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Ghana’s Ambassador to the United States, Victor Smith, has issued a strong caution to senior members of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), warning against what he described as premature jockeying for succession to President John Dramani Mahama.
Reports have emerged that influential figures within the party—including Chief of Staff Julius Debrah and NDC National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia—have begun laying the groundwork for future presidential bids, even as Mahama’s administration approaches its first year in office.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Face to Face with Umaru Sanda Amadu on September 23, 2025, Ambassador Smith said the move is not only ill-timed but also potentially destabilising.
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“It’s normal for them; maybe they are trying to prepare the ground for themselves, I don’t know. I personally think that talk about preparing to replace John Mahama is too early because we haven’t even been in office for one year,” he stated.
Smith stressed that early succession talk risks diverting attention from the government’s development agenda and undermining President Mahama’s ability to deliver on his promises to Ghanaians.
“They have taken off too soon. If too many people are entering the thing right now, then instead of us focusing on building this nation or pursuing the agenda of John Mahama, we will be disturbing people with that campaign,” he warned.
The ambassador, a seasoned diplomat and long-time member of the NDC, urged party stalwarts to shelve personal ambitions for now and rally behind the president. According to him, a premature power struggle could deepen internal divisions at a time when the government needs maximum stability to execute its policies.
President Mahama returned to power less than a year ago amid high expectations to restore economic stability and strengthen democratic governance. However, whispers of succession within the NDC—barely months into his term—have triggered debate among supporters, with some viewing it as a healthy sign of political competition while others see it as a dangerous distraction.
Ambassador Smith’s comments add to growing calls for party discipline and unity as the Mahama-led administration navigates pressing national issues, including economic reforms, infrastructure development, and youth employment.
For now, he insists, the party’s singular focus should be to “deliver for Ghanaians before thinking of who comes next.”
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