The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has ordered its members to refrain from discussing internal party disputes on media platforms, emphasizing the need for unity and discipline.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, March 20, and signed by General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong, the party acknowledged the disappointment among members following their recent electoral loss but stressed that internal grievances should not be aired publicly.
“As an officer of the Party, mandated by the Party’s Constitution under Article 10(7)(5) to coordinate the activities and operations of the Party, please note that all Party members are hereby directed to immediately cease discussing Party issues that create unrest, negativism, and disaffection in the media and other related platforms,” the statement read.
The directive,also referenced Article 3(5) of the NPP Constitution, which obligates members to uphold and defend the party’s reputation.
Party leadership at all levels—national, regional, and constituency—has been instructed to enforce the order and take disciplinary action against those who violate it.
The former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Constituency Chairman for Afigya Kwabre South in the Ashanti Region, Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, has made a passionate appeal to President John Dramani Mahama to work hard and leave a good legacy.
According to him, the NPP government handed over a peaceful and united Ghana to him, so he should not destroy it.
Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah
“You met a safe and united Ghana; don’t destroy it. Your administration should not send the country back to the dark days of history like the Rambo-style of arresting people, intimidation of the media and innocent people, violence, abuse of power by some of your appointees,” he pointed out.
Chairman Odeneho Kwaku Appiah, who is popularly known as COKA, made the appeal in his usual Facebook post.
John Mahama
His appeal follows the arrest of Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah, a Ghanaian journalist, by the security agencies.
The full statement is reproduced below:
Dear President JDM, your second coming to the presidency was divine because many thought you would not come back as president again, so please leave a proper legacy before your exit. When government changes, the way some security agencies do their work needs improvement. President Mahama, your administration should not send the country back to the dark days of history like the Rambo-style of arresting people, intimidation of the media and innocent people, violence, and abuse of power by some of your appointees.
JDM, the world is watching your second coming to prove people wrong and avoid the ‘tit for tat’ approach, which will not help our country.
Condemn what is wrong and bring those who are using political power to undermine our democracy to order.
Mr. President, you met a safe and united Ghana; don’t destroy it. God bless Ghana. Coka, l care .
The former Member of Parliament (MP) for Dome-Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo, has spoken out about her recent loss in the parliamentary primaries, claiming that her defeat was a result of a misunderstanding by her party.
Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosiisen, Madam Safo expressed that her actions had been misinterpreted, leading the party to punish her, ultimately costing her the chance to contest in the primaries.
Sarah Adwoa Safo
“That’s what I think the party misunderstood me on and decided to punish me, and that cost me my primaries,” she said on Tuesday, February 18, reflecting on the events leading up to her removal from the race.
The former MP explained that her defeat was orchestrated by party officials who believed she had not treated them well, despite her efforts to demonstrate remorse for any past mistakes.
Despite her remorseful actions, she felt that the perception of her conduct led to her exclusion from the primaries.
The MP also drew attention to a broader issue, one that has been a source of concern within Ghana’s political landscape.
“That is why I stated earlier that we have fewer female lawmakers in Parliament,” Safo remarked, hinting that her treatment might be part of a larger trend affecting women in politics.Source: Emmanuel Tetteh
The outcome of 2024 general election, has taught us useful lessons in so many ways,and it is about time we use this period to reflect, reform, rebuild, rebrand, restrategize, and transform the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the 2028 general election and beyond.
Razak Kojo Opoku(PhD)
So far, the Electoral Commission of Ghana has declared the results of 275 out of the 276 Constituencies with Mr John Mahama having a commanding lead of 1,714,179 votes difference between him and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
Based on the 275 out of 276 Constituencies, John Mahama had 6,591,179 votes representing 56.42%, and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia had 4, 877,611 votes representing 41.75%.
Consequentially, if the votes of the outstanding Constituency, Ablekuma North with 121,269 votes are added, definitely the percentile differential would change with John Mahama attaining 57% and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia dropping to 38-40%. This would be the worst result ever for an incumbent government since 1992.
In the 2000 Presidential election, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, the first ever sitting Vice-President to contest general election to succeed his boss Rawlings, lost the election with 2, 895, 575 votes (44.54% in the first round) and 2,750,124 votes (43.10% in the second round).
Mr. John Kufuor won the first round and second round respectively with 3,131,739 votes(48.17%) and 3,631,263 votes(56.90%). Therefore, the percentile differential between Mr John Kufuor and Prof. Atta Mills after the second round of the 2000 presidential election was 881,139 votes, that is, Prof. Atta Mills and the ruling NDC lost the 2000 presidential election with a gap of 881,139 votes.
In the 2008 general election, Nana Akufo-Addo respectively had 4, 159,439 votes(49.13%) and 4, 480, 446(49.77%) in the first and second rounds while John Atta Mills respectively had 4,056,634(47.92%) and 4,521,032(50.23%) in the first and second rounds. The percentile differential between Prof. Atta Mills and Nana Akufo-Addo after the run-off in the 2008 presidential election was 40, 586 votes, that is, Nana Akufo-Addo and the ruling NPP lost the 2008 presidential election with a gap of 40,586 votes.
In the 2016 presidential election, John Mahama had 4, 771, 188 votes(44.4%), and Nana Akufo-Addo had 5,755,758 votes(53.83%). That is, John Mahama and the ruling NDC lost the 2016 presidential election with a gap of 984,570 votes.
Henceforth, moving into the 2028 general election, the NPP would require Redirection and a very serious reforms such as:
Scrapping the Special Delegates Conference
The Special Delegates Conference (Super Delegates) has completely outlived its usefulness. It has become a special purpose vehicle for corruption, bribery, intimidations, manipulation, ‘mafiarism’, cronyism, misrepresentation of delegates album, false representation of prevailing reality on the ground, and a cashcow for some executives of the Party.
The Special Delegates Conference defeat the purpose of participatory democracy and meritocracy, creating a bad political branding image for the New Patriotic Party.
The solution to preventing so many people from participating in the presidential primary can be achieved through reviewing the vetting process as well as tightening the criteria for approving contestants to vie for the Flagbearership position.
Expanding the Electoral College of NPP
Furtherance to the scrapping of the Special Delegates Conference, there is the urgent need to expand the NPP Electoral College to cover the following categories of members of the Party with voting rights to elect the Party’s Flagbearer aimed at reducing apathy & rejections, promoting inclusiveness & a sense of collective ownership of the party as well as strengthening participatory democracy within the NPP:
(a). All Former Members of Parliament who are in good standing and still loyal to the Party.
(b). All Former Government Appointees including Ministers/Deputy Ministers, CEOs/MDs/DGs/Exec. Secretaries, MMDCEs and Ambassadors/High Commissioners who are card bearing members of the Party as well as in good standing and still loyal to the Party.
(c). All Former Party’s Executives(both Elected & Appointed) from the Polling Station, Constituency, Regional, National and external levels who are in good standing and still loyal to the Party.
It is important to state that, NPP should NOT repeat mistakes of the NDC post 2016 general election of including all card bearing members to be part of the Electoral College. Since such approach wasn’t successful with the NDC it would definitely not be successful with the NPP too.
Including all card bearing members to be part of Electoral College would become a threat to the integrity and credibility of the Delegates Album.
Restructuring and Alignment of the National Campaign Team
There is no doubt that, the 2024 National Campaign Team was highly ineffective, and lacking coherence. The National Campaign Team was at completely VARIANCE with Nana Akufo-Addo’s Government, and the headquarters of the New Patriotic Party, thereby taking every credit for the achievements of Akufo-Addo’s Government but at the same time putting all the blames on Nana Akufo-Addo and his family members for the failures of the Government. Such strategy was completely NEOPHYTIC.
The best national presidential campaigns ever managed by the NPP were 2000, 2008 and 2016. During the aforementioned era of campaigning, there was a Synergy and mouth-of-oneness between the Presidential campaign and the Party.
… Signed…
Razak Kojo Opoku(PhD)
Founding President
UP Tradition Institute
Former Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has recalled an unheeded warning from the Ashanti overlord, which was a contributory factor to the New Patriotic Party (NPP)’s abysmal showing in the 2024 elections.
He told Nhyira FM that a significant warning had come from Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II in 2017 when he cautioned President Akufo-Addo that hunger and anger had led to the downfall of the Mahama government in 2016.
He warned that if the same conditions prevailed under Akufo-Addo, history would repeat itself.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II,Asantehene and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
Reflecting on the party’s defeat, the former Suame MP noted that unlike previous elections, no massive crowds were lining the streets to welcome Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, signaling a growing disconnection between the party and the electorate.
The Chairman of the NPP manifesto committee admitted that the lack of enthusiasm during Dr Bawumia’s campaign was an early sign of the challenges the NPP faced in the 2024 elections.
Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu revealed that while they remained hopeful, the economic hardships in the country had already taken a toll on voter confidence.
He suggested that if the elections had been held in August instead of December, Dr. Bawumia might have secured only 30% of the votes against John Mahama, as the economic situation had begun to show signs of improvement closer to the elections.
Several factors contributed to the NPP’s defeat, including economic hardships, public perception of corruption, and a leadership style viewed as rigid and disconnected.
Many believed the government was controlled by a small inner circle, leading to frustration among both party members and the general public.
Additionally, there was a growing perception that Dr. Bawumia was merely an extension of President Akufo-Addo, which affected his ability to inspire confidence as an independent leader.
Regional grievances also played a role in the party’s decline. In the Ashanti Region, traditionally an NPP stronghold, there was widespread dissatisfaction over the perceived neglect of infrastructure development.
This, coupled with internal party tensions and factionalism, further weakened their support base.Regarding the future of the NPP, Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu emphasised the need for introspection and reforms.
He stated that many party supporters had expressed their grievances openly, which he considered a positive sign, as it meant they were still willing to engage with the party if meaningful changes were made.
The question of Dr. Bawumia’s political future remains uncertain. While the Ashanti Region’s post-election analysis did not attribute the loss to his religion or ethnicity, the broader feedback from other regions would ultimately determine his viability as a future flagbearer.
Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu also acknowledged that the choice of running mate, Dr Matthew Opoku-Prempeh (Napo), had been an attempt to bridge internal party divides. However, despite high expectations, Napo did not deliver the anticipated youth support.Source: Abubakar Ibrahim
Jean Mensa, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), has proposed the adoption of a “simplified” e-voting system as a solution to the persistent issue of invalid or rejected ballots in African elections.
She explained that using a direct recording device where voters select their preferred candidate or party logo on a screen would eliminate the traditional thumb-printing method, which often leads to errors.
Mrs.Jean Mensah in a group photograph with stakeholders
Her proposal follows concerns over the excessive waste of ballot papers in Ghana’s general elections.
According to an audit by the Electoral Commission, between 1992 and 2020, one to three per cent of votes in Ghana’s national elections were rejected. In the 2020 General Election, 2.33 % of ballots were invalid, a figure that dropped slightly to 2.08 % in the 2024 polls.
An in-depth analysis by the EC identified high voter illiteracy, voter dissatisfaction with candidates, and excessive caution by electoral officers as key factors contributing to rejected ballots.
Speaking at the Ninth Annual Continental Forum for Electoral Management Bodies in Accra on Wednesday, March 12, Jean Mensa expressed concern over the increasing rate of rejected ballots, warning that such trends could influence election outcomes. She urged electoral management bodies to analyse the complex factors leading to invalid votes and develop effective solutions.
“In the ever-evolving era of technology, it is about time that we as a continent begin to consider more effective and efficient mechanisms for voters to cast their ballots,” she stated.
The two-day Forum, hosted by Ghana’s Electoral Commission in collaboration with the African Union and the Association of African Election Authorities, has brought together over 40 representatives from electoral management bodies across Africa. Themed “All votes count: addressing the problem of invalid or rejected ballots in Africa.” the event aims to enhance the integrity of electoral processes and strengthen public trust in voting systems.
Jean Mensa also disclosed that discussions on adopting e-voting technology in Ghana have already begun. However, she assured stakeholders that the transition “will not be rushed.”
She further noted that the Forum would explore global best practices and innovative electoral systems to minimize rejected ballots. Additionally, she emphasized the need for public sensitization and comprehensive training for electoral officers to improve voting accuracy.
Former Chief Justice and Member of the Council of State, Madam Sophia Akuffo, echoed these concerns, stating that the rising number of rejected ballots poses a threat to Africa’s democracy.
“The democratic process of elections on our continent is at risk of being undermined by the increasing number of invalid or rejected ballots,” she cautioned.
She urged governments, electoral bodies, and stakeholders to renew efforts to safeguard public confidence in the electoral process.
Similarly, Mr. Fabio Bargiacchi, Founder and Executive Director of the European Centre for Electoral Support, emphasized the importance of collaboration among African election management bodies. He called for greater knowledge-sharing and experience exchange to strengthen democratic institutions and public trust in electoral systems.Source: GNA
Dr. J.B. Danquah was a politician with high pedigree, scholar, a lawyer, and statesman. Dr. J.B Danquah was a politician in pre and post-colonial Ghana.
These attributes alone should command a degree of respect for such a personality, especially from someone who pride himself as renowned historian and journalist.
I’m directly referring to Mr. Kwesi Pratt, Managing Editor of The Insight newspaper.
Mr. Pratt, I believe you enjoy the title ‘senior journalist’ so much when it’s attached to your name on national television programmes? Note that this is done to signify the significance of your contributions to the journalism profession. But you know too well that you had not been in this profession without flaws. So should the young ones disrespect you for this reason? Or use disparaging words describe you?
If not. Why would you, for whatever interest, attack the personality of Dr J.B Danquah despite his contributions to this country as a politician, lawyer and statesman?
Winning or losing an election is not a determinant of greatness. So many people are national heroes without contesting or even winning an election.
Mr. Pratt, have you ever won election in this country before? On that basis, can we say that Kwesi Pratt is of no relevance or usefulness to nation-building of Ghana? Has Kwesi Pratt’s father or any family member ever won an election in Ghana?
No one has imposed Dr. J. B. Danquah on Ghanaians but the facts of our history still remains that, Dr. J. B. Danquah:
1. Plays instrumental role in Ghana’s independence and democracy.
2. Was a significant member of the “Big Six” just like Kwame Nkrumah was a significant member of the “Big Six” .
3. Contributed significantly to the human capital development of Ghana in the areas of Journalism, Activitism, and Education.
Equating Chairman Wontumi to J. B. Danquah is unfortunate comparison and very crèche.
Dr. J. B. Danquah is not equivalent to Kwame Nkrumah or Chairman Wontumi. He is a class of his own, and has significantly contributed to the independence journey of Ghana. The hatred of uncle Kwesi Pratt cannot override the contributions of Dr. J. B. Danquah to the political history of Ghana.
The Patriotic Youth Alliance (PYA) has commended the nomination of Hon. Abena Osei-Asare as the Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee of Ghana’s Parliament, describing it as a step towards greater transparency and accountability in public financial management.
In a statement issued by the youth-led organization, the PYA expressed confidence in Hon. Osei-Asare’s ability to steer the committee towards its mandate of ensuring prudent financial oversight and good governance. Her appointment, the group noted, is a reflection of her competence, integrity, and dedication to public service.
Hon. Abena Osei-Asare, a distinguished Member of Parliament and a former Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, has been a vocal advocate for fiscal responsibility and sound economic management.
Her tenure in public office has been marked by diligence and an unwavering commitment to upholding accountability in the use of state resources.
Hon. Abena Osei-Asare
The Public Accounts Committee plays a critical role in scrutinizing government expenditures and ensuring that public funds are managed efficiently. With Hon. Osei-Asare at the helm, many expect the committee to strengthen its oversight function, promoting transparency and restoring public confidence in state financial management.
The Patriotic Youth Alliance emphasized that her appointment serves as a source of inspiration for young Ghanaians, particularly women, who aspire to leadership positions in governance and public administration. The group urged youth across the country to draw motivation from her journey, which underscores the values of hard work, commitment, and integrity.
“As a youth-led organization committed to national development, we see this nomination as a beacon of hope. It proves that with determination and excellence, young people—especially women—can break barriers and contribute meaningfully to the governance of our nation,” the statement read.
The PYA pledged its full support to Hon. Abena Osei-Asare and expressed optimism that her leadership will drive impactful reforms within the Public Accounts Committee. The organization further called on stakeholders to rally behind her as she takes on this crucial responsibility.
“We wish Hon. Abena Osei-Asare success in her new role and trust that her tenure will be marked by efficiency, accountability, and progress for the betterment of Ghana,” the statement concluded.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has been warned by Stephen Amoah, the Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso in the Ashanti Region, often known as Sticka, to disclose the true causes of the 2024 election defeat in the area, or he will disclose them himself.
Sticka demands an apology for the alleged misrepresentation, claiming that the party’s executive caucus has issued a report that unfairly accuses him and damages his constituency’s reputation. Despite the party-sanctioned team, he claims the report accuses him of running an alternate campaign team during the race, a charge he strongly refutes. Additionally, he disputes the report’s assertion that he didn’t make use of billboards and posters.
Dr.Stephen Amoah
Speaking in an interview on Hello FM on March 3, 2025, Sticka questioned why the report singled out certain MPs or categories of people, while omitting others.
He cautioned that, if the party fails to retract the false claims and issue an apology, he will “spill it all” to the public. “How can they file a report about how we lost an election in the region and some people’s names won’t be featured? Is that what they want to do here? In this region, I don’t fear anybody, but I respect everybody. Ask them if they have asked me anything before, my constituency chairwoman, first vice, or second vice, or even secretary, youth organizer up to Nasara. Who told them that we had an alternative campaign?”
He further stated, “I have seen that in Nhyiaso, they have schemed to destroy me and my constituency. So, if they don’t come out and speak the truth and retract, I will also come out and tell the public about how we lost the election in the Ashanti region.”
This development follows the recent revelation by former Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu regarding the circumstances surrounding the leakage of the fact-finding committee’s report on the NPP’s election defeat in the Ashanti Region.Source: big familyonline.com
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Asokwa constituency in Kumasi and Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, has said that there is no hope in President John Dramani Mahama’s State of the Nation’s Address (SONA), delivered before Parliament on Thursday, 27th February 2025.
President John Dramani delivered his first State of the Nation’s Address (SONA) in Parliament, pursuant to Article 67 of the 1992 constitution, to give Ghanaians an actual update on the country’s economic, social, and financial state.
Patricia Appiagyei
Many Ghanaians have expressed varied opinions about the President’s State of the Nation Address. While some people have expressed hope in the address, others, especially the minority, have cast doubts on the numerous promises President John Dramani seeks to deliver.
The Asokwa lawmaker, however, stated that President Mahama’s address did not accurately reflect the true state of Ghana’s economy, arguing that the President only lamented rather than focusing on the issues and finding lasting solutions to them.
During an interview with the press after the SONA, Madam Appiagyei said, “I don’t think there’s hope for anyone because all I heard were lamentations. If you are lamenting, you’ve been given the responsibility, and you claim to have received a resounding victory; then fix it. What we expect are the plans to fix it.”
According to her, the true state of the nation involved issues such as lawlessness, job losses as executed by the President, and increasing insecurity across the length and breadth of the country.
She added, “The true state of the nation is not what the President delivered today. If we are talking about 50 days in office, the real state of the government involves lawlessness, the revocation of employment, and insecurity.
The deputy minority leader said that Ghanaians expect the President to present something that would “wow” all Ghanaians instead of the usual old story.
“What we also expected was for the president to present something that would make everyone say, “wow” but instead, it was just business as usual. There was nothing significantly new in what the President said,” she reiterated.
