The former Central Regional Director of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) has attributed the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) recent election defeat to leadership shortcomings under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Joseph Donkor described the loss as a result of the party’s own mistakes and called for introspection among its members.
Speaking on Angel Morning Show (AMS) on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, the former NADMO boss criticized NPP Members of Parliament (MPs) and campaign leaders for their ineffective strategies. He lamented the tendency to rely on entertainment during campaigns, urging party executives to focus on engaging voters with substantive messages.
“Our MPs need to go back and do what is right. Playing music on campaign platforms is not enough to address the pressing concerns of voters,” he said.
Reflecting on the NPP’s eight years in government, he noted that the party had accomplished significant milestones, including improvements in road infrastructure and other critical sectors. He urged supporters to take pride in these achievements but also expressed concerns about their potential neglect if former President John Dramani Mahama were to return to power.
“The NPP government has done great work, including road construction and other development projects. However, my fear is that if Mahama comes back, some of these works may be abandoned. I hope instead that he will continue the good works initiated by the NPP,” he stated.
The former NADMO director acknowledged President Akufo-Addo’s contributions to national development but criticized his handling of the NPP as a party. He argued that Nana Addo’s lack of attention to the party’s internal issues and his failure to heed advice contributed to the election loss.
“People will remember Akufo-Addo for his good works, but they’ll also remember that the party suffered under his leadership. He didn’t manage the party well, and he often ignored advice,” he said.
He further stated, “As the father of the party, he should have taken control and provided better leadership. This situation happened because he failed to do so.”
Despite his criticisms, the former NADMO director urged NPP supporters to remain calm and united in the aftermath of the election loss. He emphasized the importance of learning from mistakes and working together to rebuild the party for future successes.
“We must calm down, reflect, and work towards fixing the issues within our party. The NPP has a bright future, but only if we address these challenges head-on,” he concluded.
This critique from a prominent former party figure underscores the need for the NPP to examine its internal dynamics and leadership approach to regain its footing in Ghana’s political landscape.
