NDC Deputy Secretary Warns Government Will Fail Without Grassroots Engagement

Deputy Director of Operations at the Presidency Mustapha Gbande has warned that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government risks failure if appointees remain confined to Accra instead of engaging directly with grassroots communities across the country.

Speaking on Accra-based Asempa FM, Gbande emphasized that sitting in the capital and making radio appearances has minimal impact on rural populations who are most affected by government policies and programmes. The senior party official called for ministers to prioritize field visits and direct community engagement over media appearances.

“We don’t want the party to be rocked by needless distraction. We want more ministers to the ground to work. They should go to the grassroots and work,” Gbande stated during the radio interview, specifically citing Agriculture Minister Eric Opoku as an example of needed grassroots engagement.

The comments come amid speculation about Opoku’s potential presidential ambitions for the 2028 election, with the Agriculture Minister recently stating he would accept the opportunity if chosen by the grassroots. Gbande dismissed concerns about such political maneuvering as unnecessary distractions from governance priorities.

Gbande particularly highlighted challenges facing the cocoa sector, referencing the need for direct farmer engagement to address issues at the Ghana Cocoa Board (Cocobod). The state cocoa marketing organization is currently grappling with significant debt, with obligations of 5.37 billion Ghana cedis due in 2025, making effective communication with farmers crucial for sector recovery.

“The Cocobod conversation, if we don’t go and meet the farmers, our policies will fail. Let the farmers know the state of affairs at Cocobod,” he explained, emphasizing that English-language radio discussions in Accra fail to reach rural agricultural communities who don’t understand such technical communications.

The Deputy Director’s remarks reflect broader concerns within the ruling party about maintaining connection with its traditional support base while implementing complex policy reforms. Approximately 70 percent of government appointees under the Mahama administration are party stalwarts with deep organizational roots, including Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson, according to previous statements by Gbande.

Agriculture Minister Opoku has been active in policy implementation since taking office, including launching the innovative “Feed Ghana Programme” in April 2025 aimed at revitalizing the agricultural sector. However, Gbande’s comments suggest party leadership wants to see more direct community engagement alongside policy announcements.

The warning comes as the NDC government faces the challenge of delivering on campaign promises while managing complex economic pressures. Current cocoa production stands at 530,000 metric tonnes according to Cocobod data, significantly below historical levels, highlighting the urgency of effective farmer engagement strategies.

Gbande’s emphasis on grassroots communication reflects lessons from previous administrations and recognition that policy success depends heavily on public understanding and buy-in, particularly in rural areas where many NDC voters reside.

The call for increased field presence by ministers signals the party leadership’s commitment to maintaining its connection with supporters while delivering effective governance across all regions of the country.