Gomoa Central Member of Parliament (MP), Kwame Asare Obeng, popularly known as A Plus, has criticised National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia over rumours of a possible presidential bid, questioning his age, leadership record and suitability to lead Ghana.
A Plus, in a strongly worded social media post, challenged the veteran politician to account for the development challenges facing his home region despite its abundance of natural resources.
His comments come amid speculation that Asiedu Nketia could be considering a bid to become the NDC’s presidential candidate for the 2028 general elections, following reports that he does not intend to seek re-election as the party’s National Chairman.
In his post, A Plus questioned why Asiedu Nketia would seek the presidency when communities in his region continue to face challenges with sanitation, poverty and access to basic necessities.
“You were in politics long before all this Dubai business began. Your own region, blessed with gold, timber, fertile soil, and enormous natural resources, continues to struggle with underdevelopment. Communities lack basic sanitation, people still sh!t in the bush, and children go to bed hungry.
“And now you want to become what? President of Ghana?” he wrote.
The Gomoa Central MP also raised concerns about Asiedu Nketia’s age, drawing comparisons with former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, who assumed office at 72 in January 2017 and left office at 80 after serving two terms.
Asiedu Nketia, who is 69, would be 72 in 2029 if he were to become president following the next general election, according to A Plus’s calculation.
He argued that Ghanaians should consider the implications of electing another elderly president for a potential two-term administration.
“We came out of a similar situation less than two years ago, after electing a 72-year-old ‘painti ma mentɔ’ man who eventually left office at 80. Now, you are 69. By the time you are inaugurated in 2029, you will be 72! And if you are President for two terms like Okukuseku, you’ll leave office at 80. Ah! What did we do to deserve this? Why? Is it a curse or what?” he added.
A Plus further questioned whether an Asiedu Nketia presidency could avoid controversies that characterised the Akufo-Addo administration.
“What guarantees do Ghanaians have that, after your Akufo Addo lookalike presidency, your family will not also become fugitives who desperately attempt to renounce their Ghanaian citizenship, like Ken Ofori-Atta?” he asked.
A Plus also argued that decades of political experience should not automatically qualify anyone for the presidency, insisting that the position requires measurable results and accountability.
“The presidency is not a retirement package or a reward for spending decades in politics engaging in sarcasm. It is a solemn responsibility that demands vision, leadership, accountability, and measurable results,” he stated.
The MP also defended his own record in office, claiming that he had achieved more in less than two years than Asiedu Nketia.
“You and your fanfoolers can be angry and say things about Gomoa. F*ck off. I’ve been in office for less that two years but have achieve more than this man,” A Plus wrote.
He further indicated that criticism from political opponents would not stop him from expressing his views, saying he had adopted a more confrontational approach to political disagreements.
Johnson Asiedu Nketia, popularly known as General Mosquito, is a veteran NDC politician who became the party’s National Chairman in December 2022 after serving as General Secretary for several years.
His long political career has made him one of the party’s prominent figures, with speculation about his next political move attracting attention as the NDC prepares for its next leadership contest.
The NDC’s 2028 presidential candidate will be expected to lead the party into the next general election, making the question of who succeeds President John Dramani Mahama a subject of political interest.
