Akufo-Addo’s temperament unpresidential – Gyampo

Professor Ransford Gyampo, a political science lecturer at the University of Ghana, has attributed the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) resounding defeat in the 2024 presidential elections to the leadership style and temperament of outgoing President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

Speaking on TV3’s The Key Points programme on Saturday, December 14, Professor Gyampo described Akufo-Addo’s leadership as unpresidential and a significant factor in the party’s poor performance at the polls.

The programme, which analysed the causes of the NPP’s defeat to President-elect John Dramani Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), featured several notable panellists. Prof. Gyampo called on key stakeholders of the NPP to urgently rescue the party from what he termed the “claws” of Akufo-Addo and the current party executives.

“Let me call on the owners of the NPP to rescue the party from Akufo-Addo and his loyalists. They must act now to prevent the party from disintegrating. We need a strong opposition to hold the government accountable. The party must kick out the current executives and restore the NPP’s foundational traditions,” he asserted.

Prof. Gyampo expressed concern that the NPP risks losing its identity and relevance if urgent reforms are not undertaken. He emphasised the need for unity within the party and a return to principles that once defined its stature in Ghanaian politics.

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Criticism of Arrogance and Leadership Failures

Another panellist on the show, the outgoing Member of Parliament for Asante Akim North, Kwame Andy Appiah Kubi, criticised some appointees of President Akufo-Addo for their perceived arrogance. According to him, the attitude of these officials contributed to the NPP’s historic defeat.

“Some of the President’s appointees became too arrogant. Their conduct alienated many Ghanaians and party faithful. This arrogance, coupled with a lack of accountability, led to widespread dissatisfaction,” Appiah Kubi noted.

He singled out former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta as an example, describing him as overly powerful and dismissive of dissenting voices.

“Ken Ofori-Atta grew too pompous. He was more influential than the President and Vice President. This power imbalance is one of the reasons we demanded his removal. Many of us criticised him on various platforms, but his attitude remained unchanged,” he stated.

Call for Party Reform

Panellists on the show, agreed on the urgent need for the NPP to undertake significant reforms. Prof. Gyampo reiterated that the party must be restructured to reflect its core values and principles. “The NPP cannot afford to continue with leadership that prioritises loyalty to a few individuals over the collective good of the party and the nation,” he stressed.

 

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