The CEO of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), Eric Agyei, has responded to criticisms by Deputy General Secretary of the NDC, Mustapha Gbande, arguing that Gbande himself is a government appointee and cannot distance himself from concerns about how appointees relate to grassroots supporters.

According to a report by mynewsgh.com on May 12, 2026, Agyei was reacting to remarks by Gbande suggesting that some NDC members abandon the party and its grassroots base whenever the party is out of power, with some allegedly forming new associations outside their traditional political circles.

“He is also an appointee. We are all appointees, so which appointees is he referring to?” Agyei questioned.

He argued that if concerns exist about the treatment of party supporters by government officials, then Gbande must also accept responsibility as part of the current administration.

“So, if appointees are not treating others well, then he is also part of it,” he said.

Agyei further maintained that many government appointees quietly support party faithful without publicising their efforts.

“Does he know what people are doing for the grassroots supporters? Does he know the relationships we have with them?” he asked.

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He also accused Gbande of portraying himself as morally superior to his colleagues.

“He should stop pretending and acting like a saint. I do not like it when people speak that way,” Agyei stated.

While expressing respect for Gbande as a senior member of the NDC, Agyei cautioned him against making statements that could create tension between party supporters and government officials.

“He is my senior and I respect him, but he should not incite party members against appointees,” he cautioned.

Agyei also called for restraint in public commentary on internal party matters, stressing the need for responsible communication.

“We should be measured in how we talk about our party publicly. No one is better than the other; everyone is doing their work,” he said.

He concluded by urging party members to avoid emotional commentary and recognise that not all support activities are carried out publicly.

“Not showing off does not mean we have abandoned the party to ransom. Is he expecting us to broadcast everything we do? That is not how things are done,” he added.

MRA/VPO

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