Dr. Arthur Kobina Kennedy, a seasoned politician and former New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer aspirant, has issued a strong warning that the once-powerful political party is on the brink of destruction if urgent reforms are not carried out.
According to him, the NPP’s collapse is looming due to poor leadership decisions, internal selfishness, and a disconnect between the party hierarchy and its grassroots supporters.
“The NPP, like the proverbial elephant, has lost its way and is in the bush. Ghana’s voters delivered a clear message to the NPP in the 2024 elections. That message was distilled and reinforced by the Ocquaye Committee Report, by Ablekuma, and now, by Akwatia.”
Dr. Arthur Kobina Kennedy
Dr. Kennedy lamented that the party, once proud of having “the men” to lead Ghana, has now been taken over by individuals he described as “area goro boys” — people who are only interested in advancing their narrow, selfish agendas.
These individuals, he said, are attempting to impose a flagbearer on the party as an “irreversible act,” even as the NPP faces internal collapse.
He stressed that they are pushing a misguided plan to “rebuild from the top down” under the assumption that the broader membership will simply fall in line.
Kennedy warned that such an approach is both dangerous and unsustainable. He reminded party leaders that political organizations are not immune to extinction. Drawing from history, he cited the collapse of powerful political movements worldwide.
He explained that in 1856, a group of former Whigs in the United States, dissatisfied with the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the continuation of slavery, broke away to establish the Republican Party, which eventually played a key role in ending slavery.
Similarly, in the United Kingdom, the once-powerful Liberal Party that produced Britain’s greatest prime minister, Gladstone, eventually disintegrated due to internal divisions.
Lessons From History
Dr. Arthur Kobina Kennedy further emphasized that Ghana has also witnessed the collapse of political movements in its own history.
He recalled how the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) splintered in the 1940s when Kwame Nkrumah broke away to form the Convention People’s Party (CPP).
“The party is always the masses. They will follow you, stay home, or vote for your opponent, depending on what they believe serves their interests.”
Dr. Arthur Kobina Kennedy
He pointed out that a similar situation occurred in 1979 when the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition fractured due to selfishness and petty squabbles.
This division paved the way for Hilla Limann’s presidency and eventually set the stage for nearly two decades of Jerry Rawlings’ dominance.
According to Dr. Kennedy, both political parties and nations require leaders who are willing to put the collective good above personal ambition.
He referenced historical examples of selfless leadership, such as when Lord Halifax stepped aside during World War II, allowing Winston Churchill to become the UK’s Prime Minister because he was the better choice for the time.
He contrasted this with the current state of the NPP, where too many individuals are willing to pursue the flagbearer position even if it means costing the party a presidential victory.
Additionally, he criticized those who support such ambitions purely for financial gain rather than genuine service.
Dr. Kennedy also highlighted an example from South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC). In 1994, Nelson Mandela personally preferred Cyril Ramaphosa as his deputy, but the party chose Thabo Mbeki. Mandela humbly accepted the decision, demonstrating respect for collective leadership.
This, Kennedy argued, set the ANC on its path to long-term political dominance.
NPP Warned Ahead of 2028 Elections
Turning to Ghana’s political landscape, Dr. Kennedy issued a stark warning to the NPP ahead of the 2028 elections.
He noted that while over 1.2 million NPP members voted for President Mahama in the last election, they could have easily secured victory for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia if they had chosen to do so.
“They heeded Nana Akufo-Addo’s advice that they owned their votes. If we don’t listen to them, they will deliver that message again in 2028.”
Dr. Arthur Kobina Kennedy
He called for immediate leadership elections at every level of the party, from polling stations to the national executives.
According to him, the priority should be rebuilding the party’s internal structures and returning to its founding principles — not rushing to select a flagbearer.
Accordingly, Dr. Kennedy stressed that time is running out for the NPP. While financial resources are important in politics, he reminded party members that money alone cannot save a sinking political organization.
He urged the party’s elders, whom he referenced using comedian KSM’s remarks, to step in and save both the NPP and Ghana’s democratic future.
Kennedy argued that even the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the entire nation deserve to have a vibrant, competitive NPP to keep Ghana’s political system balanced.
“If we don’t heed the voice of the people, the NPP will die, just like the Whigs of North America, the Liberals of Britain, and Ghana’s own UGCC and CPP.”
Dr. Arthur Kobina Kennedy
Ending on a note of passion, Dr. Kennedy invoked the party’s rallying cry: “Kukrudu! Long live NPP. Long live Ghana.”
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