The New Patriotic Party (NPP) must undertake comprehensive reforms following its historic defeat in the 2024 general elections, according to Dr. Razak Kojo Opoku, Founding President of the UP Tradition Institute.
With official results from 275 out of 276 constituencies declared, NDC’s John Dramani Mahama secured a significant lead over NPP’s Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia by 1,714,179 votes. Mahama polled 6,591,179 votes (56.42%), while Bawumia garnered 4,877,611 votes (41.75%). With Ablekuma North’s 121,269 votes yet to be added, projections indicate Mahama’s final percentage could reach 57%, while Bawumia’s could drop to 38-40%. This would mark the worst electoral performance for an incumbent government since Ghana’s return to democracy in 1992.
Dr. Opoku compared this defeat to previous elections, noting that in 2000, the ruling NDC’s candidate, Prof. John Evans Atta Mills, lost by 881,139 votes. In 2008, NPP’s Nana Akufo-Addo lost the runoff by just 40,586 votes. In 2016, the incumbent John Mahama and the NDC lost by 984,570 votes. The scale of NPP’s 2024 loss underscores the urgent need for reforms.
Proposed Reforms for the NPP
Dr. Opoku outlined three key areas for restructuring the party ahead of 2028:
1. Scrapping the Special Delegates Conference
He described the conference as a breeding ground for corruption, bribery, intimidation, and cronyism. Instead of fostering democracy, he argued, it has damaged NPP’s political branding. He recommended a stricter vetting process to ensure only viable candidates contest the flagbearer position.
2. Expanding the NPP Electoral College
To promote inclusivity and reduce voter apathy, Dr. Opoku proposed extending voting rights in the flagbearer election to:
- Former Members of Parliament in good standing
- Former government appointees, including Ministers, CEOs, MMDCEs, and Ambassadors, who are still loyal to the party
- Former party executives at all levels (polling station, constituency, regional, national, and external)
However, he cautioned against adopting the NDC’s post-2016 approach of allowing all card-bearing members to vote, arguing that such a move would compromise the integrity of the delegates’ album.
3. Restructuring the National Campaign Team
Dr. Opoku criticized the 2024 campaign for its lack of cohesion, arguing that it failed to align with both the NPP headquarters and President Akufo-Addo’s government. He pointed to the successful campaigns of 2000, 2008, and 2016 as models for a more unified strategy in 2028.
With the NPP at a political crossroads, he stressed that these reforms are necessary to reposition the party for victory in the next general election.
