Financial economist and academic, Dr Razak Kojo Opoku, has cautioned the New Patriotic Party (NPP) against underestimating the potential presidential candidacy of National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia ahead of the 2028 general elections.
According to Dr Opoku, a possible Asiedu Nketia-led ticket could present a significant electoral challenge to the NPP, particularly because of the NDC chairman’s demographic, traditional and regional connections.
Although Mr Asiedu Nketia has not formally declared his intention to contest the NDC’s presidential primaries, speculation about his possible candidacy has intensified in recent months, with polling data suggesting that he is among the leading contenders in the party’s emerging 2028 flagbearership race.
Dr Opoku, in an analysis of the potential candidacy, argued that Mr Asiedu Nketia’s background could help him appeal to voter groups and traditional constituencies beyond the NDC’s conventional political base.
“Those underestimating the presidential ticket of Mr. Asiedu Nketia really need to rethink because it is not going to be an easy ticket for NPP,” Dr Opoku stated.
Dr Opoku identified Mr Asiedu Nketia’s ethnic, traditional and religious background as factors that could influence the political dynamics of a potential 2028 contest.
He noted that Mr Asiedu Nketia is of Asante ancestry from Seikwa in the Bono Region and has links to the Oyoko Royal Family of Asanteman and the Akwamu Royal Family.
He also pointed to his association with the Presbyterian Church, which he described as one of Ghana’s largest Christian denominations.
According to Dr Opoku, Mr Asiedu Nketia’s family connections extend into the Ashanti and Bono regions through his wife.
He believes these affiliations could become politically relevant if the NDC chairman eventually secures the party’s presidential nomination.
Dr Opoku argued that such a candidacy could potentially enable the NDC to broaden its appeal among sections of the electorate beyond its traditional support base.
Dr Opoku also highlighted what he considers a potentially historic aspect of an Asiedu Nketia candidacy.
He argued that, if elected as the NDC’s flagbearer, Mr Asiedu Nketia would become the first person of Asante background to lead the party into a presidential election.
He further noted that this would make him the second prominent Asante to contest the presidency on the ticket of one of Ghana’s two major political parties, following former President John Agyekum Kufuor, who represented the NPP.
Dr Opoku also believes Mr Asiedu Nketia’s traditional connections could strengthen the NDC’s relationship with sections of the Akwamu community.
“The ticket of Mr. Asiedu Nketia too will bring the people of Akwamu closer to the NDC,” he said.
The comments come against the backdrop of emerging polling data on possible contenders for the NDC’s 2028 presidential nomination.
A recent survey by Global InfoAnalytics reportedly placed Johnson Asiedu Nketia at the top of the preference rankings among NDC delegates, with 27% support.
The figure represented a slight decline from the 29% recorded in April 2026. Despite the decline, he remained ahead of Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, who recorded 22%.
Another survey conducted by Africa Policy Lens in July also placed Mr Asiedu Nketia first among constituency and branch executives.
The survey reportedly gave him 33.8% of first-preference support, with Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu ranking second with 22.5%.
The findings suggest that Mr Asiedu Nketia is one of the leading figures in the early stages of the NDC’s internal succession contest, although the party’s presidential race has yet to formally begin.
Despite his strong showing in the polls, the surveys also point to some reservations within the party about Mr Asiedu Nketia leaving his current position to pursue the presidency.
According to the July polling data cited by 1960news.com, 61% of respondents agreed that Mr Asiedu Nketia should remain National Chairman of the NDC rather than seek the party’s presidential nomination.
The finding reflects the confidence some party members and delegates have in his role as the party’s chief administrator and political organiser.
Mr Asiedu Nketia, popularly known as “General Mosquito,” has served as NDC National Chairman since 2022, following several years as the party’s General Secretary.
His long experience in the party’s organisational structures and electoral campaigns has made him one of the NDC’s most prominent political figures.
However, whether he will relinquish the chairmanship to pursue the presidential nomination remains uncertain.
The NDC is expected to have a competitive presidential race as several senior figures are being mentioned as possible successors to President John Dramani Mahama ahead of the 2028 elections.
Among the names frequently discussed are Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, Haruna Iddrisu, Julius Debrah and Johnson Asiedu Nketia, although the eventual field could be broader.
The outcome of the contest will be closely watched as the NDC prepares to defend its hold on government and the NPP positions itself for a return to power.
For Dr Opoku, the NPP should therefore take the possibility of an Asiedu Nketia-led NDC ticket seriously rather than dismissing his prospects based on conventional assumptions about the two parties’ traditional electoral strengths.
His argument is that Mr Asiedu Nketia’s political experience, coupled with his traditional, regional, family and religious connections, could make him a formidable candidate if he decides to contest and subsequently wins the NDC’s presidential primaries.
For now, however, Mr Asiedu Nketia has not officially announced a presidential bid. His decision on whether to remain National Chairman or enter the race for the party’s presidential nomination is therefore likely to remain a key issue in the NDC’s preparations for the 2028 elections.
By 1960news.com
