The bad leadership of the erstwhile New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has caused a major setback for the opposition party, the leader of the Union Government, Akwasi Addae Odike, has opined.
He stated that Akufo-Addo’s autocratic leadership style, particularly his refusal to listen to suggestions and advice, contributed significantly to the NPP’s defeat in the 2024 elections.
Odike described the situation not only as worrying for the opposition party but also as “a great disservice” to its efforts at reforming and bouncing back strongly.
Speaking on the Angel Morning Show, the Union Government leader cited some of the fallouts from the former president, including how he managed national issues, which, according to Odike, had put the NPP in a very tight corner.
“Look, if you take a look at how Akufo-Addo was fighting galamsey, he was at the same time embodying Chairman Wontumi and others. Recall that the Minerals Commission said at a point that Chairman Wontumi was mining in the forest without a license, but Akufo-Addo, right from that point, in front of a church congregation at Koforidua, stated that it was untrue that Wontumi was engaged in illegal mining activities,” he said Monday, April 28, 2025.
He continued, “That family-and-friends governance Akufo-Addo constituted silenced all party leadership from speaking. How can a whole political party in power remain silent while its President mismanaged things the way he wanted?
“I overheard an instance where the party’s General Secretary approached Akufo-Addo, saying that people were demanding a reshuffle, but he boldly told him to do the reshuffle himself. He talked anyhow to people without considering the repercussions,” Odike added.
He emphasized, “What I can say is that Akufo-Addo has done a great disservice to the NPP. If you want to point to whoever has caused the NPP’s downfall, it is Akufo-Addo.”
Odike, however, urged the NPP to conduct a proper introspection as they seek to seriously restructure the party, warning them to avoid self-seeking individuals because unity is instrumental to their reforms.
