NDC Executives To Boycott Duffuor’s ‘Ahotɔ’ Project Today
A former Finance Minister, Dr Kwabena Duffuor, who desperately lacing his boots to become the flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), is expected to launch a flagshipdubbed‘Ahotɔ’ programme to drive his ambition.
The programme, slated for today June 7, 2022, was advertised to be held at the party’s national headquarters at Adabraka in Accra.
But ahead of the launch, The Anchor is picking information that some national executives of the NDC could be boycotting the event, which appears to be an important programme for members of the party, especially, the grassroots.
It is unclear, however, why the intended boycott by some notable executives of the party whose names would be withheld in the meantime.
Dr Duffuor made the big announcement on his social media handle,facebook.
In a post sighted by The Anchor, Dr. Duffourwrote, “Tomorrow, the national launch of the ‘Ahotɔ’ Project will take place at the headquarters of the National Democratic Congress in Adabraka at 11am. Join us live on GhOne TV as we mark this historic event for our party”.
According to flyer announcing the launch, it would be telecast on several media platforms including the former Bank of Ghana (BoG) governor’s GHone television and Starr FM.
The micro-business initiative to empower party activists at the constituency level project, is targeted at the grassroots of the NDC in all 275 constituencies, to enable them become self-employed and economically independent.
Dr Duffuor, who is jostling for NDC flagbearer contest, made the headlines months ago after he announced the initiative at Ashaiman.
Recall in April, this paper reported how leading members from the John Mahama camp including the former President, were jittering about the whole initiative.
Reliable sources told The Anchor that the initiative which has reportedly been embraced largely by the grassroots, has enhanced the image of the former Finance Minister.
In that report, this paper reported about how the popularity of the former President, was weaning in the NDC with the emergence of Dr Duffuor, who is lacing his boots to contest the party’s presidential primaries.
The centre appeared not to be holding for the party’s 2020 presidential aspirant, who was tipped to win the NDC flagbearership race.
Mr Mahama was allegedly bounced by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the NDC headed by national chairman, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, on this same ‘Ahotɔ’ initiative.
According to information exclusive to The Anchor, Mr Mahama allegedly called on the NEC to stop the former Minister’s re-organization drive.
The project, among others, will offer a cash amount of GH¢1000 to each constituency and one canopy to each branch for hiring to the public, to raise money to fund their activities.
Interestingly, the Committee informed Mr Mahama they could not oblige his request because he was not yet the flagbearer neither has the former governor broken any known rule of the party.
NEC, according to sources, told Mr Mahama the best they could do was to appoint two of their members to join in the distribution of the said money as well as the canopies, so that, they can assure themselves that nothing untoward is happening on their blind side.
But three months on, it appears the leadership of the party is now divided, as some are reportedly harbouring boycott of the programme later this morning.
At the Ashaiman constituency, a safe seat for the NDC, where the initiative was first announced, party members were put in an ecstatic mood, as they commended the former Minister for Finance for his foresight.
Speaking at the event, the former Finance Minister told party supporters the project is an outcome of his stakeholder engagements with the rank and file of the NDC and his quest to bring a new approach to politics.
“The Ahotɔ Project launched today is a testament to the power of stakeholder engagement, and its credit rests on the rank and file of the party. All these years, you have held the fort for the party and borne the responsibility of catering to the needs of your many constituents. Late-night calls about a member rushed to the hospital, days when you struggle to pool funds for party mobilization and the numerous financial burdens which come with your leadership as constituency executives.
Throughout these challenging times, you have risen to the occasion and sacrificed your own resources to support the welfare of members and activities of the party. Today, we celebrate you for these efforts and dedicate this project to you all for your diligence and commitment”.
Dr. Duffuor reminded the grassroots leaders of the party of the need to manage the project in line with the NDC party’s basic principles.
“We are launching this initiative here in the Ashaiman constituency – one of the strongholds of our party in the Greater Accra Region. In the next few weeks and months, we will extend this initiative to all 275 constituencies for everyone in our party to benefit from it.”
Insiders told this paper, party executives at the various levels who thronged the event ground allegedly openly blasted the former President for not using the ‘bottom up’ approach like it is being used by the former Minister.
Enthused party members who could not hide their joy argued the approach adopted by the NDC presidential hopeful was the best under the circumstance.
Mr Mahama on the other hand, The Anchor has gathered, upon hearing the wave the ‘Ahotɔ’ Project is making, has been moving from one place to the other begging party elders to prevail upon Dr Duffuor to halt it and also abandon his intent to contest in the primaries.
It was feared that if Dr Duffuor is allowed to contest Mr Mahama and he is able to garner some good percentage of the total votes, it will mean the former President is no longer as popular as he used to be and may affect his performance in the general elections.
It was as result of this that Mr Mahama in April allegedly met with NEC members to plead with the body, to prevail upon the former Finance Minister but his request was turned down.
source:theanchorghana
