The Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Employment Agency, Malik Basintale, has reaffirmed that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) encourages open dialogue and constructive criticism from its grassroots members.
Speaking at the General Meeting of the Tertiary Education Institutions Network (TEIN) at the University of Ghana, Basintale addressed concerns about internal disagreements within the party. He clarified that he has never stated that the leadership of the NDC has turned its back on the grassroots.
According to him, the NDC remains a party where members at all levels are free to express their concerns whenever they believe something is wrong.
Basintale explained that disagreements within the party are a natural part of democratic politics, stressing that party members are encouraged to challenge one another respectfully when issues arise.
“If anyone in the party has a problem with you, they will point it out. If I have a problem with someone, I will also tell the person. We may agree to disagree, but those glitches will always happen in politics,” he said.
He further noted that a political party where members choose to remain silent despite concerns can be more dangerous than one where people openly express their views. According to him, suppressed frustrations may eventually lead to stronger reactions when the time for accountability comes.
Basintale therefore described the NDC’s culture of open expression as healthy for democracy, explaining that identifying challenges is the first step toward resolving them.
He also observed that Ghana’s democratic environment has improved over the years, allowing citizens, political appointees, and even bloggers to freely express their opinions without fear.
“Today, if something is wrong, people will say it. Ghanaians will speak out, appointees will speak out, and bloggers will also put it out there. That is democracy,” he stated.
Basintale added that constructive criticism helps leaders identify mistakes and make necessary corrections, emphasizing that progress becomes difficult if people are unable to speak the truth.
He concluded by reiterating that the NDC remains one of the few political parties that openly accommodates internal debates, describing it as a sign of a vibrant and democratic political organization.
Story by: Ernest Frimpong (0247220948) | Follow our social media handles @uktvghana | DM us for Ads on our website or any of our socials
