Associate Professor Samuel Adu Gyemfi of the Department of History and Political Studies at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has argued that instead of expressing gratitude, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) should be reflecting deeply and offering an apology to Ghanaians for their performance while in government.
Speaking in an interview on A1 Radio, he noted that while showing appreciation is generally commendable, the context of the NPP’s loss in the 2024 general elections calls for accountability rather than celebration. He emphasized that the party’s electoral defeat should be interpreted as a form of punishment by the electorate—one that demands sincere introspection rather than a public relations tour.
Prof. Adu Gyemfi suggested that the NPP’s ongoing “Thank You” tour appears more focused on projecting unity and political strength than on genuinely engaging with the public. He observed that the party has historically struggled with internal cohesion, and current events suggest it continues to grapple with disunity and a lack of internal democratic practice.
“Once apology is out of the equation, what it simply means is that they are just trying to put up a kind of show to let the public—particularly the NPP’s base—feel that they still have it, that they’ve put their house in order, and are therefore a viable force,” he said.
He further criticized what he described as efforts by a select group within the party to maintain control of its internal structures ahead of the 2028 elections, ignoring broader ethical and moral responsibilities of political leadership. In his view, a simple, sincere apology delivered through a press conference would have been more appropriate, followed by internal reconciliation efforts, including outreach to key figures who have distanced themselves from the party.
“The party is not trying to work with its own organic democratic structures. Rather, certain individuals and a group who contested the election are trying to hold on to political power within the party, all in preparation for 2028, while overlooking the moral and ethical constraints that should guide politics.”
“You don’t need to go around all 16 regions apologizing to everybody. One press conference would have sufficed.”
Prof. Adu Gyemfi stressed the importance of the NPP positioning itself as a credible alternative to ensure a healthy political balance in Ghana. However, he warned that the current leadership approach may result in the selection of a weak presidential candidate for the next election cycle, thereby diminishing the party’s long-term prospects.
“Our great concern is that when these party leaders continue with untruths and decide to satisfy their whims or caprices, what will eventually happen is that the NPP may produce a leader who will not be viable going into the 2028 elections.”
He also called on former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to withdraw from the party’s ongoing internal processes, allowing it space to confront its challenges and redefine its path forward.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Gifty Eyram Kudiabor|Bolgatanga
