'Stop the attacks' - NDC communicator defends Bernard Ahiafor

A communicator of the ruling National Democratic Congress at Akatsi South, Japhet Festus Gbede, has launched a strong defence for the Member of Parliament for Akatsi South, Bernard Ahiafor, amid growing criticisms over his decision to support the payment of nomination filing fees for branch executives within the party.

In a sharply worded statement titled “Setting the Records Straight,” Gbede accused critics of engaging in “hypocrisy, deception and calculated propaganda” aimed at discrediting the long-serving legislator despite what he described as the MP’s visible record of development across the constituency.

According to him, the attacks against Bernard Ahiafor are “shamefully dishonest and intellectually empty,” arguing that support for grassroots executives has been a long-standing political practice embraced by leaders from both the NDC and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

“For decades, political leaders across Ghana have supported branch and polling station executives in various ways because every serious politician understands the sacrifices these executives make in sustaining party structures at the grassroots,” portions of the statement said.

Festus Gbede maintained that branch executives remain the backbone of every political party and, therefore, deserve recognition and support, rather than public ridicule.

He further described attempts to portray Ahiafor’s gesture as inappropriate as politically dishonest and motivated by hatred and propaganda.

The volta regional communication team member of the ruling National Democratic Congress also took on critics who have accused the MP of failing to deliver development to the constituency, insisting that such claims are inconsistent with realities on the ground.

To buttress his point, he listed several ongoing projects in the constituency under the leadership of Bernard Ahiafor, particularly within the education sector.

The projects include 3-unit classroom blocks at Alorkpa, Glikpome and Dzuepe, the restructuring and completion of a 6-unit classroom block at Lume Avete, a water mechanisation project at Ayitikope Town, a CHPS Compound at Asafotsi, as well as classroom infrastructure projects at Duawodome and Anyiheme.

He also highlighted major interventions at the secondary and technical education level, including a 2-storey 12-unit classroom block and a 6-unit technical workshop at Avenorpeme Technical Institute, a girls’ dormitory and staff bungalows for Akatsi Senior High School, alongside several toilet and classroom facilities across schools in the constituency.

Gbede stressed that the listed projects represent only interventions for the year 2025 alone, despite Bernard Ahiafor having served as Member of Parliament since 2013.

“These projects are only within the education sector and do not even include interventions in electrification, healthcare, youth empowerment, job creation, sanitation, agriculture, roads and several other community development initiatives across Akatsi South,” he stated.

He argued that it was, therefore, “completely dishonest, irresponsible and politically immature” for anyone to suggest that the MP had neglected the constituency.

“Those making such claims know the truth, yet deliberately choose propaganda over honesty simply to score cheap political points,” he added.

Japhet Festus Gbede concluded by calling for an end to what he described as the “politics of hatred, misinformation and unnecessary attacks,” insisting that Akatsi South deserves constructive political engagement focused on unity and development rather than propaganda and bitterness.