The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, has criticised party members calling for a third presidential term for President John Dramani Mahama, describing such appeals as the height of sycophancy.

Addressing a gathering, Mr Kwetey said he was increasingly disturbed by what he sees as a growing culture of excessive praise and unquestioning loyalty within the party.

According to him, some individuals have come to believe that flattering party leaders is the only way to secure relevance or personal opportunity.

“These days it saddens me when I see sycophancy creep into our party,” he said. “You see a group of people who believe that singing the praises of a leader is the only way they can survive. That is why you hear some of those people even urging statements like there should be a third term.”

He dismissed such calls outright, describing them as “nothing but sycophancy pure sycophancy and boot-licking of the highest order”.

Mr Kwetey stressed that the NDC’s traditions do not support the glorification of individuals at the expense of democratic principles.

Referring to the late Jerry John Rawlings, founder of the NDC, Mr Kwetey noted that Mr Rawlings was never encouraged by party members to seek a third term in office.

He said this historical example highlights the contrast between the party’s founding values and the current behaviour of some supporters.

“Jerry Rawlings, who founded this party, was never at any point urged by anybody to go for a third term,” he said.

The General Secretary further accused advocates of a third term of acting out of self-interest rather than genuine commitment to the party or the nation.

“You have a bunch of sycophants who think that singing praises will get them the opportunity they are looking for,” he remarked. “You don’t love our country, and you don’t love our party.”

Mr Kwetey reminded party members of the NDC’s core mission, emphasising that the party was established to serve the needs of the Ghanaian people, not individual ambitions.

“It is important to appreciate that this party was grounded on the need to work for our people,” he said.