“We Have to Be Humble Enough and Say Sorry to the Ashanti People” – Ekow Vincent Assafuah
MP Calls for Reflection, Grassroots Engagement, and Reconnection with Supporters
- Assafuah urges the NPP to apologize to Ashanti Region supporters for unmet expectations and voter apathy
- He calls for deeper grassroots engagement, listening to concerns, and providing reassurances
- Assafuah highlights the region’s role as the backbone of the NPP and stresses the need for increased development projects
The incumbent Member of Parliament for Tafo-Pankrono, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has called for sober reflection and deeper engagement with constituents following the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) loss in the December 7 elections.
Speaking in an interview, he admitted that the party had failed to meet the expectations of its supporters, leading to significant losses, including in several strongholds.
“Clearly, our people were not happy. We need to go back to our grassroots quickly, engage with them, and, first and foremost, apologize to them. Second, we must explain the situation to them, and third, we need to listen to their concerns and work on resolving the issues,” he stated.
He argued that the NDC did not necessarily win the election, but rather, the NPP lost it.
“Comparing the votes I got to what my colleagues in the Ashanti Region received, it’s evident that the issue was one of apathy—nothing more, nothing less.”
Vincent Ekow Assafuah dismissed claims that the low turnout in the Ashanti Region caused the NPP’s defeat.
“Nobody should blame the Ashanti Region. The region has always been resolute in its support for the NPP. If an NPP supporter in Ashanti doesn’t vote, it doesn’t mean they’ll vote for the NDC.”
He emphasized that dissatisfaction among supporters was the main reason for their decision not to vote.
“The truth is that our people were unhappy. I conducted personal research in Tafo, and if it weren’t for my deep connection with the people there—having been born and bred in the area—they wouldn’t have voted for me.”
He admitted that the NPP faces a national problem, which is particularly significant in the Ashanti Region.
“Clearly, the NPP has a national problem, and the Ashanti Region plays a major role in that. If you listen to the base, they believe that the Ashanti Region is the backbone of the party, providing the massive votes needed for the NPP to win power. You cannot underestimate the importance of the region, nor can you deny them significant developmental projects.”
He urged the NPP leadership to reflect deeply, engage with their supporters humbly, and apologize to them.
“We need to let our people know that what happened will never happen again,” he added.
The Old Tafo MP concluded by saying that if NPP supporters remain engaged and decide to vote, there is no way the NDC can win elections in Ghana.
