Hon. Dr. Akwasi Opong-Fosu has proposed a new framework aimed at strengthening the role of grassroots members within the National Democratic Congress (NDC), built around three priorities: Votes, Voice and Viability.
The proposal, described as “Grassroots Inclusivity: Votes, Voice and Viability — the 3Vs,” was presented following an engagement with NDC branch members on Thursday evening.
According to a statement issued by the AOF4C campaign, the initiative is based on the principle that party members who sustain grassroots structures and mobilise voters should have a meaningful role in party decision-making while also having opportunities to improve their economic prospects.
Under the Votes component, the proposal seeks to recognise and equip branch and constituency members whose organisational activities contribute to the party’s electoral strength.
The Voice component would provide grassroots members with a more structured role in shaping party decisions. It proposes a clear channel through which ideas and proposals from the grassroots can reach regional and national leadership and receive a response.
The third component, Viability, focuses on economic empowerment and the development of financially sustainable constituency structures.
The proposal envisages constituencies identifying economic opportunities based on their local circumstances and helping interested members gain access to skills training, apprenticeships, mentorship and markets.
It also proposes support for the establishment of lawful, member-owned businesses and cooperatives, backed by clear ownership arrangements and proper financial records.
The directorate would, according to the statement, coordinate constituency-level business activities, provide technical assistance, connect local structures with credible partners and promote accountability.
The proposal would allow individual constituencies to determine their own activities according to their economic needs and opportunities.
The statement further says the programme is intended to be organised across constituencies rather than being dependent on a pilot scheme.
The engagement also placed emphasis on the need for grassroots empowerment to continue between elections.
The proposal links the 3Vs framework to the broader themes of “Restoration, Renewal and Resetting,” describing these as involving the restoration of trust in grassroots leadership, renewal of members’ economic prospects and a reset in how the party supports its members and constituency structures outside election periods.
The AOF4C campaign said the engagement reinforced the view that a sustainable grassroots organisation requires structures that remain active and economically viable beyond electoral campaigns.
