The New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Ghana is facing internal turmoil and soul-searching following its disappointing performance in the 2024 elections. Disgruntled foot soldiers are demanding change within the party’s leadership, particularly targeting the national executives whom they hold responsible for the party’s electoral setback. As the party prepares for its next congress, the position of General Secretary is becoming a focal point of contention, with several potential candidates emerging and vying for the support of the grassroots. This burgeoning leadership struggle highlights the deep divisions and anxieties within the NPP as it seeks to regain its footing and chart a path forward.
The incumbent General Secretary, Lawyer Justin Kodua Frimpong, faces an uphill battle for re-election. While he maintained a visible presence throughout the campaign period, the widespread dissatisfaction among party members may prove insurmountable. Furthermore, reports suggest he is not favored by former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, whose influence within the party remains substantial. Ironically, this strained relationship with the former president, whom some blame for the party’s electoral woes, could also work in Frimpong’s favor. Some pundits argue that distancing himself from Akufo-Addo might be the key to winning over disillusioned party members seeking a fresh start.
Eugene Boakye Antwi, a former Member of Parliament and a vocal critic of the Akufo-Addo administration, is also positioning himself as a potential contender for the General Secretary position. Antwi has publicly attributed the NPP’s poor election performance to a disconnect between the party and the government, placing the blame squarely on Akufo-Addo’s shoulders. He presents himself as a reformist candidate capable of bridging this divide and revitalizing the party. However, his candidacy carries the risk of splitting the vote, potentially paving the way for a less popular candidate to emerge victorious.
Another prominent figure entering the fray is George Mireku Duker, the former Member of Parliament for Tarkwa-Nsuaem and a former Deputy Minister. Duker has reportedly met with party elders in the Western Region to formally declare his intention to run for General Secretary. He has pledged to work tirelessly to restore the NPP’s appeal and regain public trust. Duker’s entry into the race further complicates the already crowded field of potential successors, adding another layer of uncertainty to the outcome of the upcoming party congress.
Adding to the mix is Daniel Nii Kwartei Titus Glover, a former Greater Accra Regional Minister and Member of Parliament. Having narrowly lost the National Organiser position to Henry Nana Boakye in the previous election, Glover is now setting his sights on the General Secretary role. His extensive experience in grassroots organization makes him a formidable candidate, though some question his strategic shift from pursuing the National Organiser position, given the perceived ineffectiveness of the current office holder in the 2024 elections.
The emergence of these four potential candidates – Frimpong, Antwi, Duker, and Glover – underscores the depth of the internal struggle within the NPP. Each candidate represents a different faction or perspective within the party, further highlighting the divisions that contributed to the NPP’s electoral misfortunes. The contest for General Secretary is not merely a battle for a leadership position; it is a symbolic struggle for the soul of the party. The outcome of this contest will significantly impact the NPP’s ability to regroup, rebuild, and regain its standing in Ghanaian politics.
The upcoming party congress promises to be a pivotal moment for the NPP. The choice of a new General Secretary will signal the direction the party intends to take in the wake of its electoral defeat. The grassroots are demanding change, and the pressure is on the party leadership to respond effectively. Whether the chosen candidate can unite the fractured party, heal the wounds of the past election, and chart a course toward future success remains to be seen. The stakes are high, and the future of the NPP hangs in the balance.
