WATCH: Haruna, Ablakwa in serious ‘fight’ over NDC 2028 running mate slot

Former Board Chairman of the Ghana Airports Company Limited and host of Good Evening Ghana, Paul Adom-Otchere, has alleged that there is growing tension between the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.

According to him, the strain in their relationship is linked to internal competition within the National Democratic Congress over who could secure the party’s vice-presidential slot ahead of the 2028 elections.

Speaking on Good Evening Ghana on December 3, 2025, Adom-Otchere said the two ministers have recently taken opposing public positions on the issue of student hairstyle regulations, particularly at the Senior High School level. He argued that the disagreement goes beyond policy differences and points to a deeper political rivalry.

Adom-Otchere said Ablakwa’s public disagreement with Haruna Iddrisu over students’ hairstyles breached cabinet communication discipline, noting that such open contradictions among government ministers should not occur.

The broadcaster maintained that the real source of the tension is the struggle to become the NDC’s vice-presidential candidate in the 2028 general elections.

“The tussle for VP in NDC. That’s what they are fighting about. That is the fight. Both of them want to be the next Vice President if the NDC were to win 2028. And both of them want to be Vice President for the same presidential candidates,” he said.

He further claimed that both ministers are eyeing the opportunity to partner the current Vice President, Prof Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, should the party select her as its presidential candidate for 2028.

Adom-Otchere explained that Ablakwa has a long-standing political relationship with Prof Opoku-Agyemang dating back to her tenure as Minister of Education under former President John Dramani Mahama, when Ablakwa served as her deputy.

Haruna Iddrisu, he noted, is believed to be relying on his political experience, stature and influence within the party to strengthen his position.

He also suggested that influential NDC figures, including former National Chairman Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo and former Health Minister Alex Segbefia, are playing significant roles in shaping internal party alignments in support of Prof Opoku-Agyemang.

According to Adom-Otchere, those within the Vice President’s camp view Ablakwa as a key link to the Volta Region, which remains an important electoral base for the NDC.

He argued that both Haruna Iddrisu and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa have started positioning themselves early in anticipation of the 2028 political contest…CONTINUE MORE READING>>>