Professor Samuel Adu-Gyamfi, a senior lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has provided insights into the challenges that may hinder the New Patriotic Party (NPP) from retaining the presidential seat in the upcoming 2024 election.
During an interview on TV3’s “Ghana Tonight” on October 4, 2023, the political scientist echoed the sentiments of Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, a former Minister of Agriculture and an NPP flag bearer hopeful, who expressed doubts about the party’s readiness to contest for power in the next year’s election.
Prof. Adu-Gyamfi noted that there is a prevailing sense of disappointment among Ghanaians as the current government has not met their expectations for a better life. This disillusionment has contributed to a lack of enthusiasm among voters to support the NPP for another term.
Moreover, the political scientist highlighted the internal divisions within the NPP as another significant challenge. He pointed out that the party is experiencing a period of divisiveness, with disagreements among its founding members and the current leadership. These divisions, he suggested, are linked to power struggles and differences in the vision for the party.
“The NPP is going through a metamorphosis. It is locked up in a cocoon of Asantes and Akyems. The party is going through divisiveness orchestrated by the current president when he was then candidate Akufo-Addo,” Prof. Adu-Gyamfi explained.
He further emphasized the existence of two prominent factions within the NPP, exemplified by the public disputes between Bernard Antwi Boasiako, known as Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti regional Chairman, and Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, a Member of Parliament and a flag bearer hopeful.
Professor Adu-Gyamfi further called on the National Executive Council of the NPP to address the concerns raised by party members regarding internal disunity. Recognizing and rectifying these issues, he argued, would be crucial to restoring the party’s image and competitiveness in the upcoming election.
