ghanaians to consider what accountability mechanisms would apply to the families and associates of future presidents.
The comparison was rhetorical and did not establish that Asiedu Nketiah or his family had engaged in wrongdoing. Nor did A Plus present evidence that any member of the NDC chairman’s family would face the circumstances he described.
Nevertheless, the remarks reflect a recurring issue in Ghanaian political debate: whether powerful political figures and their associates are subjected to the same standards of accountability as ordinary citizens.
The presidency, A Plus argued, should not be treated as a retirement package or a reward for spending decades in politics. Rather, it should be viewed as a responsibility requiring a clear vision, effective leadership, transparency and measurable results.
A Plus Defends His Record as Gomoa Central MP
The MP also responded aggressively to potential criticism from people who might take offence at his remarks about Asiedu Nketiah and the chairman’s home region.
He insisted that he had been in office for less than two years but believed he had achieved more than the veteran politician he was criticising. He further warned supporters of Asiedu Nketiah against attacking him over his comments, using provocative language to express his determination not to retreat in the face of online criticism.
A Plus openly acknowledged that he enjoyed provoking people who disagreed with him, suggesting that their angry reactions would encourage him to make even stronger statements.
The tone of the post was consistent with the confrontational style for which the Gomoa Central MP is known on social media. His interventions frequently combine political commentary, personal attacks and provocative language intended to generate public discussion.
However, his assertion that he had achieved more in less than two years than Asiedu Nketiah had achieved over decades remains his own assessment. A meaningful comparison would require clearly defined indicators, such as legislative contributions, constituency projects, public expenditure, institutional responsibilities and measurable development outcomes.
Asiedu Nketiah’s Political Future Under the Spotlight
A Plus’s attack comes amid renewed speculation about Asiedu Nketiah’s future in the NDC and whether he intends to pursue a higher political office after serving as national chairman.
The veteran politician has occupied several influential positions within the party, including National Organiser, General Secretary and National Chairman. His long involvement in party organisation has made him a prominent figure in the NDC’s political history.
Speculation about his next move has intensified amid discussions about the party’s future leadership and the succession question following President John Dramani Mahama’s return to office.
However, speculation about his future should not be confused with a formal declaration of presidential ambition. Unless he makes an official announcement or the party confirms his intentions, the possibility of a presidential bid remains a subject of political discussion rather than an established decision.
The prospect of a contest would also raise questions about the relationship between the NDC’s national chairmanship and its presidential succession arrangements. A chairman who chooses to seek the party’s presidential nomination would have to navigate internal party rules, competing ambitions and concerns about maintaining neutrality in the party’s electoral processes.
Asiedu Nketiah’s influence within the NDC means that any decision he makes could have implications for the party’s internal balance of power.
Mahama’s Future And The Third-Term Debate
The controversy surrounding Asiedu Nketiah’s possible ambitions is also unfolding against the background of debate over whether President Mahama could legally seek another presidential term.
Mahama returned to the presidency in January 2025 after winning the December 2024 election. Discussions about the 2028 election have consequently included questions about the NDC’s eventual succession arrangements and the identities of potential contenders should Mahama not seek another term.
Claims and speculation about a possible third-term bid have generated public discussion, including legal arguments concerning the interpretation of Ghana’s constitutional provisions on presidential tenure.
Article 66 of the 1992 Constitution provides for a four-year presidential term and limits a person from being elected president more than twice.
