A wave of discontent is sweeping through the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Council of State following the exclusion of veteran party stalwart Alhaji Said Sinare from a fresh list of ambassadorial appointments submitted for approval last Thursday.
Sinare, a long-time loyalist and a political force within Ghana’s Muslim and Zongo communities, was reportedly set to receive one of the most strategic ambassadorial postings.
However, in a last-minute twist that has stunned party loyalists and insiders alike, his name was replaced by that of his cousin, actress Kalsoume Sinare, a move sources have condemned as an act of political nepotism.
Insiders familiar with the Council’s deliberations revealed to this outlet that the replacement has triggered strong backlash, with senior members of the Council expressing disappointment over what they describe as a betrayal of loyalty, commitment, and long-term service to the party.
“This is not just about one man being removed,” said a source close to the Council. “It’s about the message being sent that dedication, sacrifice, and grassroots mobilization mean nothing in this current political arrangement.”
Alhaji Said Sinare, who has served as Ghana’s ambassador to both Egypt and Saudi Arabia, is widely credited with helping to secure the NDC’s support base in the Zongo communities, especially in tightly contested elections like those in 2016, 2020, and 2024.
His efforts, often financed personally, saw him tour over 4,000 Zongo communities to strengthen party loyalty and mobilize votes for the NDC.
“To disregard that kind of sacrifice, only to elevate someone with no similar track record and a family relation at that is an affront not only to Sinare, but to all those who have worked behind the scenes for the party,” said a frustrated regional organizer of the NDC.
The 22-member list, which includes names such as Baba Jamal, Victor Smith, Kojo Bonsu, and Hon. Moses Asaga, is believed to have undergone several revisions before submission.
Despite significant internal lobbying by some Council of State members to retain Alhaji Sinare, party insiders claim that external influences prevailed.
It is however held that the party risks alienating a critical voter bloc with this perceived snub.
“Our brothers and sisters in the Zongos are watching. Sinare represents their struggles, their aspirations, their voice. Neglecting him will not go unnoticed.”
The growing chorus of disapproval has placed increasing pressure on NDC flagbearer and former President John Dramani Mahama, who many believe must intervene to prevent lasting damage.
Several grassroots organizations within the Zongo communities have reportedly begun mobilizing to petition the party leadership over the issue.
“This isn’t about entitlement,” one NDC youth organizer from Madina told this publication. “It’s about recognizing service and not rewarding lineage over legacy.”
As murmurs of discontent grow louder, the NDC faces a crucial test: will it continue to prioritize loyalty and legacy, or risk fracturing its core support base through political favoritism?
With election momentum already building, the stakes are high and the Zongo voice, long a pillar of NDC support, may be the deciding factor.
