NPP’s Ashanti Region Post-Mortem: Investigative Committee Reveals Why Party Lost 2024 Election
A deep dive into voter grievances, leadership missteps, and the economic struggles that cost the NPP in its stronghold.
- Voters felt sidelined by the party’s internal leadership selection process
- Rising cost of living and unemployment turned many supporters away
- Perceptions of nepotism, mismanagement, and Ashanti Region being overlooked fueled resentment
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ashanti Region has concluded an internal investigation into its unexpected defeat in the 2024 elections, shedding light on key factors that influenced voter decisions.
Former Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu revealed in an interview on Lawson TV/Radio Ghana’s Ghana Se Sen Morning Show that the investigative committee spent a month analyzing the loss.
According to him, the electorate, beyond just NPP supporters expressed strong concerns about the party’s internal selection process, governance style, and economic challenges.
“One major complaint was the party’s delegate system of electing leaders. Card bearing members felt sidelined, arguing that delegates shouldn’t have more influence than the general party base,” Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu stated.
He also cited economic hardship as a major factor. “Many people voted against us because of the prevailing economic struggles,” he admitted.
Another recurring concern was corruption perceptions. “Everywhere we went, people were talking about corruption. It was a perception, but the party failed to effectively address and dispel it,” he said.
Leadership and Communication Issues
The electorate also criticized former President Akufo-Addo’s leadership style, particularly the perception that his government was dominated by family members. “The party didn’t explain this well, and the perception kept haunting us,” Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu acknowledged.
He stated that, some voters felt the Ashanti Region was neglected under Akufo-Addo’s leadership, “and Issues such as illegal mining (galamsey) and its impact on local communities also played a role in voter dissatisfaction.”
Regarding the party’s Vice Presidential candidate, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu revealed that, “The electorate said he had the potential to attract the youth vote, but his communication style became a liability. ‘The problem wasn’t just him—many in our leadership struggled with effective communication,’ he noted.”
Unfulfilled Promises and Internal Wranglings
He said the committee’s findings also highlighted frustrations among youth and trainee professionals. “Beneficiaries of Free SHS, nursing training allowances, and teacher trainee support were disappointed by delays in job placements, turning them against the NPP.”
“If the Agenda 111 hospital project had been completed earlier, it could have provided jobs for nurses. But delays made the government an enemy in their eyes,” he explained.
“Internal party conflicts also contributed to the defeat. Some constituency executives felt abandoned after their efforts in 2016 and retaliated by withholding support in 2020 and 2024. They expected the party to learn from 2020, but when nothing changed, they made sure to show us the exit,” Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu admitted.
Despite the challenges, he remains hopeful. “The people have assured us—if the party changes its ways, we can win back their trust,” he concluded.
