The New Patriotic Party (NPP) embarked on a nationwide thank-you tour following the 2024 general elections, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from Isaac Adongo, Chairman of Parliament’s Finance Committee. Adongo argues that instead of expressing gratitude, the NPP should be undertaking an apology tour, acknowledging their economic mismanagement and confessing to deceiving the Ghanaian populace. He contends that the NPP’s governance inflicted economic hardship on Ghanaians, and their thank-you tour is a misplaced gesture that fails to address the real issues facing the nation. Adongo insists the NPP should admit their culpability for the economic downturn and seek forgiveness for the pain caused to the citizens. He believes their thank-you tour is a deceptive attempt to gloss over their failures and retain power despite their missteps.
Adongo’s criticism centers around the NPP’s handling of the Ghanaian economy, which he describes as a period of significant hardship for the citizens. He asserts that the NPP’s economic policies exacerbated the existing challenges and inflicted further pain on the population. He rejects the NPP’s attempts to attribute the economic woes to external factors, arguing that the party’s internal policies and decisions were the primary drivers of the economic downturn. He accuses the NPP of deliberately misleading the public about the true state of the economy and their role in its decline, further reinforcing his call for an apology tour rather than one of gratitude.
The Bolgatanga Central MP believes the NPP’s thank-you tour is a calculated political maneuver to regain public trust without genuinely acknowledging their responsibility for the economic hardships. He contends that the party’s leadership was fully aware of the negative impact of their policies but chose to blame external factors to deflect criticism. This, according to Adongo, demonstrates a lack of accountability and a disregard for the suffering of the Ghanaian people. He insists that a sincere apology, coupled with a commitment to learn from past mistakes, would be a more appropriate response than a thank-you tour.
Meanwhile, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the former Vice President and 2024 NPP flagbearer, has acknowledged the party’s shortcomings, citing economic hardship, the controversial e-levy, the domestic debt exchange program (DDEP), and what he termed “arrogance of power” as contributing factors to their electoral performance. However, Adongo dismisses Bawumia’s admission as belated and insufficient. He argues that the NPP leadership was aware of these issues during their time in power but chose to ignore them, further compounding the economic challenges faced by Ghanaians. He maintains that their belated admission of fault does not absolve them of their responsibility for the economic hardship endured by the citizens.
Adongo’s critique of the NPP’s thank-you tour highlights a fundamental disconnect between the party’s narrative and the lived experiences of many Ghanaians. While the NPP expresses gratitude for the opportunity to serve, Adongo emphasizes the need for accountability and a sincere acknowledgment of the economic hardships faced by the population. He believes that a genuine apology and a commitment to rectifying past mistakes are essential steps towards rebuilding trust and addressing the concerns of the Ghanaian people.
The NPP’s thank-you tour, scheduled to conclude on June 4th in the Central Region, underscores the party’s efforts to reconnect with its base and maintain political relevance. However, Adongo’s criticisms raise important questions about the party’s willingness to acknowledge its shortcomings and address the economic anxieties of the Ghanaian populace. The debate over the appropriateness of a thank-you tour versus an apology tour reflects the broader political discourse surrounding accountability, economic management, and the relationship between political parties and the citizens they represent.
