BY Daniel Bampoe
The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, made a high-profile appearance in Akwatia over the weekend, igniting speculation about his presidential ambitions within the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Though officially on party duty to introduce the NDC’s parliamentary candidate for the upcoming by-election, the visit has been widely interpreted as a strategic move to test his popularity among grassroots supporters.
Rumours of Presidential Bid
For months, rumours have circulated within NDC circles that Debrah is positioning himself as a possible successor to President John Dramani Mahama when the party holds its presidential primaries.
While he has yet to make a formal declaration, sources within the party claim he has quietly begun laying the groundwork for a potential bid.
According to insiders, Julius Debrah is believed to be enjoying tacit support from NDC power brokers, who are working discreetly to boost his chances.
This development has deepened speculation of an internal power struggle, particularly between Julius Debrah and the party’s National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, who has allegedly formed a campaign team to push his agenda.
Party insiders say tensions have grown after some of Nketiah’s loyalists were sidelined in recent appointments, sparking unease within his camp.
A Warm Welcome in Akwatia
In Akwatia, Julius Debrah was greeted by a massive crowd of NDC supporters, many of them clad in T-shirts of the party’s parliamentary candidate, Bernard Bediako Baidoo.
The supporters chanted Debrah’s name as they cheered him on, with some openly calling for him to run for president.
Reports suggest that a significant number of the enthusiastic crowd had been mobilised from Suhum, Julius Debrah’s hometown in the Eastern Region, underscoring the strong grassroots ties he maintains in the area.
The official purpose of the visit was to pay a courtesy call on Daasebre Dr. Assumadu Nyarko Appiah, Chief of Akyem Wenchi, and other traditional leaders.
Debrah led a powerful NDC delegation that included President Mahama’s Legal Advisor and former Attorney General, Marietta Brew, a native of Akwatia, former National Chairman Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, Ambassador Victor Smith, Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, and National Youth Organiser, George Opare Addo.
The delegation formally presented the NDC’s parliamentary candidate to the chiefs and sought their blessings ahead of the September 2 by-election.
At the gathering, Debrah assured the traditional authorities that Akwatia and its surrounding towns remained a priority in the government’s development agenda.
Rising Profile and Grassroots Roots
Julius Debrah has long been considered one of the most influential figures in the NDC.
A native of the Eastern Region, he rose through the party ranks to serve as Regional Chairman before being appointed Regional Minister under Mahama’s first term.
His deep connections with the grassroots have often been cited as his strongest political asset, especially in the Eastern Region, a critical battleground for both the NDC and the New Patriotic Party (NPP)
Supporters argue that his ability to mobilise youth and party loyalists as well as appeal to the floating voters makes him a formidable contender.
His showing in Akwatia, where ordinary members spontaneously hailed him as a presidential hopeful, has further fueled talks that his entry into the race is imminent.
A Brewing Contest with Asiedu Nketiah
If Julius Debrah enters the flagbearership contest, he is expected to face stiff competition from Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, the party’s national chairman and a seasoned political strategist.
Asiedu Nketiah himself recently enjoyed a strong show of support during the funeral of the late Tamale Central MP, Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, where party members rallied around him in Tamale.
