Palgrave Boakye-Danquah Criticises Bawumia's Approach to NPP's 2024 Defeat

Dr. Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, a former Government Spokesperson on Governance and Security under the Akufo-Addo administration, has expressed strong disapproval of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s handling of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) defeat in the 2024 general elections. Dr. Bawumia, who was the NPP’s presidential candidate, attributed the party’s loss to factors such as arrogance of power, the high cost of living, the failure to reshuffle government officials, the controversial Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy), and the unpopular “haircut” policy under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) debt restructuring programme. He suggested that these issues left many Ghanaians struggling under severe economic pressure.

However, Dr. Boakye-Danquah has challenged this narrative, describing Dr. Bawumia’s attempt to absolve himself of blame as “opportunistic.” He pointed out that as Vice President, Dr. Bawumia had the platform to voice dissent or influence policy but chose not to, only to later claim opposition when it suited his political ambitions.

Dr. Boakye-Danquah also criticised Dr. Bawumia’s selective distancing from the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP), which caused widespread financial hardship and sparked protests by pensioners. He accused Dr. Bawumia of failing to publicly address the DDEP’s impact, while now implying he was not fully responsible, stating that such actions “reeks of opportunism and undermines the administration’s collective accountability.”

Furthermore, Dr. Boakye-Danquah condemned Dr. Bawumia’s attempt to shift blame for economic hardships, such as the crippling cost-of-living crisis and soaring petrol prices, onto President Akufo-Addo’s leadership, describing it as “particularly disloyal.”

In response to the electoral defeat, Dr. Boakye-Danquah has urged NPP members to remain hopeful and loyal to the party’s ideals. He encouraged members to stay true to the party’s principles and ideologies as it transitions into opposition for the next four years. In a social media post, he called for tolerance toward new members who may join the party and acceptance of those who may decide to leave. He emphasized the need to “restrategize, rebuild, and regroup,” asserting that with faith and loyalty, the NPP can overcome its challenges.

Dr. Boakye-Danquah’s comments reflect a growing debate within the NPP regarding the best path forward after the electoral setback. While Dr. Bawumia advocates for unity and forward-looking strategies, others, like Dr. Boakye-Danquah, stress the importance of confronting uncomfortable truths and taking responsibility for the defeat. This divergence highlights differing perspectives on leadership and accountability within the party.

As the NPP prepares for future elections, the party faces the challenge of balancing unity with honest self-assessment. Leaders and members alike must engage in open dialogue to ensure that the lessons from the 2024 defeat are fully understood and addressed, paving the way for a more resilient and effective NPP in the years to come.