Kwetey open to government role but says no appointment has come his way — and he's fine with that

National Democratic Congress (NDC) General Secretary Fifi Fiavi Kwetey has revealed that he would not have turned down a government appointment had one been offered — but he has made clear he never went seeking one, and that his current position outside of government has given him a unique kind of independence.

Speaking on Joy News' PM Express on Tuesday, Kwetey was candid when asked directly whether he would have accepted a government role. "Why not? I wouldn't have minded," he said, adding the important qualification that he would only have considered it "as long as it's not a full-time position" — one that would have drawn his focus away from running the party's affairs.

Breaking from tradition

Kwetey noted that his situation stands apart from what has historically been the norm in Ghanaian politics. General secretaries of both the NDC and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have, in his recollection, typically received some form of government recognition — most commonly as board chairs of state institutions.

"Generally, every General Secretary, as far as I remember, have always had a position, especially as a board chair," he said. His own experience has been different. "It's not been my case, but somehow it's been liberating," Kwetey acknowledged, suggesting that what might appear to be an oversight has quietly worked in his favour.

He was careful to distance himself from any suggestion that he had been passed over or had declined a specific offer. "I've not gone asking for it and stuff like that," he stated plainly, dismissing the notion that there was any tension between himself and the Mahama administration over the matter.

Why it matters for Ghana

The relationship between political party structures and sitting governments is a recurring issue in Ghanaian politics. When a party wins power, managing the boundary between the ruling party machinery and the state becomes a delicate balancing act — one that can generate friction, patronage disputes and questions of loyalty.

Kwetey's comments shine a light on that tension. As General Secretary, his formal role is to manage the NDC's internal affairs and serve as the administrative bridge between the party and the Mahama government. Accepting a board chairmanship — which would place him under the authority of a sector minister — could, he argues, compromise that relationship and limit his ability to speak or act freely on behalf of the party.

"It gives me liberty to be able to fully concentrate also on the party," he said, framing his appointment-free status not as a slight but as a strategic advantage. Without a government title, he is not beholden to any minister or the presidency, and can raise concerns on the party's behalf without fear of institutional consequence. "I do what I believe to be right for the party, and it's fine," he added.

Reading between the lines

For observers of NDC internal dynamics, Kwetey's remarks are worth noting. The NDC returned to power following the December 2024 general election, with President John Mahama leading the party back to the Jubilee House. With a new administration still settling in and appointments being made across government, the question of who gets what role — and who does not — remains politically charged.

Kwetey's decision to address the topic publicly, and to frame his situation positively, appears aimed at quelling any perception of marginalisation. His message is straightforward: he is not competing for a slice of government, he is focused on building the party — and right now, those two goals are best served by keeping them separate.

• Kwetey says he would have accepted a part-time government role if offered.
• He has not held any government position since the NDC returned to power.
• He argues staying out of government gives him freedom to serve the party fully.