Nkonkonsa Celebrity Gossip From Africa
Renowned political commentator and satirist Kwaku Sintim-Misa (KSM) has opened up about the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s historical struggle to win over Ghana’s middle-class and professional groups during its formative years. Speaking on his political show on YouTube, KSM provided insights into how the party’s early image, shaped by its roots in late former President Jerry John Rawlings’ radical military background, made it less appealing to educated elites.
“It was difficult for any student to openly say they were NDC. If you were a lawyer, you were assumed to be an NPP supporter,” KSM revealed. He explained that the NDC’s grassroots orientation and its association with Rawlings’ revolutionary past created a perception of extremism that alienated many professionals and middle-class Ghanaians.
KSM recalled that the NDC’s youth wing was even nicknamed the “Veranda Boys,” a term that underscored the party’s working-class identity. However, he noted that over time, the party recognized this as a weakness and took deliberate steps to rebrand itself. “They had a strategy. I started seeing more lawyers and professionals proudly identifying with the NDC,” he observed.
According to KSM, the appointment of the late Professor John Atta Mills as Rawlings’ running mate marked a turning point in the NDC’s transformation. “Bringing in Atta Mills as Rawlings’ running mate changed the perception. He was an academic, quiet, and not controversial,” KSM explained. Mills’ scholarly demeanor and calm personality helped soften the party’s image, making it more appealing to a broader demographic.
KSM credited this strategic shift for the NDC’s eventual success, including the election of John Dramani Mahama as president. He emphasized that the party’s efforts to encourage its youth to pursue higher education and professional careers played a significant role in reshaping its identity over the years.
Source:NKONKONSA.com
