As the New Patriotic Party (NPP) grapples with its recent electoral defeat, a key challenge facing the party has emerged; its members feel increasingly unheard.
Lawyer Bobby Banson has highlighted the crucial need for the party’s leadership to pay attention to this sentiment, warning that failure to do so could further alienate their base and damage the party’s future prospects.
Banson pointed out that the NPP, as a political entity, has both the experience and expertise to navigate these challenges effectively.
He compared the situation to that of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), which, during its time in opposition, withheld key reports from public view.
According to him, this practice is not uncommon in Ghanaian politics, where sensitive internal reports are often kept behind closed doors. However, the failure of the NPP to disclose its own findings has stirred growing frustrations among its rank and file.
“I don’t think it’s out of place for the NPP to do the same,” Banson said, referring to the party’s decision to withhold the report.
“They would have their reasons, but the margin by which the elections were lost will not be lost on anyone, whether you are a card-carrying member or just a sympathizer”
Bobby Banson, Lawyer
Banson’s comments reflect a broader issue within the NPP: the perception that members, especially at the grassroots level, are not being given a meaningful voice in the party’s decision-making processes.
This perception, Banson argued, can only deepen the apathy that has already set in, particularly if the party’s leadership fails to act on the recommendations made in the report.
Looming Apathy
The lack of transparency surrounding the report’s contents has become a point of contention. Banson speculated that the NPP’s leadership may be prioritizing internal strategic moves over public disclosure, but this is a double-edged sword.
On one hand, withholding the report might be part of a broader effort to manage internal party dynamics without causing unnecessary divisions. On the other, it risks alienating party members who feel disconnected from the decision-making process.
“The people who have made the recommendations – if they do not see those recommendations being implemented or at least taken seriously – then the apathy will only deepen.
“At the end of the day, it will show up when it matters most”
Bobby Banson, Lawyer
Banson also referenced Dr. Amoako Baah, a well-known figure within the party, who has voiced concerns over the lack of follow-through on party recommendations.
“If the recommendations are not implemented, I would even suggest a breakaway party,” Dr. Baah warned, underscoring the severity of the situation. Once a staunch supporter of the NPP, Dr. Baah’s potential shift in allegiance exemplifies the growing frustration within the party.
As internal debates continue, the NPP leadership has already begun to form a nine-member constitutional committee, tasked with reviewing the party’s structure and decision-making processes.
This committee is expected to prioritize issues such as the timing of the flagbearer election and constitutional amendments to better reflect the needs of party members. However, the party must first overcome the perception that its leadership is disconnected from the grassroots in order to restore confidence in the process.
Banson acknowledged that the NPP’s leadership may have valid reasons for delaying certain decisions, including the election of a flagbearer. However, the longer these issues are left unresolved, the greater the risk of further alienating the party’s base.
“If the party doesn’t take steps to implement the recommendations, it will show when it matters most. The voices that have been ignored are not going to disappear quietly”
Bobby Banson, Lawyer
This internal struggle within the NPP is not just about the party’s immediate future. It also speaks to broader questions of party democracy and inclusivity.
As Banson pointed out, the party must strive to create a more inclusive decision-making process, one that addresses the concerns of its members, both in the selection of leadership and the direction of the party.
“They need to carry the people along. If they feel that they are being heard, whether or not their suggestions are implemented, it will be a step in the right direction”
Bobby Banson, Lawyer
The challenge for the NPP, then, is clear: rebuild trust by demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity and transparency.
Without this, the party risks further alienating its core supporters, undermining its ability to compete effectively in the next election. The NPP must work swiftly to address its internal divisions or face the prospect of continued decline.
