Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has made it clear that competence, not blind loyalty, is the deciding factor in appointments under the NDC administration.

Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on Wednesday, June 25, he said the party is committed to protecting government business from being undermined by incompetence masked as loyalty.

“Party loyalists should not necessarily be incompetent,” he emphasised.

“We have loyal, competent people. So if you prove to be incompetent, another loyalist who is competent can replace you.”

His comments follow concerns about the performance standards being set for newly confirmed Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), many of whom are long-time party activists.

President Mahama, in earlier meetings with these officials, had indicated a clear shift: MMDCEs would now be judged by measurable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and subject to dismissal or reprimand if they fail to deliver.

The President also issued a deadline for asset declaration, signalling a tightening of accountability standards.

When host Evans Mensah questioned whether this tough, performance-driven model, common in the private sector, was compatible with political appointments often seen as rewards for loyalty, Asiedu Nketia was unequivocal.

“That’s why I told you that in determining the criteria for selection, loyalty comes in,” he explained, “but competence ranks higher than loyalty.”

He added that the party is not short on qualified individuals. “We have more people than positions available.

For each position, we have about 20 to 30 people who are qualified. So if some are competent and still loyal, you don’t leave them and go settle on somebody incompetent but loyal.”

Asiedu Nketia insisted that this position is not only accepted within the party but expected.

“They understand and have accepted this,” he said, referring to party members and appointees. “We cannot allow government business to suffer because of party loyalty.”