Former Adentan MP, Kojo Adu-Asare, has officially declared his intention to contest the flagbearership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of the 2028 elections.

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, the former legislator downplayed suggestions of early tension within the party, insisting there was “no storm” brewing.

“We should not be making storms out of teacups. There is no storm. As of now, who has publicly declared his intention to lead the NDC in 2028? Nobody,” he said.

Mr. Adu-Asare then made his first public announcement on the matter.

“I want to use this opportunity and platform to announce for the first time that I will contest for the NDC flagbearer. I, Kojo Adu-Asare. People want to bring my name, Benedict, back but I refuse. I will contest. Am I not eligible?” he declared.

He argued that eligibility should not be a stumbling block, citing examples of other lesser-known politicians who had previously contested presidential elections.

“Even Akua Donkor was a candidate, Kofi Akpaloo and the others. They are all my contemporaries. And the names coming up too—do I look deficient compared to some of them? Or is it about money? So I don’t have any problem. Let’s just watch the space,” he added.

Mr. Adu-Asare’s declaration comes in the wake of new polling data from Global InfoAnalytics, which places Education Minister and Tamale South MP, Haruna Iddrisu, in an early lead with 27% support.

He is followed closely by NDC National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah at 26%, while Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson holds third place with 22%.

Chief of Staff Julius Debrah and Foreign Affairs Minister and North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, ranked fourth and fifth with 11% and 8% support respectively.

Source: Gertrude Otchere

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Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, Mr. Adu Asare recalled that while President Mahama once suggested declaring a state of emergency as a last resort, nine months into the new administration the approach remains unchanged.

“It is a bit difficult and disappointing that nine months into a new government, we’re still singing the same song. It doesn’t look good,” he said.

He noted that the galamsey crisis, coupled with debates on LGBTQI, continues to cause unease. According to him, government must communicate openly when its original promises prove difficult to implement.

“I believe we must say what we mean and mean what we say. If we said certain things, but on coming in we are finding execution challenging, we should quickly step in and let Ghanaians understand that this is our new position,” he explained.

Mr. Adu Asare drew parallels with the late President John Atta Mills, who promptly addressed the one-time health insurance premium campaign pledge after a feasibility study found it unworkable.

He also cited former President Kufuor’s adjustments in ministerial appointments as examples of transparent governance.

He argued that acknowledging the difficulties would prevent negative perceptions from festering in the minds of citizens.

“Galamsey is the biggest headache of the government now, and there are no two ways about it,” he stressed, adding that strategies such as permanent military deployment and water guards are being considered.

Mr. Adu Asare, however, raised concerns about the sustainability of these measures, stressing that beyond government interventions, citizens must also play an active role.

“From the little I know, I wonder what methods will be employed. We are trying several methods and I hope we find a lasting solution. But aside from government intervention, what mindset do we as citizens bring to support the fight and make it sustainable, especially those directly involved in galamsey?” he questioned.

Source: Gertrude Otchere

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According to him, Parliament is the appropriate platform for the Minority to raise their concerns, and they should utilise it rather than boycotting sittings.

“How many times did Akufo-Addo meet with the Minority in his eight years? How many times did President Kufuor meet the Minority? The request should be declined because they are supposed to speak in Parliament, and if they keep boycotting sittings, what are they going to tell the President when they can’t use the forum they have?” he quizzed.

His comments come as the Minority prepares to formally present a petition at the Jubilee House today, Thursday, July 24, 2025, requesting a meeting with the President on what they describe as “issues of great public concern.”

In an earlier letter, the caucus emphasised the urgency of the matters they wish to raise, stating that they require “fair-minded leadership and definitive action” from the President.

However, Mr. Adu Asare, speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, insisted that the best avenue for such matters remains Parliament.

“These guys have a mandate given to them by the constitution of Ghana. So who has given them the mandate to seek an audience with the President? Over what? They have already been given a forum for dialogue and debate, but they use that to vilify and throw shade, and now they are seeking whichever forum. Is that Parliament?” he fumed.

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Mr Adu-Asare said it is possible for every human being to exude a certain temperament, depending on the issue at hand.

However, as a leader, he said Mr Afenyo-Markin must be cautious in order not to allow his temperament to push him to make decisions which will impact his role negatively.

The former MP sent this advice while speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme in the face of the chaos the declaration of four vacant seats has caused.

“He is a fantastic gentleman but must be patient. The work requires different temperament to function and as a leader, you should be able to manage and control your temperament. Anger may arise but if you take decisions amidst your anger, the consequences will come back to haunt you,” he said.

Commenting on the indefinite suspension of sitting and the NPP MPs subsequent request for a recall, the former lawmaker stated that, the setbacks could have been avoided if there was a certain level of patience.

“Couldn’t we have cured this suspension and request for recall if we had cured our pride? Now it has to take parliament about 14 days to reconvene.

“So this decision in not sitting parliament, what has it added to your case? It has rather dragged your government and business back he is a good friend so I will plead with him. I wish him well in wherever this endeavour will take him but he should control his temperament,” he said.

Mr Adu-Asare also urged Mr Afenyo-Markin to at least have in his corner one person he can confide in when such difficulties arise.

This he said will prevent him from becoming pushovers for his caucus members, citing someone like Adansi Asokwa MP and Trade Minister, Kobina Tahir (K.T) Hammond.

“He should be able to have one person he can always go to in difficult times for guidance.

There are experienced people he can consult. I don’t know his relationship with Kyei Mensah but even if he won’t even go to him, there are other people,” he urged.

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According to him,  the labour union should have started the strike for a few days to see how urgent government will respond.

“Everything the government has said is wishful, nothing concrete because when you go to the grounds, all the things the government has said no measures have been put in place yet,” he said.

The industrial action set for October 10 was aimed at pressuring the government to take stronger action against illegal mining locally known as galamsey.

Speaking on Asempa FM Ekosii Sen, he said the government has had eight years to deal with the galamsey problem, yet they have shown little commitment.

“When they continue this way, Organised Labour loses the strength and grip it has on government to address pressing national issues.

“The government had up to September 30 to act but nothing was done until the ultimatum elapsed before the government started to break their front. They started with a meeting and pussyfooting,” he added.

The Secretary General of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Joshua Ansah, who announced the suspension on Wednesday said it follows a meeting with the government, during which the administration offered enhanced measures to strengthen the fight against illegal mining.

Mr. Ansah indicated that the President had directed the Lands Minister to submit a request to Parliament for the revocation of L.I. 2462.

He mentioned that this, along with the deployment of soldiers to assist in the fight and the establishment of 14 courts for the trial of all arrested illegal miners showed enough commitment on the government’s part.

Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo has reaffirmed his commitment to end galamsey in response to growing concerns.

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On Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, Mr Adu-Asare, while contributing to a discussion about the missing money, seized the opportunity to pray for Madam Dapaah.

Admitting it was a huge mistake on the part of the former Minister, Mr Adu-Asare added it is not an easy and pleasant experience for Madam Dapaah.

“Wherever she is, may the spirit of God continue to guide and protect her but if she gets the opportunity again, she should not navigate this path,” he prayed.

The Office of the Special Prosecutor is currently investigating Madam Dapaah after it emerged her two housemaids; 18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei and three others are facing trial for the theft of huge sums of money and personal items.

The OSP on Monday placed Madam Dapaah on arrest for questioning for several hours after reports that the office has received over 200 petitions to probe her.

The office subsequently went and searched her Ablemkpe residence, as well as her official residence at Cantonments where the office says it made significant findings with some relatives also brought in for questioning.

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According to him, the Agric Minister has done a great disservice to the ruling party.

Mr. Adu Asare explained that, the unpopular statement overshadowed the speeches by Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

As an experience politician, the former Adentan MP man said Mr. Acheampong should have apologised to bring matters to rest.

“If I was Bryan Acheampong, I would have written another statement when I realised how the issue had trended the next day to make people understand I didn’t mean it the way people have taken it but now NPP has waded in and are drawing parallels,” he said on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen.

Mr Adu Asare who described the Abetifi MP as a friend is certain he spoke based on the euphoria at the moment.

“He is my very good friend but there is already a fixation people have about the name Bryan Acheampong considering the violence in Ayawaso West Wuogon. I expected him to use the platform to tell Ghanaians about his plans for the Agric Ministry but that did not happen and he puts the lives of his family at risk,” he added.

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Meanwhile, the NDC has petitioned the CID demanding an immediate arrest, interrogation and prosecution of the Minister over the statement which they say incites violence.

Former Member of Parliament for Adentan Constituency, Kojo Adu-Asare, has urged Fred Nuamah and John Dumelo to reconsider their decision to contest each other in the Ayawaso West Wuogon parliamentary primary.

Mr Adu-Asare has urged the duo not to allow politics to destroy the great friendship they have.

“I think that contest shouldn’t come on between them. They are friends, brothers and bodies and in such cases, we must engage them for one to compromise and step down for the other,” he said on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen.

Mr Nuamah, a few weeks ago, raised eyebrows and set tongues wagging for ‘stealing’ his very good friend John Dumelo’s spot.

As a result, many called on him to step down for Mr Dumelo who represented the NDC in the 2020 election and polled 37,778 votes against the incumbent, New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Lydia Seyram Alhassan’s 39,851 votes.

Fred has stated it is too late for him to step down since he engaged his friend [Dumelo] about his decision and he gave him his blessings.

He added he was surprised about Mr Dumelo’s u-turn because it was evident and crystal clear that he was not going for the Ayawaso seat anymore and rather invested in Guan/SALL.

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Mr Dumelo, however, fought off Mr Nuamah’s claims, stating he never gave his blessings and the latter was aware of his comeback.

Describing the move as a betrayal and a stab in the back, Mr Dumelo stated Nuamah was no longer his friend.

But to Mr Adu-Asare, the back and forth coupled with the media acrimony is not healthy for building relationships which are key to human survival.

He has, therefore, admonished the duo to sit and settle their differences out of the media space.

Meanwhile, the NDC has scheduled the elections for May 13, 2023.

Listen to Mr Adu Asare in the audio above:

Former Member of Parliament for Adentan constituency, Kojo Adu Asare, has pleaded with the Individual Bondholders Forum to reach a consensus with government on the Debt Exchange Programme.

According to him, Ghana is in a difficult place, hence it is important for the citizenry to consider the interest of the nation.

Mr Adu Asare made the appeal on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen as he begged the bondholders to allow the government to use their contributions to complete the programme.

He lamented the hardship the country finds itself is as a result of the mismanagement by the Finance Minster, Ken Ofori-Atta.

“It is hard for me to sit here and say this but if this is the only thing we have to do, I will beg Ghanaians. They are the ones that put us in this situation but now forcefully want to pick monies from our pockets,” he said almost in tears.

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Notwithstanding, he pleaded with the individual bondholders not to be peeved but rather look at the bigger picture of getting the economy back on the right path.

“I’m appealing to all Ghanaians, let’s consider the interest of this country and save her from total collapse by accepting Government’s Domestic Debt Exchange programme,” he said.

Watch the video above for more:

Former Member of Parliament for Adentan Constituency, Kojo Adu-Asare, has for the first time opened up on why he broke down and wept when he appeared before the Dzamefe Commission of Inquiry in 2014.

According to him, the tears were provoked when he reflected on the sweat and resources he and a few others had put into the preparation for the World Cup but they amounted to nothing at the end.

“The pain I was going through was just unbearable so that went through me and triggered the tears. I wondered if that is the end when you dedicate yourself to serve the country. The only money I got from the tournament was $600 paid from $200 for three days as per diem.

“All the sponsorship deals we signed, we don’t even know where the monies went to because Elvis, who was the minister then was sacked before he even returned. His successors also didn’t even want to hear anything Brazil so we worked in vain,” he sadly narrated on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen.

Recounting the drama he said it was one of the most difficult moments of his life as so many things had gone wrong at the same time.

“I remembered what I was going through at the time because I had separated from my ex-wife and I had been serviced an eviction notice by the court so I had to leave the house.

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“For four months, I was living in a hotel at Westland; Agbey’s place and that was when I was attending the committee meetings from. My mother had also died four days earlier,” he said.

Mr Asare stressed he had high hopes the tournament will go well because they had put in so much work but it only turned out to be a fruitless venture.

The Commission, chaired by Court of Appeal Judge, Justice Senyo Dzamefe, was set up by former president John Mahama to look into Ghana’s participation in the Brazil 2014 World Cup.

Other members were Moses Foh-Amoaning, a legal practitioner, and Kofi Anokye Owusu-Darko, a sports enthusiast.

The Commission’s terms of reference included inquiring into matters about the preparation of the Black Stars for the tournament and possible lapses that caused the early exit of the team.

Others were the management of the Black Stars team and events in their camp at the tournament and Ghana’s treatment of Ghanaian football fans who were sent by the Ministry of Youth and Sports to support the team.

The Commission spent four months probing the events and in all, 85 witnesses appeared before it.

Watch the video attached for more:

He said many of the touted 17,334 projects do not exist as they have not been commissioned.

He was of the view that the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) claim is due to the many sod-cutting ceremonies undertaken by President Akufo-Addo with just four months to the general election.

“The president is doing sod-cutting ceremonies four months to elections instead of commissioning projects, if the projects really exist then they should be commissioned so we see it for ourselves,” he said.

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Speaking further in the interview, Mr Adu-Asare stated that despite the NPP having initiated and completed some of the supposed 17,334 infrastructural projects, acclaimed policy think tank, IMANI Africa in an analysis has placed the National Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of the NPP.

“I heard the president of IMANI Africa this morning (Wednesday) score the NDC 53 per cent as opposed to scoring the NPP 46 per cent on manifesto delivery for the first four years of both parties,” he noted.