Pollster Mussa Dankwah has suggested that the chances of Edwin Nii Lantey Vanderpuye winning the National Chairmanship position of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have declined following comments he made about the party’s National Communications Officer and GoldBod Chief Executive Officer, Sammy Gyamfi.
Dankwah made the observation during an appearance on TV3’s The KeyPoints on Saturday, October 24, 2026, as discussions intensify over the NDC’s upcoming national executive elections.
According to Dankwah, Nii Lantey had been leading in the race before his remarks about Gyamfi and GoldBod triggered anger among some party members. He said the comments appeared to have affected the aspirant’s standing, despite an apology reportedly issued afterwards. Editorial Standards
“Nii Lantey was leading but dropped after his comments about Sammy Gyamfi and GOLDBOD,” Dankwah said during the programme.
The pollster’s assessment comes at a significant moment for the NDC, which is preparing to elect new national executives ahead of the next phase of its political activities.
The National Chairmanship contest is expected to attract considerable attention, particularly because the party’s current chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, has indicated that he will not seek re-election.
Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, a former Member of Parliament for Odododiodoo and former Minister of Youth and Sports, is among the political figures associated with the contest.
His campaign, like those of other aspirants, will depend on support from party delegates, organisational structures and perceptions of his ability to lead the party.
Dankwah’s comments suggest that public and internal party reactions to an aspirant’s statements can influence how delegates assess candidates.
In a party leadership contest, an aspirant’s communication style, relationships with influential figures and ability to maintain unity may become important considerations alongside experience and political credentials.
However, Dankwah’s remarks represent his assessment of the race. They do not, by themselves, establish the extent of any change in delegate support or confirm that Nii Lantey’s prospects have definitively declined. The outcome of the contest will ultimately depend on the party’s electoral process and the decisions of eligible delegates.
The issue also highlights the importance of party cohesion as the NDC prepares for a leadership transition. With Asiedu Nketiah not seeking another term, the party faces the task of selecting a successor while maintaining unity among its members and supporters.
Speaking on the same programme, NDC communications team member Hamza Suhuyini said the party would miss the institutional memory of Asiedu Nketiah. Editorial Ethics & Independence
He described the outgoing chairman as an experienced figure whose knowledge of the party’s history and structures would be difficult to replace.
Suhuyini said the party recognised the importance of the institutional knowledge Asiedu Nketiah brings, but was working to ensure that the transition did not leave a leadership vacuum.
“It is not just his experience, but institutional memory. We will not pretend that indeed we are not going to miss an important figure; we will,” he said.
He added that the party was making efforts to fill the gap.
The comments come after the NDC closed nominations for its 2026 National Executive Elections. In a statement dated October 21, the party announced that 137 prospective aspirants had picked nomination forms to contest 14 executive positions.
The nomination process closed at 5 p.m. on that day, according to the statement signed by Dr Peter Boamah Otokunor, spokesperson for the Congress Elections Committee.
Prospective candidates have 14 days to complete their nomination forms, pay the required filing fees and obtain the necessary endorsements in line with the party’s guidelines for the 2026 National Congress.
The filing of completed nomination forms is scheduled for November 7 to 9, 2026, at the NDC headquarters in Adabraka, Accra. The process will determine which aspirants meet the requirements to proceed in the contest.
The upcoming elections are expected to shape the party’s leadership and organisational direction. The National Chairperson plays a central role in coordinating party activities, overseeing internal structures and helping maintain unity among members across the country. Corrections Policy
For aspirants, the period before the congress offers an opportunity to engage delegates, communicate their vision and demonstrate their capacity to manage internal disagreements. It also presents risks, as comments that generate controversy may affect relationships within the party.
Dankwah’s assessment of Nii Lantey’s prospects has therefore added another dimension to the chairmanship discussion. Whether the reported decline translates into a meaningful change in delegate support remains to be seen.
As the nomination process advances, the NDC’s leadership contest is likely to remain a focus of political discussion, with aspirants seeking to balance campaign messaging, party unity and the expectations of delegates.