Justine Frimpong Kodua’s position as General Secretary has come under increasing discussion within party circles. There are indications that as many as seven party members may be interested in contesting the position. If this happens, it will certainly become one of the most competitive internal races. Such intense interest in one office reflects not only its importance but also the high stakes attached to controlling it.

Some party supporters have criticised Lawyer Kodua’s leadership, calling it weak or overly compromising. They argue that he has not been firm enough in enforcing discipline. While these criticisms cannot be dismissed outright, they often overlook the difficult context in which he has operated. Leadership should be assessed not only by outcomes but also by circumstances.

In truth, Lawyer Kodua assumed office during one of the most challenging periods in the party’s history, particularly while the party was in government. The party faced deep internal tensions, public disagreements, and sustained pressure from the opposition.

The widely discussed 2023 internal “showdown” exposed serious cracks. The departure of senior figures, including Alan Kyeremanteng, further weakened party cohesion and morale. At the same time, economic hardship and public pressure over the tenure of the then-Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, placed the national leadership under intense scrutiny.

Managing indiscipline during such a period was never going to be easy. Any attempt to take action against errant members was bound to draw resistance and controversy. Yet throughout these turbulent moments, Lawyer Kodua remained on duty, working to keep the party together and functioning.

It is therefore misleading to reduce his tenure to claims of weakness or failure. By all fair standards, he is one of the most tested and experienced General Secretaries the party has produced. Even those positioning themselves as potential challengers are fully aware of the weight of responsibility he has carried and the lessons he has gained.

As the party prepares for the future, particularly as it looks toward 2028, the question should not be whether the position can be contested; it certainly can. The more important question is whether this is the right time to abandon experience for experimentation. Leadership shaped by crisis carries institutional memory that cannot be replaced overnight.

Lawyer Kodua may not be without fault, but he has paid his dues. He has served through the most difficult period of governance in the party’s history, not in opposition but in power. Retaining him would not be an act of sentiment; it would be a strategic decision grounded in continuity, experience, and stability. In moments like these, prudence should outweigh impatience.