Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), says his nationwide thank-you tour was a necessary party assignment aimed at strengthening unity and addressing concerns among supporters.

Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on Tuesday, Mr Asiedu Nketiah rejected claims that the tour was designed to position him for the NDC’s 2028 presidential race, describing such suggestions as either uninformed or mischievous.

“Those who said that were either ignorant about how a party is run, or they were simply being mischievous,” he said.

He argued that a political campaign would ordinarily lead to an election, questioning how the tour could be considered a presidential campaign when no internal contest had been scheduled.

“If I was campaigning, at the end of every campaign, what happens? Elections. Since I finished three months ago, have they brought the ballot paper for us to cast the vote?” he asked.

The NDC Chairman said his responsibility is to keep the party united and help supporters understand government processes, particularly concerns over appointments, recruitment and other expectations.

He said ignoring growing frustrations within the party, including reported plans by some supporters to demonstrate against the government, would have amounted to poor leadership.

“So if I sit there as national chairman and I hear that party people are disgruntled... and people were even trying to organise demonstrations against our own government, I sit there to fold my arms. I’ll be a stupid chairman.”

Mr Asiedu Nketiah said the tour helped calm tensions among party members, adding that he embarked on the exercise to “quench the fires” and strengthen engagement with the grassroots.

He explained that the tour was also a fulfilment of a promise he made during the 2024 election campaign when he visited communities to campaign for NDC parliamentary candidates.

“I went to the villages and asked them to vote for us, and promised them that after the voting, I’ll come and thank them,” he said.

Mr Asiedu Nketiah maintained that he did not use the tour to promote his personal ambitions, insisting that he was already well known within the party.

“If I want to project myself, it will not be through a thank-you tour... Who in this party is better known than Asiedu Nketiah?”

He added that his message to supporters focused on patience, particularly regarding appointments and recruitment opportunities, while urging party members to remain supportive of the government.