Kufuor Reveals Why NPP Boycotted Parliament After the 1992 Election
Kufour explains the NPP's dissatisfaction with the 1992 elections and its impact on parliamentary participation
- NPP believed they won the 1992 election but were dissatisfied with the Electoral Commission's declaration of Rawlings as winner
- The presidential and parliamentary elections were not held on the same day
- Kufuor emphasizes the party’s continued fight in 1996 and 2000
Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has shed light on the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) decision to boycott the 1992 Parliament.
Speaking to selected journalists on November 17 2024, he revealed that the NPP, led by the late Prof. Albert Adu Boahen, campaigned vigorously in the 1992 elections, aiming to unseat the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and its leader, Jerry John Rawlings.
According to him, the NPP toured the entire country and felt confident of a public demand for change.
However, he said, when Justice Josiah Ofori Boateng, then Chairman of the Electoral Commission, declared Rawlings the winner, the NPP questioned the integrity of the process.
“The Electoral Commission boss at the time was single-handedly appointed by J.J. Rawlings, which raised concerns about impartiality. This led us to boycott Parliament from 1992 to 1996,” Kufuor explained.
Despite the setback, Kufuor said the NPP returned to the polls in 1996, where he personally contested Rawlings for the presidency.
“We campaigned in every area, and the response was positive. Although Rawlings was declared the winner after five days. NPP secured 60 out of 200 parliamentary seats,” he recounted.
He noted that the party’s resilience continued into the 2000 elections, where their hard work eventually paid off. “In 2000, tensions were high, but Ghanaians rejected military rule and chose democracy.”
Kufuor also highlighted his efforts to promote political inclusivity during his presidency by appointing members of opposition parties, such as the CPP’s Victor Emmanuel Smith, Boniface Gambila, and Freddie Blay, to key positions in his administration.
Reflecting on his legacy, Kufuor emphasized his commitment to avoiding coups and ensuring a stable constitutional democracy.
“Unlike my predecessors, Nkrumah, Busia, and Limann who faced coups, my goal was to complete my term and safeguard democracy in Ghana,” he stated.
