The USA Chapter of National Zongo Caucus of Ghana’s opposition party the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has donated bags of rice and cooking oil to the former President’s office in Accra as a support to his unwavering commitment and sacrifices for the party.
It comes ahead of Eid al-Adha festivities on Sunday where the party’s flagbearer annually donates foodstuffs to the Muslim community in an act mirroring his compassionate leadership.
About 100 bags of rice and 100 cartons of cooking oil were delivered to the office on Friday by the chapter, thanking the party’s leader for keeping up with the tradition of providing support to the umbrella party’s numerous supporters in the Zongo community.
The donation was presented by the leadership of the NDC USA chapter, led by Imam Alhasan Kamastey.
The former President has been championing such donations from his own pocket, and the gesture from the US Chapter adds more weight to the donation exercise that has existed for more than a decade.
Imam Kamastey expressed the chapter’s gratitude to the former President for his commitment to the party’s ideals and development contributions.
“President Mahama’s leadership has been an inspiration to us all, and we are honored to show our appreciation for his service,” he said.
“He has over the years ensured the NDC kept its ties with the Zongo community by doing lots of acts of kindness both in power and in opposition. We appreciate his sacrifices.”
Sunday, June 16th, marks this year’s Eid al-Adha, an Islamic festival where sacrifices are made. With its dominance in Ghana’s Zongo community, the NDC has always donated to the Muslim community, whether in government or in opposition.
According to the coordinator of the US-Branch, Alhaji Abdul Salaam Zeeba, the chapter supports continuing Mahama’s affection towards the Zongos. “His dedication to the Zongo community is exemplary; we are proud to contribute,” he said from his base in the US.
“The former president normally does this donation alone from his personal coffers, and we felt it’s about time we supported this move as the Zongos have been so loyal to the NDC,” Zeeba added.
Zeeba also praised the former President’s leadership, which inspired the chapter’s formation.
The former President’s office expressed appreciation for the kind gesture, acknowledging the chapter’s efforts in promoting the party’s values abroad.
This donation highlights the strong bond between the NDC USA chapter and Mahama’s office, demonstrating their shared commitment to the party’s progress and Ghana’s prosperity.
With the next presidential and parliamentary elections slated for December 2024, the NDC is working hard to unseat the incumbent NPP government led by President Nana Akufo-Addo. Mahama is expected to be the NDC’s flagbearer again after his defeat in 2016 and 2020.
The opposition party hopes to capitalize on perceived missteps by the Akufo-Addo administration, including economic challenges, to win over voters disillusioned by unfulfilled promises. However, they face an uphill battle against the NPP’s effective campaign machinery and propaganda tactics.
Political analysts predict a fierce electoral battle in key swing regions and constituencies. The NDC’s outreach to communities like the Zongos that have been their traditional strongholds could prove decisive. But the NPP also has its eyes on making inroads in those areas.
With high stakes for the direction of Ghana’s development agenda, the 2024 polls are shaping up to be a hard-fought democratic contest between the two main parties and their presidential candidates.
