The National Coordinator of the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP), Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye, has revealed that he is prepared to step down from his current role to contest for the National Chairmanship of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) if the party’s current chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, decides not to seek another term.
Speaking in an interview on Thursday, June 11, 2026, Mr. Vanderpuye said he possesses the experience, leadership background and commitment needed to lead the governing party.
According to him, his decision will depend largely on whether Mr. Asiedu Nketia enters the race.
“Well, I have made it clear that in case he [Johnson Asiedu Nketia] decides to contest the National Chairmanship again, I wouldn’t want to contest him because he’s my senior brother.”
“We started together in Sunyani; he’s one of the people that I respect so much, and so I wouldn’t want to contest him if he decides to contest. But if he’s not contesting, I’m ready to offer myself,” he said.
The former Minister for Youth and Sports pointed to his long history with the NDC as evidence of his readiness for the position.
He noted that he has been actively involved in the party and its affiliated youth movements since its formative years.
“I was the youth organiser of the Democratic Youth League of Ghana, the Future Leaders Organisation. I’ve always been part of this. I’m also a foundation member of the party,” he said.
Mr. Vanderpuye also recounted his early contributions to the party. He explained that during the formation of the NDC in 1992, he served as a ward secretary while simultaneously working at the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC).
“In 1992, when the party was being formed, I became a ward secretary. Even though I was working at that time at GBC, I offered myself to be a ward secretary in Koloakum Ward,” he stated.
He further highlighted the various positions he has held over the years, arguing that they have equipped him with the knowledge and experience required to lead the party at the national level.
Mr. Vanderpuye noted that he contested as a parliamentary aspirant as far back as 1996 and later served in several key government positions, including Deputy Minister for Trade, Deputy Minister for Local Government, and Minister for Youth and Sports.
He also played important roles in political campaigns and governance, serving as Director of Operations for the late President John Evans Atta Mills’ campaign and later working at the Presidency.
“I was a parliamentary aspirant as far back as 1996. Former deputy minister for trade, former deputy local government minister, former minister for youth and sports, director of operations for President Mills’ campaign, and officer at the presidency in those days.”
With these experiences behind him, Mr. Vanderpuye says he is ready to offer himself for the NDC’s top party position should the opportunity arise.
