A presidential hopeful of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr Kwabena Duffuor is providing relief to neglected footsoldiers of the party with a huge amount of over GH¢8 million.
He is showing love for the teeming NDC footsoldiers with a massive policy that will give them hope and also in recognition of their toil for years for the party without receiving appropriate reward.
As part of the landmark initiative, the former Minister for Finance and Governor of Bank of Ghana (BoG) has launched an NDC empowerment and self-financing project dubbed the “NDC ahotɔ project” for the grassroots.
“Ahotɔ” means “relief” in the Akan language.
The pilot phase of Dr. Duffuor’s Ahotɔ project was launched last Thursday at the Ashaiman constituency in the Greater Accra Region.
The Ahotɔ Project Manager, Mr. Abass Osabutey, said the initiative was an outcome of a business feasibility study commissioned by Dr. Duffuor and carried out by a technical team throughout the 275 constituencies in the country to identify the most feasible and sustainable business idea capable of financing NDC party activities at the local level.
He explained that each constituency shall receive accessories, logistics and equipment worth GH¢30,000 to enable the smooth implementation of the business project.
This will bring the total investment to GH¢8,250,000 to be financed by Dr. Duffuor.
Phase One of the project, which starts from the Ashaiman constituency, will cover 48 constituencies selected, based on constituencies with the highest voter population and those that are orphan constituencies.
Mr. Abass Osabutey noted that the project will also bring relief to overburdened party MPs and local executives who have supported local party activities for years at their personal expense.
Possible reaction
The camp of former President John Dramani Mahama, who is seeking to lead the NDC again in the 2024 general election, has not yet reacted to this initiative as similar ingenuities including “The Ghanaian Dream” have been met with some resistance.
NDC elders as well as the rank and file of the party including constituency and branch executives attended the launch of the project.
Duffuor’s comments
Speaking at the launch to formally begin the implementation of the project, Dr. Duffuor reiterated the project was 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 of 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 for 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”, the NDC presidential hopeful acknowledged.
Dr. Duffuor paid glowing tribute to the grassroots leadership of the NDC for their sacrifices to the party.
“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”, he added.
Objective
The Ahotɔ Project is aimed at setting up all the 275 constituencies with micro-businesses in order to create the much needed but currently unavailable local cash flow for the day-to-day running of the NDC party at the grassroots level.
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.
“As I have already pointed out, a resourced party is a strong party. Revenue belongs at our grassroots, not the top and we must build this party from the ground, upwards. This initiative is also a test of our highest ideals as a party – probity and accountability”, he pointed out.’
Management
Dr. Duffuor announced that the Ahotɔ Project is under the management of constituency leadership who will be accountable to their constituents for the proceeds of these businesses.
The constituency business support project, according to him, will put a reliable support system in place to generate income for the smooth running of the party at the local level.
He advised party members to engage in the new politics of ideas, reminding them that it is important to think of creative ways to generate money for the NDC.
The presidential hopeful stressed that without money, it will be difficult to run a political party or its campaigns to win elections.
“The truth is, politics is an expensive undertaking. No political party can remain competitive and relevant without being well resourced at all times. Another truth is that the core of our politics is our grassroots base. It is why matters of welfare, mobilization and outreach must always be at the heart of our efforts in party management.
“This seed is being sown in the life of our party. It is a response to a call for aid in the spirit of building the NDC. May this represent our new approach to politics henceforth. In the face of challenges, let us engage to find solutions. At all times, may we be guided by the value of collaboration and its power to generate relevant solutions. That is what the Ahotɔ Project represents and that is how we will rebuild our party – together”, he concluded.
