A member of the National Executive Committee of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Wonder Victor Kutor, has defended the party’s National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, following criticism over his ongoing “thank you” tour.

Speaking on Prime Insight on Joy Prime on Saturday, Mr Kutor dismissed suggestions that the chairman’s activities are part of a hidden presidential ambition.

He insisted that Mr Nketia has done nothing wrong and is simply fulfilling his duties as national chairman.

“The national chairman has done no wrong. He’s still the national chairman of the party and he has to work as national chairman,” Mr Kutor said.

When asked about claims by some within the NDC that Mr Nketia is nursing presidential ambitions, he argued that such interpretations were misplaced.

“There’s even nothing wrong if Chairman Asiedu Nketia wants to be president of Ghana,” he said, adding that the constitution permits any Ghanaian above 40 and of sound mind to contest.

He explained that the problem lies with those attaching political meaning to routine party activities.

“If somebody decides to go to church every day and someone says this man wants to become pope or a reverend minister, the problem is with those reading those meanings,” he noted.

Mr Kutor further argued that effective political parties must continue to function after elections, and that the work of national officers must not be undermined by speculation.

“It’s very important that the party structure works. Otherwise, we’ll get to a point where once elections are done, political parties will not be effective,” he warned.

The NEC member also cautioned against a growing culture of mistrust in Ghana’s political space. According to him, public service and political responsibility should not always be linked to presidential ambitions.

“Now, if you have a foreign affairs minister who decides to support a community, they say this minister wants to become president. That’s my fear. People can no longer work in good faith,” he said.