Government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu has openly admitted that conversations and manoeuvring over who succeeds President John Dramani Mahama are already gaining momentum within the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Monday, the Abura Asebu-Kwamankese MP said concerns raised by Dr Callistus Mahama about early succession politics distracting the government were valid and timely.
“We are all seeing it, and his question is timely. What he said is absolutely true. He’s spot on,” Kwakye Ofosu stated.
He cautioned party members already positioning themselves for future leadership that the NDC’s political survival would ultimately depend on the Mahama administration’s performance rather than individual ambitions.
“The thing that will convince Ghanaians to give us another mandate is the performance that we put up. It doesn’t matter who you bring to contest,” he stressed.
According to him, Ghanaian voters have become more discerning and are now focused on results rather than personalities or campaign excitement.
“The Ghanaian people assess the performance of governments and decide whether or not to renew the mandate,” he said, adding that whoever eventually leads the NDC would need a strong government record to campaign on.
Kwakye Ofosu warned that even the most charismatic or appealing candidate would struggle if the government fails to deliver.
“You can bring an angel, but if the story behind that angel is sordid, he’s not going to get a pass,” he remarked.
He said Dr Callistus Mahama’s comments should serve as a clear warning to individuals quietly building political support networks ahead of the next internal contest.
Pressed on whether President Mahama could crack down on officials suspected of campaigning while serving in government, Kwakye Ofosu explained that most potential contenders had not formally declared their ambitions.
“At this stage, they are engaged in exploratory activity, but they have not said anywhere that they are going to contest elections,” he noted.
However, he indicated that a point could eventually be reached where such political activities become incompatible with public office.
“A time will come when those activities will not be tenable in relation to their positions in government, and then it should be obvious that they have to step aside,” he said.
Kwakye Ofosu also referenced how former President John Agyekum Kufuor once asked ministers with presidential ambitions to resign from his cabinet, hinting that a similar approach could emerge under the current administration.
