Kennedy Agyapong Warns NPP Against Complacency in 2024 Elections
Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, a former New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful, has cautioned the ruling NPP to avoid complacency as they prepare for Ghana's 2024 general elections. His warning stems from observations during the current campaign season, which he says echo the mistakes made by the party in the 2008 election, leading to an unexpected defeat.
Reflecting on the 2008 campaign, Agyapong pointed out that while the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) engaged in intensive, door-to-door campaigns, the NPP instead focused on large rallies, emphasizing music and entertainment. "In 2008, while the NDC was conducting house-to-house campaigning, we were standing on platforms with musicians, thinking we had already won. But we all saw what happened to us," Agyapong stated. He made these comments during a recent campaign event with the NPP’s current flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, in the Esikado-Ketan Constituency of the Western Region.
Despite the enthusiasm at rallies, Agyapong expressed concerns that such gatherings may not translate into the grassroots support needed to secure a victory. The NPP’s current campaign has featured performances from notable artists like King Paluta, Eno Barony, Praye, and Wendy Shay, which he fears might repeat the overconfidence of 2008 if the party does not prioritize direct voter engagement.
Agyapong urged his party to focus on a robust, voter-centered approach by conducting more one-on-one interactions with citizens, moving beyond staged performances. While acknowledging the effectiveness of a high-energy campaign, he emphasized the importance of retail politics, which Dr. Bawumia has implemented by engaging directly with voters and stakeholders.
His comments come as NPP's flagbearer, Dr. Bawumia, is reportedly balancing the high-energy rallies with personal voter interactions, even running a campaign call center to connect with constituents. Agyapong, however, insists that the NPP must ensure their efforts reach every voter in all constituencies to counter the growing momentum of the opposition.
As the December 7 election date approaches, Agyapong’s warning underscores a key strategy for the NPP to avoid repeating past mistakes: build on public enthusiasm with targeted, grassroots outreach. His advice reflects his belief that consistent engagement with voters will ultimately determine the election outcome.
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