A senior member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Antwi, has attributed the party’s poor performance in the 2024 elections to its failure to address public dissatisfaction with Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.
Despite widespread criticism over his handling of the economy, Ofori-Atta remained in office until February 2024, a decision Antwi believes alienated voters and dampened turnout.
“Keeping Ken Ofori-Atta at post until February 2024 meant that we were not listening to the very people who voted for us, and therefore, we didn’t deserve their vote in 2024,” Antwi stated.
Antwi disclosed that a group of 90 NPP Members of Parliament had previously urged President Akufo-Addo to dismiss Ofori-Atta, citing his mismanagement of the nation’s finances.
The president’s decision to retain the Finance Minister sparked public outrage and, according to Antwi, contributed to the erosion of confidence in the government’s ability to address the economic challenges facing Ghanaians.
“Almost a third of registered voters approximately six million people did not visit their polling stations to vote due to apathy,” Antwi noted, describing this as a stark reminder that leadership must remain responsive to the electorate’s needs.
The NPP’s struggles at the polls have intensified internal criticism, with members like Antwi calling for a reassessment of the party’s direction and leadership. The loss has been attributed to economic hardships under Ofori-Atta’s stewardship, which many Ghanaians felt were inadequately addressed.
“The electorate has punished us severely and taught the NPP a bitter lesson,” Antwi remarked, emphasizing that voter apathy is a consequence of the government’s perceived disconnect from the people’s concerns.
As the NPP grapples with these challenges, discussions on leadership renewal and strategy are expected to dominate its agenda ahead of the next electoral cycle.
