By King Amoah
A leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Germany has attributed the party’s recent and significant electoral defeat to a culture of arrogance, corruption, reckless spending of state funds, and blatant favoritism.
Michael Kweku Duah, a communicator for the NPP’s Germany branch, leveled these serious accusations during a radio interview with Silver Radio in Kumasi, highlighting a deep rift within the party following its loss in the December 7th elections.
Duah, speaking from Hamburg where he works with Radio Germany, minced no words in his critique. He described the NPP under the leadership of former President Nana Akufo-Addo as the “worst arrogance party” the country has ever witnessed. According to Duah, the root of the problem stemmed from a refusal by Akufo-Addo and sections of the party’s executive leadership to heed advice, particularly during his second term in office.
Michael Kweku Duah recounted how the German branch of the NPP raised concerns about the Akufo-Addo administration’s performance after its first term, requesting reforms that were ultimately dismissed by the President and his allies.
A core accusation leveled by Duah was that Akufo-Addo transformed the state and the NPP itself into a “family property.” He alleged the president prioritized family members for key positions regardless of qualifications, creating an environment of cronyism that ultimately undermined the country.
This practice, he stated, is unheard of in Germany, further highlighting the perceived missteps of the former administration.
Duah also criticized the extravagant spending habits of the Akufo-Addo government, specifically citing the president’s frequent and allegedly unnecessary international trips, which he claims were devoid of tangible economic benefits. He contrasted this with the neglect of the Ghanaian youth, underscoring what he portrayed as an administration that prioritized reckless expenditures over the needs of the population and sustainable economic growth.
According to Michael Kweku Duah, the “one-man show” style of governance was also problematic. He cited an incident where the former president visited Germany but failed to engage with the Ghanaian community, a move he said demonstrated a lack of sensitivity to the needs and concerns of the diaspora.
The issues didn’t just stop there for Duah, he noted the delegation system that was in place that saw some few individuals become “untouchables” and this contributed to the rot in the party. He questioned the future of a party whose leadership is “full of arrogance” and unwilling to listen to dissenting voices.
Duah didn’t hold back in his assessment of the NPP’s defeat, stating that they deserved to lose. He emphasized that the opposition NDC’s victory was not due to any inherent strength, but rather a clear rejection of the NPP by the Ghanaian people who had grown weary of the “dictatorship, arrogance, and corruption” allegedly pervasive within the party.
In conclusion, Duah asserted that the NPP’s path to future success lies in undergoing a radical transformation, advocating for the removal of 80% of the “dictators” within the party.
