The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has justified its new directive requiring full-time government appointees to resign at least six months before contesting party executive positions, saying the decision was made to strengthen the party while allowing the government to focus on fixing the struggling economy.

Tanko Rashid Computer, Deputy National Director of Elections and IT for the NDC and CEO of GIFEC, explained that the decision was taken by the National Executive Committee (NEC) under Article 54 of the party's constitution, which grants the NEC residual powers to resolve matters not explicitly covered in the constitution.

Speaking on the issue, Mr Rashid said the move was strategic and necessary given the current state of affairs.

"We are now in government. We are in power. We want to strengthen the party so that the party will be strong, while the government will also concentrate on its business, its core business," he said.

He explained that the NEC, which comprises regional executives, national executives, MPs, the parliamentary caucus, and the council of elders, deliberated on the matter and agreed that separating government work from party administration would benefit both institutions.

"Because of the nature of the economy, which was very bad, we inherited a very bad economy, the country was in shambles, we wanted to give ample time for the government to concentrate on resetting the government," Mr Rashid stated.

He added that the party also needs dedicated officers to handle its day-to-day operations and reorganisation efforts.

Mr Rashid clarified that the directive applies specifically to full-time government appointees, not part-time roles such as board chairpersons and board members who may meet only two or three times a year.

"Board chairman and board members, that one is not full-time. Boards sometimes meet twice in the year, some three, depending upon the nature of their work," he noted.

He emphasised that General Secretary Fifi Fiavi Kwetey was merely reporting the NEC's decision when he announced the new guidelines at the party's headquarters in Accra on Thursday.

"The general secretary was basically reporting what the National Executive Committee's decision was, what decision they took. He's the CEO of the party, chief executive. So he was just reporting on that," Mr Rashid said.

The directive, which was announced on Thursday, restricts individuals holding government-appointed offices from contesting party executive positions unless they resign at least six months before filing their nominations.