The Deputy Director of IT and Election for the National Democratic Congress, Rashid Tanko Computer has argued that the New Patriotic Party is facing an internal crisis that could delay its political recovery after the 2024 general election. He suggested that persistent factional divisions and unresolved disagreements have continued to dominate discussions within the party following its electoral defeat.
Mr Tanko stated that the developments are largely self-inflicted and indicates that party members are still searching for answers after securing 38.2 percent of the presidential vote. According to the Deputy Director, the outcome exposes deep rooted issues that require honest assessment before the party can rebuild.
Discussing the internal atmosphere, he asserted that different factions within the NPP has intensified accusations against one another since the election. From his perspective, these disagreements have gradually become more visible because competing groups are seeking greater influence over the party’s future direction.
Furthermore, Mr Tanko referred to the emergence of competing interests involving longstanding party members and supporters of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo. He remarked that some political observers have even coined new descriptions of the party because of perceptions surrounding its present leadership.
“The NPP is going through turmoil. It is a self-inflicted crisis and it will take them time to recover because they still do not understand why they obtained 38.2 percent in the last general election.”
Rashid Tanko Computer
Additionally, the Deputy Director argued that the sequence of the party’s internal elections contributed to its electoral outcome. He contended that organising the presidential primary ahead of constituency elections influenced the eventual campaign and weakened support within parts of the party.
According to Mr Tanko, delegates who elected Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as presidential candidate were different from those who later determined constituency leadership positions. He claimed that many individuals associated with that earlier electoral process subsequently lost their own internal contests.
Meanwhile, he pointed to the renewed political activities of Paul Awentami Afoko following his declaration to contest for the National Chairman position. The Deputy Director suggested that Mr Afoko’s growing visibility has generated conversations within sections of the NPP.
Referencing the allegations that Mr Afoko has become a target of internal political attacks, he alleged that attempts to discredit the National Chairman hopeful are signs of continuing divisions instead of healthy democratic competition.
Internal Divisions Fuel Claims Over Political Infiltration
Rashid Tanko Computer also dismissed claims that the National Democratic Congress has planted members within the New Patriotic Party to influence its internal affairs. He argued that the accusations stem from divisions within the opposition party instead of any organised strategy by the governing party.
Addressing questions about allegations of labelling any opposing view as part of the NDC, Mr Tanko rejected suggestions that the NDC has any interest in infiltrating its political rival. According to the Deputy Director, the governing party remains focused on its own administration and has no reason to interfere in the NPP’s internal processes.
Furthermore, he insisted that disagreements within the opposition have developed from long standing tensions among party members. From his perspective, these disagreements have encouraged a culture in which dissenting voices are frequently labelled as belonging to rival political parties.
“Why should the NDC plant people in the NPP? We have no reason to do that because we are focused on our own work and our own responsibilities.”
Rashid Tanko Computer
Discussing the performance of the current administration, Mr Tanko argued that the NDC is concentrating on governance under President John Dramani Mahama. He stated that the government’s attention remains on delivering policies and programmes that respond to the expectations of Ghanaians.
Moreover, the Deputy Director suggested that the governing party would gain little from becoming involved in the internal affairs of the opposition. He indicated that healthy democratic competition requires every political organisation to resolve its own challenges through established structures.
According to Mr Tanko, the NPP’s internal disagreements have become more visible because party members continue to question one another’s loyalty. He asserted that such developments create unnecessary mistrust and weaken efforts aimed at rebuilding the party after the general election.
“We do not want Ghana to become a one party state. Every democracy needs a strong opposition, so there is no reason for the NDC to undermine another political party.”
Rashid Tanko Computer
Additionally, he praised the performance of President John Dramani Mahama, arguing that public satisfaction with the administration’s work leaves little incentive for the governing party to interfere in the affairs of its political opponents. He added that governance, not political infiltration, remains the NDC’s priority.
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