“How Did Our Party Get Reduced to This Situation?” — Kufuor Laments NPP’s Current State
Former President urges the party to reject tribal and religious divisions and prioritize competence ahead of the 2028 flagbearer race.
- Kufuor urges NPP to prioritize competence over tribal and religious loyalties
- He warns identity politics weakens the party and fuels negative stereotypes
- Calls for unity and merit-based leadership ahead of the 2028 flagbearer election
Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has voiced deep concern over the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) current state, urging party members to put competence above identity politics as they gear up for the 2028 flagbearer election.
At the launch of the party’s new policy think tank, the Patriotic Institute, on Wednesday, 25 June, Kufuor warned against letting tribal or religious loyalties dictate leadership choices.
His call for unity and meritocracy comes amid early candidate jockeying and reports of personal attacks following the party’s announcement to select its next presidential candidate on 31 January 2026.
“We are a democratic party and we uphold common humanity,” Kufuor emphasized. “In a democracy, we don’t choose leaders by tribe, religion, or gender, but by the individual’s ability.”
Highlighting the importance of appealing to the broader Ghanaian electorate, Kufuor urged the party to present a candidate who can effectively address national challenges. “One man, one vote. If we want power, we must offer a candidate who convinces the general populace and solves community problems so benefits spread evenly.”
He warned that succumbing to identity-based divisions only fuels negative stereotypes. “If we ourselves speak tribalism or religion, we only deepen the labels opponents attach to us.”
Kufuor’s rallying cry is clear: the NPP must unite around merit and vision, not deepen internal divisions. “We should be finding the way out of the hole, not digging it deeper.”
