By Agbaxode Emmanuel
Akatsi (V/R), Nov. 03, GNA – Dr Akwasi Opong-Fosu, a National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Chairmanship aspirant, has launched his campaign at Akatsi in the Volta Region, with a pledge to strengthen grassroots participation, promote internal unity and consolidate the party’s electoral gains.
The launch on Monday, November 2, 2026, marked the beginning of his nationwide campaign tour, which started in the Volta Region in recognition of its longstanding support for the NDC.
Dr Opong-Fosu described the region as the “oxygen of the NDC,” saying the decision to begin his campaign there was also to honour the memory of the party’s founder.
Speaking in an interview at Akatsi, he outlined three key pillars of his proposed leadership approach: Voice, Viability and Votes, aimed at addressing concerns among grassroots members.
Under the Voice pillar, he proposed a structured communication system through which concerns from branch and constituency members would be documented and transmitted through regional structures to the national leadership for attention.
On Viability, he said he would prioritise the economic empowerment of grassroots members and make party structures more self-sustaining to reduce their dependence on financial support from the national leadership.
He said the ultimate objective was to unite members across different affiliations and mobilise them towards retaining political power in the 2028 general election and beyond.
Responding to concerns about his calm disposition and whether he could provide the assertive leadership expected of a national chairman, Dr Opong-Fosu said modern politics required intelligence, strategic thinking and emotional maturity rather than physical confrontation.
“Politics has moved beyond brawn; we are looking for brains,” he said, adding that the NDC, as the governing party, had a responsibility to maintain peace and focus on delivering its manifesto promises.
He also dismissed suggestions that he was a government-backed candidate, saying he had consulted widely across different party persuasions and enjoyed support from leaders he had engaged.
Mr Owusu Kojo Anthony, the NDC Constituency Chairman for Akatsi South, and his executive members expressed appreciation to the aspirant for choosing the constituency to launch his campaign and wished him success in the chairmanship contest.
Dr Opong-Fosu is a founding member of the NDC and a former Member of Parliament for Amenfi East, from 2013 to 2017.
He also served as Minister for Local Government and Rural Development and Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, as well as Head of the Local Government Service.
His four-day Volta Regional tour, scheduled from November 1 to 4, 2026, covers several constituencies, where he is engaging party executives, delegates, traditional authorities and other stakeholders on his vision for the party.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Benjamin Mensah
Reporter: Agbaxode Emmanuel
Email address: [email protected]