The Volta Renaissance Forum has criticised the leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for sidelining known party executives and financiers in recent appointments made by President John Dramani Mahama.

In a petition sighted by GhanaWeb on Monday, April 14, 2025, the forum expressed concerns about the appointments, noting that most of the individuals selected are not actively involved in the region's political landscape.

"Most of the appointees, especially CEOs/Deputy CEOs, may hail from the Volta Region by lineage, but the majority are not everyday Volta politicians who understand the political chemistry or dynamics of the region, including the needs of the grassroots. About 85% of these appointees do not vote in the region, and the welfare of constituents is not their priority, as they lack political connections," the petition read.

The forum described the appointment of what it called "foreign Voltarians" at the expense of dedicated party loyalists as a betrayal of trust.

"Appointing foreign Voltarians over true Volta politicians, despite their tireless efforts to win power, is, in our view, the highest form of betrayal. We understand that not all Volta politicians can be appointed at once, and no appointment can satisfy everyone, but this neglect is alarming."

It further warned that the situation could escalate tensions in the region.

"The party base in the Volta Region is becoming increasingly agitated by the day, as they await the appointment of individuals who have served the party with dedication. Meanwhile, known NPP members are either being retained or newly appointed in a government that was won through the toil of NDC members."

The forum also claimed that some of the new appointees are not accountable to regional party leadership and are not committed to securing future electoral victories.

"Some of the new appointees, by virtue of not being true Volta politicians, are not accountable to the party leadership in the region. They are not committed to consolidating power ahead of the 2028 elections."

The group called on President Mahama to urgently address the situation by involving prominent NDC stalwarts in the region.

"We demand immediate action to address the neglect of prominent Volta politicians, including offering them opportunities to serve in the new NDC government they helped secure. We also call for open dialogue sessions across constituencies to engage the grassroots, especially polling agents, on the government’s and party's shared development plans."

The forum concluded with a warning, "We are giving a one-month ultimatum for party leadership to intervene. Failure to act will compel us to reconsider our support for the party."

Read the petition below:

Petition by Volta Rennaissance Forum

1. That having taken note of the hue and cry of citizens of the Volta region especially NDC grassroot members on appointments neglect, the entire membership of the Volta Renaissance Forum, a pro-NDC interventionist group have resolved to petition as follows;

2. That we commend his Excellency President John Mahama for appointing some Voltarians into his government as Ministers and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of state agencies.

3. That most of the appointees especially CEOs/Deputy CEOs do hail from Volta Region by lineage, but majority are NOT the everyday Volta politician who understands the political chemistry or dynamics of the region including the needs of the grassroots.

4. That 85% of the said appointees do not vote in the region and that the welfare of constituents are not their priority because there is no political connections.

5. That appointing foreign Voltarians at the expense of true Volta politicians despite their tireless efforts to win power is the highest degree of betrayal of trust in our view;

6. That we are very much aware that all Volta politicians cannot be appointed at the same time and the appointments certainly cannot satisfy everyone. However, there are key stalwarts and activists including Daniel Agboka-Dzegede, Mathias Alagbo (Kabila), Francis Senanu Dekutse, Enyonam Apetorgbor, Prosper Kwame Ofosu, Jocelyn Tetteh, Francis Seglah (Don Shakas) Elsie Appau (Esq), Lawyer Afi Fiakpoe, William Kpormatsi, Johnson Samlafo, Bill Boglo, Yao Amekor, Fogah Nukunu, among others should not be violently excluded from the new government.

7. That the base of the party in the Volta region is becoming very agitated every passing day without hearing the appointment of some of the above individuals. Yet, known NPP members are either retained or appointed to serve in the new government formed through the toil of NDC members.

8. That some of the new appointees by virtue of them not being volta politicians are not accountable to the party leadership in the region. They are not committed in consolidating power ahead of 2028 elections;

9. That some of the appointees all of a sudden have become friends to the NPP and denying NDC members job opportunities.


10. That urgent action is taken to address the neglect concern of predominant Volta politicians including providing them with opportunities to serve in the new NDC government they fought fiercely for;

11. That open dialogue sessions be organized across constituencies to engage grassroots especially polling agents on government and party's plan for their shared growth.

12. That one-month ultimatum is hereby given to allow leadership to intervene failure to which we shall advise ourselves against the party;

13. That this petition, which reflects the views of thousands of NDC supporters in the Volta region has been necessitated by the neglect of hard-working Volta politicians in the appointments. Redress will go a long way to motivate the base of the NDC in the Volta Region to continue being loyal to the NDC.

Signed:

Lizzy Agyina


DATED, this 14th Day of April, 2025.

Cc:
The President, Republic of Ghana,

The National Chairman, NDC

The General Secretary, NDC

The Regional Minister, Volta Region

The Chief of Staff

The Executive Secretary to the President

Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of operations

Volta MPs Caucus

JKB/MA

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