There is an uneasy calm within the rank and file of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) as questions continue to mount over who will take over the reins of the party after President John Dramani Mahama exits his term in office.
Interested candidates have started positioning and asserting themselves at the least opportunity to be seen or heard.
Speculation has intensified following a recent public reference by President Mahama to his long-time ally, Julius Debrah, whom he described as a “friend and co-conspirator” while acknowledging him as the brain behind the Kwahu Business Forum.
Speaking at the forum, held in the Eastern Region a few days ago, the President openly credited Mr. Debrah as one of his most trusted confidants and the key figure whose ideas birthed the event, a strategic platform connecting government with the private sector to promote policies aimed at transforming businesses across the country.
The President’s warm commendation of Mr. Debrah has been widely interpreted by political watchers and party insiders as a subtle signal of a preferred successor, even though no formal endorsement has been made.
Mr. Julius Debrah is a well-known figure in Ghanaian politics. He served as Chief of Staff during President Mahama’s previous administration and has held the same position in the new administration. His other ministerial roles including Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Eastern Regional Minister, and Greater Accra Regional Minister.
His appointment by then President-elect Mahama to head the 2024 Transition Team in accordance with the Presidential (Transition) Act, 2012 (Act 845) reinforced his long-standing influence and trust within the highest echelons of the NDC.
Debrah’s reputation for effective coordination, political mobilisation, and his strong grassroots appeal have earned him respect across party lines. He is often credited with playing key behind-the-scenes roles in the party’s recent electoral success.
Commenting on the growing speculation, a law lecturer at the University of Ghana, Professor Kwame Gyan, has publicly endorsed Mr. Debrah as the most suitable person to lead the NDC in a post-Mahama era.
He is of the firm conviction that Julius Debrah possesses the leadership qualities needed in this critical period of party transition. “ He is a unifier, magnanimous in his dealings, and connects with people effortlessly,” Prof. Gyan stated.
Mr. Debrah’s name has long been associated with discussions surrounding succession within the NDC. Ahead of the 2024 elections, he was widely speculated to be under consideration as a running mate to then-flagbearer John Mahama, a move that would have further elevated his profile within the party.
While he was not eventually selected for that role, his consistent loyalty to the President and his ability to manage relationships across the party’s grassroots and leadership structures have kept him in the succession conversation.
Nonetheless, he is not without competition. Party National Chairman Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia remains a formidable figure with deep experience in party organisation and mobilisation. Former Finance Minister Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, who has previously shown interest in the flagbearership, is also being mentioned as a possible contender, with his strong background in economics and technocratic governance appealing to some factions of the party.
A new name added to the mix is Kwame Awuah-Darko, whose business leadership and close ties with the NDC’s rank and file have raised his profile in recent months. Awuah-Darko’s combination of political experience and corporate success could position him as a strong candidate should the NDC seek a fresh face to lead the party in the post-Mahama era.
For now, President Mahama has not given any clear indication of his preferred successor. However, his latest remarks at the Kwahu Business Forum have reignited internal debate over succession and party direction beyond 2028.
As the NDC prepares for future electoral contests, and with President Mahama expected to serve his final term in office, the leadership succession question is likely to dominate discussions within the party. And while many names may surface, Julius Debrah , the President’s trusted “friend and co-conspirator” appears to be one step ahead in the quiet race.
