Japhet Gbede declares bid to reshape NDC communications in Akatsi South

Communicator and NDC activist Japhet Festus Gbede has declared his intention to contest for the position of Deputy Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Akatsi South Constituency.

He has pledged to help build a more proactive, coordinated and strategically driven communications structure for the party.

Gbede made his declaration after consultations with branch executives, ward coordinators, constituency executives, members of the constituency and Volta Regional communications teams, party elders and other stakeholders.

He said his decision was rooted in his longstanding commitment to the NDC and his desire to strengthen the party's communications machinery at the constituency level.

His declaration marks a return to a contest he entered in 2022, when he previously sought the same position but failed to secure the mandate of delegates.

Rather than withdrawing from party activities after the defeat, Gbede said he remained active and continued working with the Akatsi South Constituency Communications Team.

He said his continued service subsequently led to an opportunity to serve on the Volta Regional Communications Team, which he described as an important stage in his political and professional development.

He has since served on the Constituency Campaign Team while also contributing to the Communications Department and Youth Working Committee Department during the 2024 electioneering period.

Gbede, who is a special aide to the Ghana Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and Assemblymember for the Wuxor, Have and Sremanu Electoral Area, said the experiences had given him a broader understanding of political organisation and the growing importance of communication in contemporary politics.

He argued that the traditional approach to political communication must evolve to reflect the changing media environment, noting that political conversations now extend beyond campaign platforms, radio and party meetings to social media and digital platforms.

He called for a communications structure that does not merely react to issues raised by political opponents but is capable of setting the agenda and communicating the party's message proactively.

“Politics is no longer fought only on campaign platforms, radio stations and political meetings; it is fought every day in the digital space, in our communities, in conversations among young people and increasingly in the minds of voters who form opinions long before election day,” he said.

Reflecting on his unsuccessful 2022 contest, Gbede said he had not allowed the outcome to create bitterness or weaken his commitment to the party.

“2022 showed me what it means to lose an election; the years that followed showed me what it means to continue serving,” he stated.

He said his subsequent responsibilities had strengthened his conviction that leadership should be measured by service rather than position.

Gbede said he wants communicators to be better equipped to understand political issues, communicate government policies, respond to misinformation and effectively explain the party's achievements.

“I want to contribute to building a communications department that is proactive rather than reactive, organised rather than fragmented, informed rather than impulsive, and persuasive rather than merely loud,” he said.

He said the intervening years had given him practical experience in communications, campaign organisation and youth mobilisation.

“I bring the humility of yesterday, the experience of today and the determination to help shape the communications future of Akatsi South NDC,” he said.

He called on delegates to consider his record of service following his 2022 defeat and expressed readiness to work with the constituency leadership, communicators, branch structures and campaign team to strengthen the party's communications machinery.