Inusah Fuseini Defends NDC Council of Elders’ Intervention to Safeguard Party Unity
Former Tamale Central Member of Parliament, Inusah Fuseini, has mounted a robust defence of the NDC Council of Elders’ recent intervention in internal party affairs, arguing that the move is both necessary and timely to preserve discipline within the ruling party and keep its government focused on delivering for Ghanaians.
The Council of Elders recently issued a stern warning to party members against engaging in premature presidential campaign activities, a decision that has sparked debate within the National Democratic Congress about the boundaries between internal democracy and party discipline.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Top Story on Monday, June 1, Fuseini explained that the Council of Elders occupies a vital position within the NDC’s institutional framework, serving as a stabilising force that ensures members remain aligned with the party’s mandate and the expectations of the electorate.
“The party has institutions, and the institution of the Council of Elders is very important in the organisation of the party. It is a recognition of the fact that there are people who would sit up there and watch what happens in the party and are able to bring the members of the party into line and ensure that the ultimate will of the people who have given the party the mandate to lead the country is realised,” he stated.
The former legislator placed the Council’s concerns squarely in the context of protecting the government’s focus, warning that early internal positioning and leadership ambitions risk derailing national priorities at a critical juncture.
“This is a very important decision made by the Council of Elders,” he noted, adding that the intervention is driven by a genuine concern over discipline within the party’s ranks.
Fuseini argued that unchecked political manoeuvring could distract the Mahama administration from delivering on its manifesto promises. “He’s been given a four-year mandate to rule this country and to deliver on the manifesto promise we took to the people. If one and a half years into his administration, people are already positioning themselves as a feeder, it could bring about distraction and indiscipline in the pursuit of the manifesto objectives of the party,” he said.
The comments come at a time when the NDC is navigating the delicate balance between internal democratic processes and the demands of governing. The party swept to power in the 2024 elections, and President John Mahama is still in the early stages of his administration, making premature jockeying for future leadership positions a potential source of instability.
The debate also reflects broader questions about party governance in Ghana’s political landscape. As the NDC has previously sought to project an image of unity, the Council of Elders’ intervention signals a willingness to enforce internal discipline even at the cost of suppressing internal debate about the party’s future direction.
Fuseini’s defence of the Council underscores a prevailing view within sections of the party that strong institutional mechanisms are essential to prevent the kind of internal fragmentation that has historically weakened ruling parties in Ghana. Whether the intervention achieves its stated goal of keeping the party focused on governance remains to be seen, but it has certainly set the tone for how the NDC intends to manage its internal dynamics in the months ahead.
Image Source: MYJOYONLINE
