Be Patient; Not Everyone Will Be Appointed – Asiedu Nketia to NDC Devotees

Published: February 13, 2026 | Source: Life Pulse Daily (Ghana)

Introduction: Navigating the Reality of Limited Government Appointments

In the aftermath of an election victory, a wave of anticipation sweeps through the ranks of the victorious political party. For many dedicated members of Ghana’s National Democratic Congress (NDC), the hope of securing a government appointment represents the culmination of years of grassroots mobilization, campaigning, and loyalty. However, a stark reality check was delivered by the party’s National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, during a recent engagement in the Effutu Constituency. His message was clear and direct: supporters must exercise patience, as constitutional and practical limits make it impossible to appoint every deserving party member to a government position.

This address, part of the NDC’s “Thank You Tour” in the Central Region, goes beyond a simple request for calm. It opens a critical window into the mechanics of governance, the constraints of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, and the strategic recalibration required by political parties after returning to power. This article provides a comprehensive, SEO-optimized analysis of Chairman Asiedu Nketia’s statement, unpacking its implications for NDC supporters, the broader Ghanaian political landscape, and the fundamental tension between party loyalty and state appointment protocols.

Key Points: Decoding the NDC Chairman’s Message

At its core, Asiedu Nketia’s communication was a masterclass in political damage control and long-term party management. The key takeaways are:

• Constitutional Constraint is Non-Negotiable: The primary barrier to mass appointments is not a lack of will but the explicit, legally defined number of positions the President of Ghana can fill. These limits are prescribed in the Constitution and related statutes.
• Managing Expectation vs. Reality: The statement directly confronts the gap between the immense expectations of thousands of “party devoted” and the finite number of available political appointments.
• Internal Channels Over Public Complaint: A clear directive was given to channel frustrations through established internal party mechanisms rather than through public grievances, which can damage party unity and public perception.
• Strategic Engagement: The “Thank You Tour” itself is a strategic tool to maintain morale, acknowledge contributions, and educate the base on the operational realities of governance.

Background: The Constitutional and Political Framework

To fully grasp the weight of Asiedu Nketia’s words, one must understand the structural rules governing appointments in Ghana’s Fourth Republic.

The Constitutional Ceiling on Presidential Appointments

The 1992 Constitution of Ghana places explicit, non-negotiable caps on the number of presidential appointees. Key provisions include:

• Ministers and Deputy Ministers: The President can appoint a maximum of 19 Ministers (excluding the Vice President) and 19 Deputy Ministers. These are the most prominent political appointments.
• Presidential Staff: The number of staff in the Office of the President is also subject to parliamentary approval and budgetary constraints, creating a practical limit.
• Other Public Office Holders: Appointments to boards of state-owned enterprises, diplomatic missions, and other constitutional bodies (like the Electoral Commission) are either fixed in number or subject to rigorous, often non-partisan, vetting processes.

These limits are designed to prevent the bloating of the public sector with political appointees, ensuring a leaner, more fiscally responsible administration and preserving the integrity of the civil service. For a party with a vast national network like the NDC, the number of available slots is a tiny fraction of its active membership.

The Post-Election Appointee Landscape

The scramble for positions after a party wins power is a global political phenomenon, often termed the “spoils system.” In Ghana, this is amplified by:

• Regional and District Balance: There is an unwritten but powerful expectation to reflect geographical representation across the 16 regions, further complicating selection.
• Factional Dynamics: Internal party groups and alliances expect recognition, forcing leadership to navigate complex loyalty matrices.
• Competency vs. Loyalty Debate: While loyalty is paramount in political appointments, there is also public and media pressure to appoint individuals with technical competence and clean records.

Analysis: The Multifaceted Implications of the “Patience” Call

Asiedu Nketia’s statement is not merely a deflection; it is a strategic position with layers of political, social, and governance implications.

1. Political Management and Party Cohesion

The NDC, like any large party, comprises various wings: the grassroots “foot soldiers,” regional executives, former MPs, influential elders, and youth activists. The failure to reward a broad segment risks:

• Demoralization and Defection: Disappointed members may become passive or even defect to rival parties or independent candidacy in future elections.
• Erosion of Chairman’s Authority: If perceived as insensitive, the message could weaken Asiedu Nketia’s standing as a unifying figure.
• Long-Term Strategy: The advice to use internal channels reinforces the party’s hierarchical structure and the Chairman’s role as the gatekeeper of grievances, centralizing communication.

The “Thank You Tour” is thus a crucial soft-power exercise to offset the hard news of limited slots, ensuring the party’s organizational machinery remains oiled for future contests, including the next general election cycle.

2. Governance and Public Administration

From a governance perspective, the Chairman’s reasoning aligns with principles of public administration:

• Merit vs. Patronage: While political appointments are inherent, a government must also retain a professional, non-partisan civil service. Unchecked appointment of all party members would swamp this system.
• Fiscal Responsibility: Salaries and emoluments for political appointees are a significant drain on the national budget. Constitutional limits are a fiscal control mechanism.
• Policy Continuity: A government needs to fill key ministries with individuals who can implement its agenda effectively, not just with a large number of less-qualified loyalists.

This frames the issue not as a betrayal, but as a necessary compromise between political obligation and effective statecraft.

3. The Legal and Constitutional Imperative

This is the most unassailable part of the argument. The limits are not a policy choice of President John Mahama’s administration; they are constitutional mandates. Any attempt to exceed them would be:

• Illegal: It would violate the express provisions of the 1992 Constitution.
• Subject to Judicial Review: Such appointments could be challenged and struck down by the Supreme Court.
• Fiscally Unsustainable: It would require parliamentary approval for supplementary budgets, which would likely face intense scrutiny and opposition.

By anchoring his plea in the Constitution, Asiedu Nketia moves the discussion from the emotional realm of “deserving” to the objective realm of “possible.”

Practical Advice for Party Supporters and Aspirants

For the NDC member who feels overlooked, what actionable steps can be taken beyond waiting patiently? Chairman Asiedu Nketia’s advice to use internal channels is the starting point, but it can be operationalized.

Engaging Constructively with Internal Party Structures

• Formalize Your Grievance: Present your case, including your contributions and qualifications, in writing to your constituency executive committee. This creates a record.
• Seek Mentorship: Identify and engage with constituency and regional executives who have influence in the vetting and recommendation process. Understand their criteria.
• Demonstrate Continued Value: Remain active at the grassroots. Organize community outreach, voter education, and party programs. Visibility and demonstrated ongoing commitment are key.
• Consider Non-Appointment Roles: Influence is not solely derived from a government title. Key roles exist in party administration, campaign strategy for future elections, think-tank positions, and as a liaison between the party and its base.

Building a Case for Future Consideration

• Skill Development: Use this period to acquire relevant skills—project management, public administration, policy analysis—that would make you a stronger candidate when future vacancies arise.
• Clean Public Record: Ensure your personal and professional record is impeccable. Background checks are rigorous for public office.
• Network Strategically: Build relationships across party factions. A reputation for being a team player and a problem-solver is invaluable.

FAQ: Addressing Common Questions on Appointments and Patience

Q1: Is the “patience” message just a way to silence angry supporters?

A: While it does ask for calm, the message is substantively grounded in constitutional fact. The number of positions is fixed. The message is less about silencing and more about managing expectations based on an immutable legal framework. However, the act of delivering this message during a “Thank You Tour” is indeed a strategic effort to manage morale and prevent public dissent.

Q2: What happens to loyal party members who are not appointed? Are they forgotten?

A: According to the party’s stated strategy, they are not. Their value is in continued grassroots mobilization and electoral support. The party’s long-term survival depends on a large, motivated base, not just on the 50-100 appointed officials. Their role shifts from direct government service to sustaining the party’s electoral machine. Recognition may come in other forms, such as appointments to party committees, campaign leadership roles, or consideration in future election cycles.

Q3: Can the constitutional limits on appointments be changed?

A: Yes, but it is a highly difficult process. It would require a constitutional amendment, which needs the approval of at least two-thirds of all members of Parliament and, in some cases, a national referendum. Given the current political climate and the need for cross-party consensus for such an amendment, it is highly unlikely. The limits are therefore stable for the foreseeable future.

Q4: Does this situation create a risk of corruption or cronyism within the limited appointments?

A: It potentially intensifies the competition for the few slots, which could lead to increased lobbying and pressure to appoint based on connections rather than merit. This underscores the critical importance of the President and the vetting committees adhering strictly to principles of probity, accountability, and transparency as enshrined in Chapter 6 of the 1992 Constitution. Public and media scrutiny of the eventual appointees is therefore essential.

Q5: How do other political parties in Ghana handle this issue after winning power?

A: This is a universal challenge for any party that transitions from opposition to government. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) would have faced identical constraints after the 2016 and 2020 elections. The pattern is similar: initial euphoria followed by disappointment, necessitating leadership communication that balances gratitude with the harsh limits of constitutional office. The specific rhetoric may differ, but the core dilemma is identical.

Conclusion: The Enduring Lesson of Patience in Political Service

Johnson Asiedu Nketia’s candid appeal to NDC supporters is a pivotal lesson in the realities of democratic governance. It underscores a fundamental truth: political victory does not guarantee personal reward. The transition from a movement seeking power to a government wielding it requires a painful narrowing of focus from the many to the constitutionally defined few.

The message transcends partisan politics. It is a case study in the limits of the spoils system within a constitutional democracy. For the dedicated party member, the path forward requires a redefinition of contribution. Service to the nation and the party’s ideals can be rendered as effectively from the grassroots as from a ministerial suite. The true test of a political party’s maturity is its ability to transform its vast, hopeful army of supporters into a patient, strategic, and resilient force that understands that the long-term health of the nation—and the party’s own future electoral prospects—depends on respecting the rule of law, even when it delivers disappointing news.

Ultimately, Asiedu Nketia is not just asking for patience; he is outlining the blueprint for sustaining a political revolution within the strict confines of constitutional governance. The supporters who heed this call and continue their work, regardless of appointment, are the ones who will secure the NDC’s future beyond the current administration’s tenure.

Sources and Further Reading

• The 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana. Particularly Chapter Eight (The Executive) and the Schedules detailing emoluments and the number of public office holders.
• Life Pulse Daily (Ghana). Original report: “Be affected person; no longer everybody will also be appointed – Asiedu Nketia to NDC devoted” (February 13, 2026).
• Ghana’s Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921). Provides the legal framework for the management of public funds, including emoluments for public office holders.
• “The Spoils System and Political Appointments: A Comparative Analysis,” Journal of Democracy and Governance, various editions. (For academic context on the global challenge).
• Reports from Ghana’s Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and the Office of the Auditor-General on public sector employment and wage bill management.