Abraham Koomson, Secretary-General of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL), has called on the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) to strengthen its internal structures and organisational capacity. This, he believes, will enable the party to withstand political pressure from the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP). Koomson made these remarks on Ahotor 92.3 FM’s Adekyee Mu Nsem Morning Show in Accra-Tema. He emphasized that political confrontations and disagreements are inevitable in a democratic environment.
Koomson expressed his views on the conduct of some NPP members in Parliament, stating that such behaviour is not surprising and may be difficult to eliminate. He advised the NDC to focus on building resilient party structures rather than allowing opposition activities to distract it from its responsibilities. The GFL Secretary-General also urged the NDC to identify and utilise the talents of dedicated party members who lose internal elections, particularly those whose defeat may have been influenced by financial constraints.
Making reference to Yaw Uza, Koomson argued that losing an internal party contest should not automatically result in an individual’s exclusion from party activities. He stressed that the NDC needed committed and experienced individuals to strengthen its grassroots structures and improve its organisational effectiveness. Using an analogy of mosquitoes and other potentially harmful creatures that exist in nature, Mr Koomson said political opponents would always be part of the democratic environment.
Koomson compared political opponents to mosquitoes, emphasizing the need for the NDC to develop strategies to manage competition and opposition. He explained that just as people protect themselves against mosquitoes through repellents and mosquito nets, the NDC must equip itself with the necessary structures and strategies to withstand political pressure. This, he believes, will enable the party to maintain its focus on governance.
Despite concerns about political confrontations, Koomson maintained that the government’s most important responsibility should be improving the economy and addressing the economic difficulties confronting ordinary Ghanaians. He acknowledged that the NDC government inherited economic challenges and that its policies might not immediately translate into improved living conditions for everyone. However, he expressed optimism that the economic situation could improve if the government remained focused and committed to implementing policies that respond to the needs of the population.
Koomson cited former United States President Donald Trump as an example, arguing that public dissatisfaction with economic conditions could undermine confidence in a government. He maintained that economic performance remained a critical measure of governance and urged the NDC not to allow political demonstrations and confrontations to divert attention from delivering on its electoral promises. The GFL Secretary-General also expressed encouragement about comments from the Finance Minister about upcoming economic interventions.
Koomson called for security agencies, particularly the Ghana Police Service, to be adequately equipped and allowed to perform their duties in addressing criminal activities associated with political disturbances. He urged the NDC to strengthen its internal structures, maintain its focus on economic recovery, and support law enforcement agencies to deal with criminal conduct while safeguarding Ghana’s democratic environment.
Key points
- Abraham Koomson urges NDC to strengthen party structures and prioritize economic recovery.
- Koomson advises NDC to focus on building resilient party structures.
- The GFL Secretary-General calls for security agencies to address criminal activities associated with political disturbances.
