Dr. Joseph Yammin, National Organizer of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), has issued a stern warning to government appointees, urging them not to take the party’s power for granted or risk watching the NDC lose its ruling status.
Speaking at the inauguration of the NDC’s Cambridge and Nottingham branches in England, Dr. Yammin called for patience and calm among party members who aspire to government appointments but have not yet been rewarded.
Using the Ghana Railway Authority as an example, he highlighted the intense competition for positions, noting that while many vie for single slots like the CEO role, only one can be appointed.
He pointed out, however, that the current CEO has created opportunities by employing over 100 people, even if he has not extended protocol courtesies to him personally.
Dr. Yammin urged party members to broaden their perspective and seek opportunities beyond direct appointments.
He encouraged them to leverage party structures such as chapter chairmen to explore contracts and other benefits available under the current administration.
He emphasized that being in power provides numerous prospects to benefit beyond top appointments, but party members must be proactive to seize.
He further cautioned that positions become vacant due to various reasons; dismissals, temptations, or even death and only a party in power has the capacity to fill those gaps as they arise.
Dr. Yammin recounted, “And I like my brother Mustapha when he always says, even though I disagree at certain points, that in this government we have, there are some people who chase women and they are going to be sacked. There are some people who, unfortunately, fall into temptations and will leave their office. In some cases, they may, unfortunately, be called by their Maker, and that position will become vacant as long as your party continues to be in power.
“You may have the opportunity to fill that gap one day when it becomes vacant. That is why we have to continue to be there,” he added.
Addressing government appointees, Dr. Yammin sent a strong message stating, “Let me send this signal to government appointees: one thing we will not entertain is watching you people in government take the NDC back into opposition. We will not entertain that.
“That day when His Excellency John Dramani Mahama asked for the honeymoon. I’m sure he wasn’t seeking anything beyond one year. We as a political party didn’t come to power so that you take advantage of it, become CEOs, and turn your lives around. I see your beautiful daughter sitting down there. This girl must go on to see the NDC continue in office,” Dr. Yammin firmly stated.
He reminded party members that the struggle to attain power was hard fought, and relinquishing it within four years would be unacceptable.
“We didn’t struggle, like you said in Ashanti when we were demonstrating, just to come to power and then leave power in four years. No, we will not do that. We will not allow anybody in government to send us back to opposition,” Dr. Yammin declared.
He also highlighted ongoing development projects such as the reactivated railway linking Tema to the western regions, crediting President John Dramani Mahama’s government for progress not seen in the previous administration.
“It never happened in eight years under the NPP administration. Today, trains are moving, and I’m sure more will move. So, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama will make a difference,” he expressed hopeful.
Dr. Yammin expressed hope that Mahama would complete the many unfinished tasks and that the NDC would continue to govern beyond his term.
“It is up to you and me, after his (John Mahama) term and after his commendable administration, to see the NDC continue to be in power. Whoever becomes our flag bearer should win the next elections, and it will be as a result of all of us putting aside our differences. Our disagreements can exist, but they should not affect the strength of the political party.”
In closing, Dr. Yammin appealed for unity within the party, setting aside differences to ensure the NDC remains in power.
He encouraged, “Let us all work hard because the opportunities in government are so vast that when people want to take advantage of them, nobody will cry and say, ‘My party is in power, and I have not been recognized.’ Let us broaden our horizon. Let us expand it. Let us look beyond what everyone is looking at.
“And you will find that it is better for your party to be in power than to be a proud general secretary of an opposition party. This advice, I say, was given to us by President Kufuor not the NPP. We are in power, and we must acknowledge that,” Dr. Yammin stressed.
He concluded with a clear ideological point, “Again, let me repeat, it is better to be a messenger in a ruling party than to be a proud general Secretary in opposition.”
