According to a report by MyJoyOnline, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) faces internal scrutiny following a significant defeat to the National Democratic Congress (NDC), which secured victory by over 1.6 million votes.
Frank Agyekum, spokesperson for former President John Agyekum Kufuor, has attributed part of the blame to President Nana Akufo-Addo, citing leadership shortcomings and internal party issues.
In an interview on JoyNews’ AM Show, Agyekum highlighted that public disenchantment with the NPP, exacerbated by perceived arrogance from certain members, alienated many supporters. He pointed to the imposition of unpopular candidates in various constituencies as a critical factor contributing to the party’s poor performance, noting that these developments occurred under President Akufo-Addo’s leadership.
“The signs were there, and the narrative shows that things have been falling apart for a long time. We failed to heed the warnings and take corrective actions, and that’s what has led us here,” Agyekum remarked.
He emphasized the principle of ultimate responsibility in leadership, stating, “The leader always bears the ultimate responsibility—it stops with him. When it’s good, we credit him; when it’s bad, he must share the blame.”
Agyekum also criticized the selection process for both presidential and parliamentary candidates, describing the choices as less than ideal. He observed that arrogance and systemic hardships, coupled with a failure by those in power to fully recognize public discontent, created a disconnect between the leadership and the grassroots. This disconnect, he suggested, likely contributed to the NPP’s significant defeat.
Political analyst Dr. Jonathan Asante Okyere echoed similar sentiments, advising senior figures within the NPP, including President Akufo-Addo and former President Kufuor, to take a backseat as the party navigates its post-election landscape. He suggested that the NPP needs to chart a new direction without the current leadership at the forefront.
