Former Greater Accra Regional Minister and former Employment and Labour Relations Minister, Hon. Nii Armah Ashietey, has officially declared his intention to contest for the National Chairman position of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
At a press conference on Friday, the veteran politician put months of speculation to rest, announcing what he described as his "second coming."
"There are people who have been wondering. People have been calling me, asking 'Are you coming?' My flyers have been flying all around. It's about the second coming and speculation all over the place, but God's time is the best," he told journalists.
"Today is the day that the Lord has made and I'm here simply to tell the whole world that I am coming. I am coming to contest the National Chairmanship of the NDC."
The former Member of Parliament for Klottey Korle Constituency said despite not officially declaring earlier, some polls had already captured him with 1% and expressed confidence that his official entry will change the dynamics.
"After today, even when they do polls, they can now reach me properly... I'm going to contest the National Chairmanship of the NDC, and I'm going to win," he declared.
Hon. Ashietey emphasized his long journey and grassroots roots in the NDC, recounting his years of dedicated service.
He served as Mayor of Tema under the late former President Jerry John Rawlings, Member of Parliament for Klottey Korle, Greater Accra Regional Minister under the late President John Evans Atta Mills, and Minister for Employment and Labour Relations under President John Dramani Mahama.
Beyond politics, he highlighted his extensive professional background as a lawyer and maritime labour consultant.
"I have worked with international bodies. I worked with the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) of London, and I served Ghana and Africa on three key committees of the Federation," he said.
He listed his service on the Maritime Policy Committee of the ITF, the ILO/IMO Joint Committee on Maritime Training, and the Fair Practices Committee of the ITF.
The former minister also noted his role in the maritime industry before entering full-time politics, where he served as agent for several international shipping lines including the Iranian shipping company IRISL, Ethiopian Shipping Lines, Danaos of Greece and PIL of Singapore.
He claimed credit as the brain behind the establishment of the Ghana Maritime Authority, noting that at the time the maritime industry was operated directly from the Ministry of Transport and Communication through its Shipping and Navigation Department despite having major institutions like the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Shipyard and Drydock, Regional Maritime University, Black Star Line and the Shippers Council.
Hon. Ashietey said he will in the coming days outline his vision for transforming the NDC as he seeks to lead the party as National Chairman.
