An aspiring Deputy Communications Officer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Akatsi South, Japhet Festus Gbede, says he is offering his experience and work ethic as an asset to re-energize the party’s communication in the constituency.
Mr. Gbede, who is the Assembly Member for Wuxor, Have and Sremanu Electoral Area and also serves as special aide to Ghana’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, made this known after officially filing his nomination at the party’s Election Directorate.
According to him, his bid is not new to him. He first contested the same position in 2022 and although he lost, he stayed active within the party structures.
“I contested this position in 2022, so I know the road. I know the terrain, I know the challenges and I know what the job requires,” he told supporters after submitting his forms.
He said delegates in Akatsi South are witnesses to his continuous service after that defeat, including his role in the party’s communication and campaign efforts during the 2024 general elections which contributed to the NDC’s victory.
Mr. Gbede believes the next phase of opposition communication in Akatsi South must be reset and rebuilt around innovation, grassroots engagement and a strong digital presence.
He argued that relying only on traditional channels is no longer enough, especially when a huge segment of voters and party sympathizers now live and interact online.
His plan, he said, is to create a responsive communication system that will take the party’s message and development agenda directly to communities, noting that over 80 percent of voters can be reached through digital platforms.
He cited his inclusion in the Volta Regional Communications Team as the youngest member as proof of his capacity to deliver modern, effective political messaging, adding that the regional exposure has sharpened his skills.
“Akatsi South knows who is ready to work. Akatsi South knows who knows the job. I have demonstrated what I can do, and I am ready to bring that experience to the constituency,” he stated.
Anchoring his campaign on three words — READY, WILLING and CAPABLE — Mr. Gbede said he has also built a detailed database of delegates and their communities to better appreciate local concerns and priorities.
According to him, the data will enable the party to understand community needs and respond with targeted communication and organization.
He stressed that his goal is to build a communication machinery that not only defends the NDC but also sells its achievements and connects people from the grassroots to the national and international narrative.
“My hard work and fearless communication are a political currency for everyone to spend in Akatsi South,” he said.
