It is often said that “Governments lose elections; oppositions don’t win them.” One cannot help but agree with this statement.
The 2024 election was a verdict on the eight years of governance dished out to the good people of Ghana by the Akufo-Addo-led administration.
By January 2022, the goodwill and hope Ghanaians had in Nana Addo had eroded, signalling the NPP’s eventual loss in the 2024 elections.
No government in the history of the 4th Republic had enjoyed the goodwill and blessings of Ghanaians as much as the Akufo-Addo administration did at the beginning of its tenure. Ghanaians initially believed in him, despite all the name-calling by the NDC.
Prominent pastors and men of God who criticized the Mahama administration when the dollar was 1:4 were strangely silent when it hit 1:17 under Nana Addo.
From election results, it seems the NPP hovered between 30-40% in parliamentary seats, with both parties locked in the Supreme Court over some 4-7 outstanding seats.
The NPP is now effectively the “MINI-rity,” as the NDC enjoys a supermajority, and incoming President Mahama assumes control over two arms of government.
Parliament can still form a quorum without the full presence of NPP MPs.
With these results, it is clear the elephant has fallen flat on its face, and a thorough postmortem is necessary.
Figuratively, the trunk and head of the elephant must be removed for the NPP to reposition itself for a possible comeback in 2028.
This means entirely new leadership is required, from the national to the constituency level. If the NPP fails to meet the expectations of Ghanaians as an organized opposition party, they risk staying in opposition for a long time.
The message is clear: one cannot continue doing the same things and expect different results—another definition of insanity.
Here are some reasons for the NPP’s abysmal performance in the December 7, 2024 polls. This comes from a patriotic perspective, as a member of the party with Ghana’s best interests at heart.
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1. Lack of Responsiveness to Public Concerns:
In high school science lessons, we learned that lack of stimuli is a characteristic of non-living things.
Under Nana Addo’s administration, Ghanaians experienced an irresponsive government that ignored feedback from citizens.
Even when decisions were unpopular, the administration stubbornly pushed forward.
Examples of ignored feedback include:
• Calls to cut down the size of government—ignored.
• Demands to remove Finance Minister Ofori-Atta—ignored for 14 excruciating months.
• Questions about the airport COVID-19 levy—no answers or accountability.
• Requests to stop renting expensive private jets amid economic hardship—ignored.
• Calls to reduce the number of presidential staffers—ignored.
• Recommendations to act on the galamsey report by the Prof. Frimpong Committee—ignored.
• Numerous corruption allegations—no proper conclusive investigations.
• Public outcry over the E-Levy—a minister arrogantly stated, “We will pass it.”
• Concerns about betting taxes—ignored.
• Appeals to stop the national cathedral project—ignored.
Even when pensioners protested against the “haircut” on their investments, including a former Chief Justice who picketed at the Finance Ministry, there was still no response. Such insensitivity is mind-boggling.
Ghanaians did not expect miracles amid global crises like the pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.
However, the administration’s poor leadership, inaction, and insensitivity angered the people. By December 7, many grassroots NPP members and the general public were ready to punish the party at the polls—and they did so decisively.
2. Kakistocracy Tendencies:
From the Greek word “kakistos” (worst) and “kratos” (rule), the Akufo-Addo administration exemplified kakistocracy—the rule of the worst. Despite the “we have the men” mantra, the government delivered the worst economic performance since the 1980s and earned the title of the worst government in the 4th Republic.
A good leader watches from the sidelines and makes adjustments when necessary. Yet, this government retained a non-performing Finance Minister, ignoring calls for his removal from MPs, citizens, and even former President Kufuor.
3. Arrogance and Disrespect:
If arrogance and disrespect were a person, it would be Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo.
These traits defined his eight years in power, particularly in his second term.
Unfortunately, these tendencies trickled down to his ministers, MPs, MMDCEs, and DCEs. “We will still pass it” even when the people are agitating.
One glaring example was a regional chairman flaunting stacks of gold on national TV while ordinary Ghanaians struggled to make ends meet.
Others visited churches, making large cash donations in front of cameras while their constituents lived in abject poverty.
MPs lost touch with their constituents, and party executives imposed parliamentary candidates on constituencies against delegates’ wishes.
Moneycracy won at the constituency during the primaries, and it backfired spectacularly at the national election.
4. Corruption and Nepotism:
This administration’s corruption scandals were too numerous to count: the sanitation minister’s foreign currency stash, the PDS deal, Kelni GVG, Agyapa, the national cathedral, and the Terminal 3 non-functional e-gate, to name a few.
Nepotism without accountability worsened the situation.
Family members and friends were appointed to key roles, but many were unqualified or unaccountable. Proper nepotism can deliver results—as seen in some Arab nations—but only when there’s strict accountability.
5. Economic Mismanagement and Galamsey:
President Mahama left office with Ghana’s economic outlook rated at B- in 2016. As of December 2024, ratings were Caa2 (Moody’s), RD (Fitch), and CCC+ (S&P). With a debt-to-GDP ratio of 83%, Ghana is in a dire economic state.
This is felt in every pocket, we are economically broke. The failure to tackle galamsey has left water bodies polluted, with the Ghana Water Company warning that some water bodies may soon be untreatable for human consumption.
It is widely reported that the very people to fight the galamsey are themselve involved in the act. chiefs, ministers, presidential staffers, DCEs, pastors, chinese people etc. where do we go from here?
I have deliberately not mentioned Dr Bawumia’s name so far because, he had to deal with a cabal of greedy people who will do everything to enrich themselves at the expense of the people.
I knew from day one that he will have a very difficult campaign to deliver. Because a vote for him will mean Ghanaians in principle support the recklessness and the negligence of the Akuffo Addo administration.
December 2024 election had very little to do with Dr Bawumia as a flag bearer, it was all to do with Nana Addo. Unfortunately the man who made him who he is today managed to unmake his future aspirations in a spectacular manner.
Even if Nana Addo had performed tremendously well, Dr Bawumia was left to fight the 8 year cycle convention, hence his mantra. “It is possible”. Either way it wasn’t going to be an easy campaign.
Nana Addo executed his failure smoothly.
In conclusion, the NPP’s loss was less about Dr. Bawumia’s candidacy and more about Nana Addo’s administration.
His leadership alienated the very people who entrusted him with power. The party must learn from this defeat or face a prolonged stay in opposition.
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