New Patriotic Party (NPP) 2024 flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has pointed to multiple reasons behind the party’s loss in the 2024 general elections.
He cited issues such as the arrogance of leadership, surging living expenses, refusal to reshuffle appointees, the unpopular E-Levy, and the divisive haircut policy.
Speaking at Takoradi Technical University’s auditorium during the launch of his nationwide Thank You Tour, Dr. Bawumia explained that these problems left a significant number of citizens grappling with hardships, especially during the IMF’s debt restructuring programme.
Responding to suggestions that pinned the party’s defeat solely on his religious background, Dr. Bawumia noted that internal fractures and a backlog of unfinished projects were also major factors behind the NPP’s poor performance.
“When you study all the reports we have so far, certain factors were highlighted. These include the high cost of living; the prices of goods and services went up and left many Ghanaians struggling. Another factor that was highlighted is the arrogance of power, we were not willing to listen.
“The party members told us to conduct a reshuffle, but after eight years we didn’t listen. The party members told us they didn’t want E-levy, but we implemented it. Again, the party members told us that the DDEP was going to be a major challenge but we went ahead to implement it.
“Things were bad, and we were not able to pay NABCO, those employed under youth and afforestation, caterers and others were also not being paid,” he explained.
Highlighting another setback, Dr. Bawumia criticized the party’s inadequate mobilization in critical areas, remarking, “Even in the regions that give us some vote, we didn’t put in a lot of work there. Western Region is an example.”
He emphasized that internal fragmentation further weakened the NPP’s electoral strength, enabling the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to capitalize on their missteps.
“So, going into the 2024 general election, the NPP as a party was not fully united. The opposition at the time, the NDC, even though didn’t have a campaign message, was playing back our language against each other back to us. That is why it is important that as we go about with our campaign, you don’t bring down your opponent so that you can win,” he stated.
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