Feature: NPP: De-Re-Branded?

“All men make mistakes, but it is only fools who persist in them” – Marcus Tullius Cicero

Reading is our hobby; studying Classics is an instinctive pastime; we perused what Quintus Tullius Cicero wrote: “How to Win an Election: An Ancient Guide for Modern Politicians.” It was a campaign manual meant to guide his brother Cicero when he ran for a Roman consul, around 65 BC. He charged: repay past debts; promise everything to everyone; exploit opponent’s weaknesses; flatter voters; maintain visible presence; inspire hope; leverage oratorical skills; watch your security.”

In Homer’s Iliad (Book 6, lines 208 and 245) Glaucus recalls his father, Hippolochus’s parting advice on sending him to war in Troy: “always excel; surpass others; don’t disgrace the generation of your ancestors.” All these were at play at Kumasi last weekend at the NPP delegates conference. Kumasi was chosen by the New Patriotic Party (NPP**)** as the venue for the 2026 Delegates’ Conference (Saturday, 3rd October). From all the sixteen (16) regions the delegates came — and the radio and TV personnel. We hosted one of the press-men. Baba Yara Sports Stadium was agog right from 8.00 am. Elections were expected to be done around 9am–10am; Mahamudu Bawumia arrived at the Stadium at approximately 2:00 pm. Our friend, Obiri Yeboah, a founding father, was too tired to stand in the sun.

6:00 pm voting began. Four contestants for Chairman: Boakye Agyarko, John Boadu, Paul Afoko, and Sammy Crabbe. Each contestant had his strengths and his weaknesses. Boakye Agyarko was Energy Minister at the beginning (2017) of Akufo Addo’s administration till August 2018. He had links with the business community and had remained bright, being a “no body’s man”, sometimes seen as “adamant”. John Boadu had seen it all in the party; National Organiser, General Secretary till he was eclipsed by Justin Frimpong Kodua in July 2022. John Boadu’s baggage was huge. The discredited Agyapadie Book (p.22) was not charitable to him: “…his performance has been short of all past General Secretaries; … His blatant involvement in galamsey in the Wassa forest, could be an embarrassing state of affairs, his alcohol addiction and his weakness regarding women makes him hugely vulnerable …”.

Paul Afoko had been everybody’s man who had defied all odds to beat Stephen Ntim and the incumbent Jake Obetsebi-Lamptey in the 2014 contest. His knowledge of the grassroots was favourable, but his “northern connection” (with Bawumia, the flagbearer a northerner) was damaging. Sammy Crabbe, a former Vice-Chairman, was very articulate about the need for reforms in the NPP. To him, the 2024 electoral defeat exposed systemic weaknesses and he if electe would smoothen things.

The thirteen (13) contestants for the Vice Chairmanship position were Mustapha Abdul Hamid, Kojo Fosu-Boadu, George Kwabena Abankwah Yeboah, Richard Ahiagbah, Alhaji Masawudu Osman, Richard Oti Aboagye, Abena Pokua Boaitey Amoah, Yaa Amponsah Frimpong, Henry Nana Boakye (Nana B), Horma Akesieh Mieza, Samuel Pyne (Sam Pyne), Nana Akomea, Bright Essilfie Kumi.

The General Secretary position was contested by four candidates: incumbent Justin Frimpong Kodua, Eugene Antwi, Charles Dwamena and Silvester Tetteh.

The four (4) contestants for the National Treasurer position were: Hajia Rukia Ahmed, Alfred Kojo Thompson, Tahiru Issahaku Moomin and Collins Ntim Nkrumah. For the position of National Organiser, there were six (6) contestants: Kwame Prempeh, Daniel Agyenim Boateng, Archibald Gamor Koletey, Nana Kwadwo Agyei Yeboah, Ali Maiga Halidu, Emmanuel Kwasi Boadu, Daniel Nii Kwartey Titus Glover. Six (6) contestants for the National Youth Organiser position were: Alfred Kumi Ababio, Vera Oye Bram-Larbi, Michael Osei Boateng, Abanga Fuseini Yakubu, Clement Opoku Gyamfi, Chris Lloyd Nii Kwesi Asamoah. For the National Women’s Organiser, we had two (2) contestants: Hajia Safia Mohammed and Hawa Koomson**.** The National Nasara Organiser saw four (4) contestants: Mohammed Ali Suraj, Issaka Muazo Kunata, Awal Mohammed, Alhaji Ali Bamba, Razak Tahiru Maiga. There was only one person vying for the National Communication officer position, Dennis Miracles Aboagye — who won it unopposed.

In all, there was a total of forty-six (46) candidates for the available positions. When the voting was cast the following personalities won: John Boadu, National Chairman (beating Boakye Agyarko by 2888 to 2408). Justin Frimpong Kodua emerged as General Secretary with 4468 votes. Kojo Fosu Boadu was elected First Vice Chairman, Henry Nana Boakye (a.k.a. Nana B) became Second Vice Chairman and Nana Akomea got the Third Vice position.

Nii Kwartey Titus-Glover was elected National Organiser, with Hawa Koomson emerging as National Women’s Organiser. Abanga Fuseini got elected as National Youth Organiser while Alfred Kojo Thompson took the position of National Treasurer. For the Nasara Coordinator, it was Alhaji Mohammed Ali Suraj.

The newly elected executives were sworn into office, save two: Henry Nana Boakye (Nana B) and Nana Akomea. Rumours of Henry Nana Akomea and Nana Boakye negotiating for a swap of positions with Kojo Fosu Boadu were denied by Nana Akomea and Nana Boakye despite Kojo Fosu Boadu’s assertion to the voters: “To aba no ma akrakyefoɔ mmienu na to ma me Kojo Bamba” (Vote for the two elites and vote for me, Kojo Bamba). This suggests that the Delta Force leader (uncharitably called ex-convict) was ready to see Nana Akomea and Nana B take the lead, and he, Bamba, following them “to protect them and their ballots.”

John Boadu’s acceptance speech was electrifying: “To those who supported us, we thank you for your support and confidence; to those who contested with us, I extend my hand of friendship and partnership. Your ideas, experience, networks and commitment belong to the New Patriotic Party. There must be no winners and losers… victory is assured in the year 2028.” Bawumia would say: “What a winning team!” But others think otherwise. Some are saying: “It was a sad event for NPP… a vote for John Boadu instead of Boakye Agyarko…” Is that a new move by those who touted Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition. Where are Dr. Frimpong Boateng and Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe?

Dr. Aryeh says 2028 will see a “comparison of records”, and NPP will face a nation ready to ask questions on the GHC100 billion spent on the National Cathedral; the E-Levy/Betting taxes; the Domestic Exchange Programme which saw the death of the proprietor of Kama Pharmaceuticals; the collapse of banks… all done while Dr. Bawumia was Vice-President (pleading: “momfa steer no ma me — give me the steering wheel”).

And Hawa Koomson would say: “one woman, one pepper-spray”. Preparing for battle? To face NDC boot-for-boot; measure-for-measure? Exodus 21:23-27. “But if there is harm then you shall take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe”. This concept of ‘jus talionis’ — part of the Mosaic law used in the Israelites’ justice system of ancient times — to be applied in Ghana, of all places?

Mahatma Gandhi said: “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind” — revenge for revenge only creates an endless cycle of harm which leaves everyone hurt, and unable to see a peaceful solution to a problem. Gandhi called for “satyagraha” (from Sanskrit: truth-force, that is, insistence on truth; non-violent resistance “ahimsa”). Rwanda on our minds!

NPP Members behaving like ostriches. Any objective critic is labelled as one talking out of pain or jealousy particularly those kicked out of the party. The leadership will not accept criticism. Solomon Owusu, UP’s Director of Communication reminds us, ‘Ghanaians don’t like patapaafoo (radicals)…’ So how is Bamba going to protect the ballot?

The ‘rough times’ ahead reared its head, when the Acting NPP Chairman, Butey ruled that it was late to decide on amending the Constitution… particularly to de-re-make the presidential aspirant subordinate to the Chairman… There was a grumble, and the ‘ayes’, ‘had it’, so, why should the Ag Chairman say he would sue the NPP if the various amendments made during the delegates conference were added to the Constitution?

Arthur Kennedy, author of ‘Chasing the Elephant into the Bush’ talks of “arrogance and misgovernance of Akufo-Addo’s government… the record is bad… Krofrom market undone; Effia Hospital abandoned; Agenda 111 jettisoned, National Cathedral with stone imported from Israel, all totalling GHC100 billion… All members should take part in the election of leaders, including the flagbearer… and Appiah Danquah of United Party would say: “Nana Akufo-Addo altered the character of the NPP.”

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