Vanderpuye signals readiness for NDC chairmanship race

The National Coordinator of the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP), Edwin Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, has indicated he would be prepared to contest the National Chairmanship of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) should the current chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, decide not to seek re-election.

Mr Vanderpuye, a former Youth and Sports Minister, said he would not challenge Mr Asiedu Nketia while he remains in office, citing what he described as long-standing personal respect and party loyalty.

However, he made clear that he would consider entering the race if the position becomes vacant, signalling a potential contest for one of the party’s most influential internal positions ahead of future leadership reshuffles.

Speaking in an interview on Citi FM on Thursday, June 11, 2026, Mr Vanderpuye said his decision would be guided by respect for party hierarchy and internal cohesion.

“If he [Johnson Asiedu Nketia] is not contesting, I’m ready to offer myself,” he said. “This party has given me so much. I want to give back to the party.”

“I have served at every level” — Vanderpuye

Mr Vanderpuye pointed to his long political career within the NDC as evidence of his readiness for higher responsibility, detailing decades of involvement in party structures and governance.

He said his service has included roles as a ward secretary at the time of the party’s formation in 1992, parliamentary aspirant, deputy minister, cabinet minister and campaign official.

According to him, these experiences have given him a deep understanding of the party’s internal organisation and national political operations.

He also recalled his early political engagement while working at the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, where he became a ward secretary during the NDC’s formative years.

Signals of succession interest within NDC

His comments come at a time of increasing internal positioning within the NDC as the party prepares for future leadership transitions, even as its current national executives continue to steer party affairs.

Mr Vanderpuye stressed that he would only step forward if the chairmanship becomes available, and would relinquish his current role as DRIP National Coordinator should he enter the contest.

Analysts say such declarations often signal early alignment-building within party structures, although no official contest for the position has been declared.

For now, Mr Vanderpuye insists his focus remains on service, but his remarks have placed him among the early names being informally discussed in relation to the party’s future leadership direction.