Frank Agyekum Cites Akufo-Addo's Leadership as a Contributing Factor to NPP's Expected Loss in 2024 Election

Frank Agyekum, the spokesperson for former President John Agyekum Kufuor, has suggested that President Akufo-Addo shares some responsibility for the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) defeat in the 2024 general elections. The NPP lost decisively to the National Democratic Congress (NDC), which secured over 1.6 million more votes than the ruling party.

In a candid interview on JoyNews’ AM Show, Mr. Agyekum outlined several factors that led to the NPP’s defeat, emphasizing public disenchantment with the party and the arrogance displayed by some of its members. He argued that these issues alienated many supporters, contributing to a significant loss in voter backing. Furthermore, Mr. Agyekum pointed to the imposition of unpopular candidates on constituencies as another crucial factor. According to him, these decisions were made during President Akufo-Addo’s leadership, which ultimately had a direct impact on the party’s performance at the polls.

“The signs were there, and the narrative shows that things have been falling apart for a long time. We failed to heed the warnings and take corrective actions, and that’s what has led us here,” Mr. Agyekum stated. He stressed that the failure to address these growing concerns and fix underlying issues earlier was a key factor in the party’s poor performance in the election.

Mr. Agyekum, who has been vocal about the party’s internal dynamics, reiterated that the responsibility for the outcome of an election always rests with the leader. He explained, “The leader always bears the ultimate responsibility—it stops with him. When it’s good, we credit him; when it’s bad, he must share the blame.” His comments underscore the belief that leadership plays a pivotal role in shaping the direction and success of the party.

He further critiqued the selection process for both the presidential and parliamentary candidates, calling the choices made by the NPP less than optimal. Mr. Agyekum noted that there was an overwhelming sense of arrogance within the leadership, and a growing hardship in the system that seemed to go unnoticed by those in power. This failure to acknowledge the dissatisfaction of the party’s grassroots members, according to Agyekum, contributed to the deepening disconnect between the leadership and the supporters, which ultimately led to the party’s significant loss.

Agyekum’s comments reflect the frustration felt by many NPP members who believe that the party’s leadership failed to effectively address the concerns of its base and failed to respond to warning signs in a timely manner. As a result, a combination of factors including arrogance, poor candidate selection, and an inability to understand the growing discontent among the electorate contributed to the heavy defeat at the polls.

The NPP’s defeat in the 2024 elections marks a significant moment in the party’s history, and Mr. Agyekum’s reflections highlight the internal issues that may have played a role in the party’s loss. His critique of President Akufo-Addo’s leadership underscores a deeper examination of the party’s internal dynamics and how they may have led to the unfortunate election outcome. Agyekum’s words suggest that for the NPP to recover and regain support, it will need to address these internal issues and reconnect with its base, ensuring that future leadership decisions reflect the concerns and aspirations of its supporters.