Political commentator Stephen Atubigah has issued an open warning to President John Dramani Mahama’s brothers, urging them to take strategic steps behind the scenes to support the President amid what he describes as growing internal discontent within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the government.

In an outspoken message addressed to Alfred Mahama, Michael Mahama, Peter Mahama and Ibrahim Mahama, Atubigah expressed concern about what he considers a lack of coordination, weak leadership direction and the neglect of party grassroots supporters.

He warned that failure to address these concerns could threaten the NDC’s electoral prospects ahead of the 2028 general elections.

According to Atubigah, the President’s brothers should play a more active role in supporting his administration and helping to manage tensions between the government and the party’s structures.

He drew a comparison with the support he believes former President Nana Akufo-Addo received from his family during difficult periods of his administration.

Finance Minister’s clearance requirement allegedly crippling ministers

 

One of Atubigah’s major concerns centres on the alleged difficulties facing sector ministers in the discharge of their duties.

He claimed that the requirement for clearance from the Finance Minister before funds are released has weakened the effectiveness of ministers and prevented them from functioning as expected.

“All his sector Ministers are not functioning because funds are not being released by the Finance Minister,” he alleged, describing the situation as a major challenge for the Mahama administration.

Atubigah also questioned the level of cooperation between the government and the NDC’s party leadership, alleging that some party leaders were boycotting Cabinet meetings and participating less actively in appointment committees.

He argued that such developments could contribute to the appointment of unsuitable individuals to strategic positions and undermine the party’s interests.

These claims have not been independently verified.

NDC grassroots supporters allegedly feeling neglected

The political commentator also expressed frustration over what he described as the government's failure to adequately reward and support grassroots party members who contributed to the NDC's electoral victory.

He claimed that thousands of party foot soldiers and security personnel across the country's 276 constituencies were still waiting for employment letters allegedly promised during the election campaign.

Atubigah further questioned the reported dismissal of some party security personnel from the Castle, arguing that the treatment of loyal supporters could deepen resentment within the party.

He warned that the NDC risked taking its grassroots supporters for granted by assuming they would automatically mobilise for the party during future elections, regardless of how they were treated while in opposition or in government.

According to him, electoral victories cannot be secured through development projects alone, particularly when party members believe their sacrifices have been ignored.

Contractors allegedly dominating government appointments

Atubigah also criticised what he described as the dominance of contractors among President Mahama's appointees.

He alleged that approximately 90 per cent of the President's appointees were contractors, a situation he believes could leave party financiers and members without access to projects and opportunities.

He argued that the perceived lack of opportunities, coupled with what he considers insufficient engagement with grassroots supporters, was contributing to growing dissatisfaction within the NDC.

However, his estimate and the allegations concerning the composition of government appointees have not been independently established.

Atubigah also raised concerns about the party's public communication, claiming that some statements from the NDC's own leadership appeared to undermine the President and his administration.

He questioned whether the government and party leadership were sufficiently aware of the growing frustration he described.

‘There is no centre’ — Atubigah

In his warning, Atubigah painted a picture of an administration he believes lacks clear leadership direction and effective coordination.

“Are my brothers not worried that there is no leadership direction today? Everybody does what they want. There is no centre,” he stated.

He expressed disappointment that President Mahama's brothers had allegedly failed to step in more decisively to help the President manage the challenges confronting his government and party.

Atubigah cautioned that the NDC could face serious internal difficulties as the 2028 elections approach if the concerns of party members are not addressed.

He also issued a pointed warning to individuals within the President's inner circle, including Callistus, James and Braimah, reminding them that political influence is temporary.

“Political power always has an expiration date. A time will come when you wish those calls had been picked,” he warned.

Atubigah concluded his message by declaring that the situation reminded him of the political atmosphere of 2016, when the NDC lost power to the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

His comments raise questions about party cohesion, the relationship between government and party structures, and the management of grassroots expectations ahead of the next general election.

Whether the concerns he has raised reflect broader dissatisfaction within the NDC remains to be established. Nevertheless, his warning underscores the importance of internal party cohesion and sustained engagement with grassroots supporters as the Mahama administration moves towards the 2028 electoral contest.