NDC Will Jail Its Own Officials If Necessary, Kwetey Declares Amid Visa Scandal Questions

The National Democratic Congress has drawn a sharp line in the sand over accountability, with General Secretary Fifi Fiavi Kwetey declaring publicly that no minister, chief executive or party official will be shielded from consequences — including prosecution — if they are found to have acted wrongly whilst in government.

Speaking on Joy News' PM Express on Tuesday, Kwetey delivered what amounts to one of the most direct accountability statements from a ruling party official in recent Ghanaian political memory, telling viewers bluntly: "If you have to go to jail, we'll jail you."

What prompted the warning

Kwetey's remarks were made in direct response to questions about an alleged World Cup visa scandal that has begun attracting scrutiny around the conduct of officials connected to the current administration. He did not shy away from the broader implications of the question, instead using the moment to lay out what he described as the NDC's governing philosophy on internal discipline.

He acknowledged that no administration — regardless of its values or intentions — could expect to complete a full four-year term entirely free of controversy or misconduct. "To be honest with you, I didn't expect that we would go four years without any problem. It's not possible," he said, adding that political parties were made up of human beings, not angels.

The critical distinction, he argued, was not whether problems arose, but how leadership chose to respond when they did. "You take a tough decision. You deal with them, no matter who they are, whether they are ministers or they are CEOs, no matter where you deal with them, and that is what makes the difference."

Why it matters for Ghana

Ghana has a long and well-documented history of political parties finding it difficult to hold their own officials accountable once in power. The incentives to protect allies, maintain political coalitions and avoid embarrassment have historically outweighed the appetite for internal discipline — a pattern that has fuelled public cynicism about governance across administrations.

Kwetey's statement is therefore significant not simply as political rhetoric but as a public commitment that Ghanaians will now be watching closely. If the NDC follows through on this standard, it would represent a meaningful departure from the norm. If it does not, the words will be used against the party at every turn.

The General Secretary was also direct in his criticism of how the previous NPP administration under former President Nana Akufo-Addo handled internal scandals. He argued that the core problem was never the occurrence of wrongdoing itself — that, he conceded, happens in every government — but the culture of cover-up and denial that he said characterised the NPP's response. "The problem was Akufo-Addo covering it up, pretending it wasn't happening, and defending it. That is the difference," Kwetey said.

By drawing this contrast so explicitly, the NDC is effectively inviting the public to hold them to a higher standard — a bold move that carries real political risk if accountability promises go unfulfilled.

The bigger picture on party discipline

Kwetey's comments also touch on a deeper tension within any governing party: the gap between the values a movement espouses and the behaviour of the individuals who carry its banner into office. He acknowledged this honestly, noting that membership of the NDC did not automatically guarantee that a person would uphold its principles. Some individuals, he said, profess values they are ultimately incapable of living by.

The responsibility of the party, he stressed, was to recognise those failures quickly and respond decisively — not to sacrifice its long-term reputation in order to protect short-term political comfort.

• Kwetey said the NDC will not shield officials from jail over wrongdoing.
• Remarks came amid questions about an alleged World Cup visa scandal.
• He criticised the NPP for covering up scandals rather than addressing them.