Martin Kpebu: Asiedu Nketiah’s biggest challenge to presidency is optics, not competence

Private legal practitioner and political commentator, Martin Kpebu, has argued that the greatest obstacle to National Democratic Congress (NDC) National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah’s presidential ambitions lies in public perception about his appearance rather than his competence or political pedigree.

The debate over Mr Nketiah’s future heightened after he embarked on a post-election thank-you tour, widely viewed as part of early manoeuvring to strengthen his chances in the party’s flagbearer race.

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"When it comes to optics, generally, the issue is that Asiedu Nketiah doesn't usually look the part, but it can be managed" - Martin Kpebu on Asiedu Nketiah, Thank You Tour, and political ambition. #JoySMS

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Speaking on Accra-based Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Thursday, September 18, Mr Kpebu noted that the veteran politician enjoys enormous goodwill within the NDC. However, he said critics have long questioned whether he projects a “presidential look,” a concern that was even raised by the late former President Jerry John Rawlings.

“The elephant in the room is that, when it comes to optics generally, speaking bluntly; the issue is that Asiedu Nketiah doesn’t usually look the part. But I’m sure it can be managed, because then we look beyond optics,” he stated.

Mr Kpebu stressed that physical appearance should not be used as the yardstick for leadership, pointing to what he described as the failed performance of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. “People have said it several times that Akufo-Addo came with accent and the swag, but ended up as the worst President with corruption,” he argued.

Despite the reservations about optics, Mr Kpebu maintained that Mr Nketiah stands a real chance of winning the presidency if he chooses to contest the 2028 NDC primaries and secures the party’s ticket.

“It’s possible for him [Asiedu Nketiah] to become President, because the NDC still has a lot of goodwill. If you look at the difference between the votes garnered by John Mahama and Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, it’s over 1.6 million votes,” he said.

Mr Kpebu’s comments add to the growing national conversation on succession and leadership within the ruling NDC, as the party looks to consolidate its victory in the 2024 general elections.