Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has called on members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to undertake deep self-reflection and unity-building as the party grapples with the consequences of its loss in the 2024 general elections.
Addressing members at the launch of the party’s newly established Patriotic Institute, Kufuor offered a candid and at times somber assessment of the NPP‘s current situation, urging a return to its founding principles and a renewed focus on human-centered governance.
The former president lamented what he described as the party’s diminishing alignment with its core philosophy — one rooted in the value of human dignity, liberty, and inclusive progress.
“But I do not want us to delude ourselves. We must ask, how can a party with a philosophy and vision for humanity — that’s our main strength, humanity, of our tradition — how can we have been reduced to the current situation?”
Former President John Agyekum Kufuor
He questioned how the NPP, which once championed values such as freedom, equality, and development, could find itself weakened and disconnected from the electorate.
“This thing didn’t happen just like that. If we take care to look at the electoral history from 2016, 2020, and 2024, and if we are sincere with ourselves, we’ll know that the electorate of Ghana has matured. Nobody can deceive it.”
Former President John Agyekum Kufuor
Kufuor made it clear that, in his view, the Ghanaian electorate had not turned its back on the core ideals of the party.
He suggested that voters still believe in the party’s traditional value systems, which uphold human rights and inclusive economic growth that benefits the broader population.
He further argued that the desire for equal opportunity remains strong across the nation, as Ghanaians continue to support improved access to quality education for all children—from kindergarten through to the university level.
According to the former President, Ghanaians also expect a governance system that delivers fairly and effectively. “Ghana would support this.”
He also cautioned against the rise of authoritarian practices, stressing that Ghanaians do not support any system that allows indefinite detention without trial.
Party Unity, Key To Revival
Looking back at the NPP’s electoral journey, former President John A. Kufuor highlighted the stark difference between the party’s overwhelming success in 2016 and its declining performance in the 2020 and 2024 elections.
“In 2016, the nation very liberally gave us, the NPP, power, huge majorities. But just four years later, let’s be critical of ourselves. What was the outcome of the 2020 election? And then, just another four years, what was the outcome of the 2024 election?”
Former President John Agyekum Kufuor
Accordingly, he encouraged party members to confront the internal challenges that led to their electoral loss, stressing the need for honest and courageous self-reflection as a foundation for future political recovery and unity.
Kufuor emphasized that engaging in such deep and constructive introspection could realistically pave the way for a strong political comeback, possibly as early as the 2028 general elections.
He also revisited the philosophical basis of democratic governance, which he believes is firmly grounded in a universal respect for human dignity, the rule of law, and the principle of accountability.
Kufuor stressed the importance of mandates and electoral responsibility. “When the people give you their mandates, by voting, they give the elected their power to go and govern.”
NPP Urged to Rebuild With Humility
The former President further called on NPP members to set aside personal pride and entitlement in order to foster reconciliation within the party.
He cautioned that when individuals prioritize their own ambitions over collective progress, it undermines unity—an essential pillar of any functioning political party.
Without this sense of togetherness, he argued, the spirit of democracy, built on equal participation and shared purpose, cannot thrive.
“Please, it’s a very sad situation we are in now. This disease of high individuality was what led to our losing 79 elections. We must tell the truth to ourselves. We lost 79 when you count the ballots.”
Former President John Agyekum Kufuor
Kufuor ended his remarks with a pointed criticism of the party’s intellectual framework. He expressed concern that the NPP lacks a credible, central think tank capable of offering honest and critical assessments.
According to him, such an institution should operate with enough independence and integrity to confront the party with uncomfortable but necessary truths.
He acknowledged that such truths “might not be palatable,” but emphasized that “it’s only when you know it, you can begin to solve the problem.”
As the NPP charts its path forward, Kufuor’s message stands as a call for renewal — rooted in humility, truth, and a firm belief in the power of democratic accountability.
The future, he implied, is still open — but only if the party chooses to confront its past with honesty and a vision for inclusive progress.
READ ALSO: Davido Gifts Personal Assistant Lati Range Rover as Birthday Gift
