Andy Appiah-Kubi, the outgoing Member of Parliament for Asante Akim North in the Ashanti Region, has pointed fingers at President Nana Akufo-Addo’s leadership as the primary cause of the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) crushing defeat in the December 7, 2024, general elections.
The NPP suffered one of its worst electoral setbacks in history, with its presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, conceding defeat even before the Electoral Commission officially announced the results. The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), led by its flagbearer John Mahama, claimed a decisive victory, securing the presidency and an absolute majority in parliament.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Upfront program, Appiah-Kubi did not mince words as he criticized President Akufo-Addo for his "recalcitrant" leadership style, which he said alienated MPs and weakened the party's chances. He particularly cited the President's refusal to heed calls from party MPs to dismiss the former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, despite widespread concerns about his performance.
Appiah-Kubi recalled how over 96 MPs united in a collective resolution to demand Ofori-Atta's dismissal. However, the President, he claimed, stubbornly ignored their appeals. "The blame will go by extension because he [Akufo-Addo] refused to listen to us," the MP said. "Even when we saw the reality and tried to communicate it to him, he wouldn’t accept anything of the sort."
The outgoing MP lamented the President's decision-making process, which he described as dismissive and unresponsive. According to him, this disregard for the concerns of the party's lawmakers was a critical factor in the NPP's electoral defeat.
Unaddressed Issues Undermine NPP's Chances
Appiah-Kubi argued that the President's unwillingness to address systemic issues within the party not only damaged its internal cohesion but also undermined the credibility of its candidate, Dr. Bawumia. He said Bawumia's campaign efforts were overshadowed by the lingering grievances within the party, many of which stemmed from Akufo-Addo's decisions.
“The President’s actions, or rather inactions, did not create an enabling environment for the NPP to excel in the elections," Appiah-Kubi stated. He emphasized that the MPs’ resolution to have Ofori-Atta replaced was not made in isolation but was a well-thought-out response to the realities on the ground.
“It’s not as though one person was saying something unwarranted. We had written our resolution, and because we didn’t have other opportunities, we wanted him to hear us. Yet, he refused to listen to any of us. That’s why we can blame him for this outcome," he added.
Losing Ground in Parliament
The NPP's defeat was not limited to the presidential race. The party also lost a significant number of parliamentary seats, leading to an NDC-controlled legislature. Appiah-Kubi himself lost his seat to an independent candidate, further reflecting the party's struggles to maintain its strongholds.
Reflecting on his personal loss, the MP acknowledged that the dissatisfaction with Akufo-Addo's leadership had permeated even the NPP's core constituencies. "He [Akufo-Addo] didn’t do enough to help Dr. Bawumia because if you won’t listen to your own MPs, how do you expect to connect with the broader electorate?" he questioned.
Appiah-Kubi highlighted that the President’s dismissive approach to the MPs' grievances signaled a broader lack of responsiveness, which alienated not just party members but also voters.
A Historic Defeat
The December 7 elections marked a historic moment in Ghana’s political landscape, with John Mahama returning to power and the NDC achieving an absolute majority in parliament. The results have sparked debates within the NPP, with many members calling for introspection and a reevaluation of the party's leadership and strategy.
While some analysts have attributed the NPP’s loss to external factors such as economic challenges and voter fatigue, Appiah-Kubi’s comments suggest that internal discord played an equally significant role.
“The reality is that we had the chance to correct certain mistakes, but the President refused to listen. Now, we’re paying the price for that,” Appiah-Kubi concluded.
Moving Forward
As the NPP grapples with the fallout from its defeat, many members are urging the party to adopt a more inclusive and responsive approach to leadership. Appiah-Kubi's remarks highlight the urgent need for the party to rebuild trust among its members and reconnect with the electorate if it hopes to recover in future elections.
Meanwhile, President-elect John Mahama and the NDC have expressed their commitment to addressing the concerns of Ghanaians, particularly in areas where the outgoing administration fell short. The transition process is expected to focus on ensuring stability and addressing the economic challenges that dominated the election campaigns.
For the NPP, the road to recovery will require not just introspection but also decisive action to rebuild its image and restore confidence among its supporters. Whether the party can rise from this defeat will depend largely on its ability to learn from the mistakes of the past and chart a new course for the future.
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