Gbande: Relationship between NDC and gov’t strained

The Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mustapha Gbande, says the relationship between the party and the government has not been in the best shape and needs urgent attention.

Speaking on Channel One TV on Tuesday, May 12, he said the current state of relations was not ideal, adding that party officers must take responsibility for managing internal concerns and frustrations.

“I’m saying that the state of affairs in terms of the relationship between the party and the government has not been the best. Nobody is supposed to be blamed. It’s for us who are younger, who are followers, who are officers of the party,” he said.

Gbande noted that he remains accessible to party grassroots structures, saying branch executives often reach out directly to him when they have concerns.

“My telephone numbers are up to the branches. Branch executives have my telephone numbers. So if they have frustration, they will call. And we know what they feel,” he stated.

He stressed the need for dialogue and reconciliation within the party, indicating that leadership engagement would be key to resolving tensions.

“So the feeling is that the relationship is not at its best. And we have to sit down again. We are waiting for the president to come back. I’m sure that he would have listened to all of this,” he said.

Gbande expressed confidence that the party leadership, once fully engaged, would address the concerns and restore cohesion.

“He’s a leader of the party… He will stamp his authority, call a meeting, let’s sit down, let’s look at what we have reached, let’s assess ourselves, let’s come together and move,” he added.

He further emphasised the party’s broader mission of winning future elections to improve governance, stressing that internal unity was critical.

“For me, my commitment is that we must win the next election to save this country. NPP is not an option… Ghanaians are the reason we must do everything right,” he said.

Gbande added that while government appointees are working to deliver services, stronger coordination between the party and government is necessary for effective governance.