The grassroots of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Volta region have warned of voter apathy in the region in the 2028 general elections due to President Mahama's failure to appoint Volta Regional NDC executives and other stalwarts to key public positions.

According to them, the refusal by the administration to reward the region with appointments for its contribution to the electoral fortunes of the governing party has left the grassroots disgruntled.

Addressing a press conference in Ho, the Convener of the New Voter Forum, Edmond Amos Ameamu, asserted that though some people of Volta origin have been appointed, they are not connected in any way to the party in the region, and did not render support in any form during the 2024 campaigning.

He added that the continuous neglect of NDC stalwarts who are familiar with the grassroots in appointments will have dire consequences on the party’s vision to maintain power beyond 2028. 

Mr Ameamu supported a call by the Volta Renaissance Forum on President Mahama to consider appointing party faithful who worked and are identified by the grassroots in its stronghold to appease them.

“In our candid view, we believe the petitioners have a strong case which President Mahama needs to treat urgently with a view to appointing faithful NDC party executives and activists who have strong links with the grassroots. This, we believe, will go a long way to motivate the base of the party and prevent voter apathy ahead of the 2028 elections”, he stressed. 

He questioned the government and party’s decision to appoint “an alien” as the acting Volta Regional Director of the National Health Insurance Authority, describing it as “bogus, a slap in the face of hard work, abuse of office and betrayal of trust." 

“The grassroots, who worked so hard day and night to secure this emphatic victory, have been patient in the midst of appointment neglect. What we will not, however, take is the reckless imposition of aliens who did nothing to help us win the election”, he added. 

Mr Ameamu urged the party’s hierarchy to convene a meeting with the concerned stakeholders and give a fair hearing aimed at finding a lasting solution to their concerns. 

He further opined that the party leadership and the Regional Minister should collaborate and ensure NDC activists are appointed to avert “mass action, including takeovers, demonstrations, picketing, among others in the coming weeks”. 

He also entreated the local government leadership in the region to devise measures to create job opportunities for the teeming NDC supporters “to motivate the base of the party which is almost becoming disgruntled.”

He, therefore, issued a one-week ultimatum for their concerns to be addressed, with emphasis on the reversal of the appointment of the acting Volta Regional Director of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).

He threatened that they would embark on "a civil action against this unpopular decision" if it is not reversed.