The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) defeat in the 2024 elections can be attributed to several factors, including an unheeded warning from Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. In 2017, the Ashanti overlord cautioned President Akufo-Addo that hunger and anger led to the downfall of the Mahama government in 2016, warning that history would repeat itself if the same conditions prevailed under Akufo-Addo.
According to Former Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the party’s defeat was also due to economic hardships, public perception of corruption, and a leadership style viewed as rigid and disconnected. The lack of enthusiasm during Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s campaign was an early sign of the challenges the NPP faced in the 2024 elections.
*Factors Contributing to NPP’s Defeat:*
– _Economic Hardships_: The economic situation in the country had taken a toll on voter confidence.
– _Public Perception of Corruption_: Many believed the government was corrupt and out of touch with the people.
– _Leadership Style_: The leadership style was viewed as rigid and disconnected.
– _Regional Grievances_: The perceived neglect of infrastructure development in the Ashanti Region, traditionally an NPP stronghold, contributed to the party’s decline.
The NPP’s defeat has led to calls for introspection and reforms. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu emphasized the need for the party to listen to its supporters and make meaningful changes to regain their trust. The question of Dr. Bawumia’s political future remains uncertain, with his viability as a future flagbearer depending on broader feedback from other regions.
Story by: Ohemaa Adusi-Poku
