Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the 2024 New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate, has identified multiple factors behind the party’s electoral loss, including economic pressures, policy controversies, and internal governance failures.
Speaking at the Takoradi Technical University auditorium during his nationwide Thank You Tour, Dr Bawumia dismissed claims that religious bias alone cost the election, emphasising broader structural challenges.
He noted that these challenges placed significant strain on Ghanaians, especially within the context of the IMF’s debt restructuring programme.
MUST READ: Galamsey: 13 excavators seized as Chinese nationals among arrested illegal miners
Responding to suggestions that his religious background was the main cause of the NPP’s defeat, Dr Bawumia clarified that internal party divisions and the large number of unfinished projects also played major roles.
When you study all the reports we have so far, certain factors were highlighted. These include the high cost of living; the prices of goods and services went up and left many Ghanaians struggling. Another factor that was highlighted is the arrogance of power; we were not willing to listen.
The party members told us to conduct a reshuffle, but after eight years we didn’t listen. The party members told us they didn’t want E-levy, but we implemented it. Again, the party members told us that the DDEP was going to be a major challenge, but we went ahead to implement it.
READ ALSO: Hayet Rida’s husband: Why Ghanaians are curious about her personal life
Things were bad, and we were not able to pay NABCO; those employed under youth and afforestation, caterers and others were also not being paid
Dr Bawumia also pointed out that the party’s poor performance in key regions was due to inadequate campaign efforts.
Even in the regions that give us some votes, we didn’t put in a lot of work there. Western Region is an example
He further emphasised that internal disunity significantly weakened the NPP’s campaign, providing an opportunity for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to take advantage of their missteps.
READ MORE: Pope Francis passes away with just $100: A lifetime of humility, no assets
So, going into the 2024 general election, the NPP as a party were not fully united. The opposition at the time, the NDC, even though they didn’t have a campaign message, were playing back our language against each other back to us. That is why it is important that as we go about with our campaign, you don’t bring down your opponent so that you can win
The way forward
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) must undertake significant reforms to rebuild public trust and position itself for future electoral success.
READ FURTHER: NE/R: Court remands man over GHC300K MoMo robbery; gang members on the run
First and foremost, the party needs to urgently address the economic grievances that contributed to its 2024 defeat by implementing policies that stabilize living costs and alleviate the financial burden on ordinary Ghanaians.
This includes reviewing unpopular tax measures like the E-Levy and ensuring timely payments to beneficiaries of government programs.
Internally, the NPP must institutionalise regular reshuffles of government appointees to prevent perceptions of stagnation and arrogance of power while strengthening grassroots engagement to make party structures more responsive to members’ concerns.
