Abraham Amaliba, the Acting Director-General of the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) and a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) legal team, has launched a scathing critique of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) leadership, calling for a complete overhaul following their defeat in the 2024 general elections. Amaliba argues that the current executive body, spearheaded by Chairman Stephen Ntim and General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong, has demonstrably lost its direction and lacks the necessary drive to effectively revitalize the party after its electoral setback. He contends that maintaining the status quo within the NPP’s leadership structure will only perpetuate the party’s weakness in opposition, hindering its ability to mount a formidable challenge against the ruling NDC in future elections.
Central to Amaliba’s criticism is the perceived lack of focus and dynamism within the NPP’s leadership ranks. He posits that the current executives appear to be adrift, lacking a clear vision and strategy to rebuild the party’s support base and regain political momentum. This lack of direction, he argues, is evident in the party’s performance in the 2024 elections, where they suffered a significant loss in both the presidential and parliamentary races. Amaliba suggests that the NPP’s current trajectory points towards continued decline unless drastic changes are made to its leadership structure. He expresses surprise that the party has not already taken steps to replace its current leadership, given the magnitude of their electoral defeat.
Furthermore, Amaliba extends his critique to the NPP’s parliamentary leadership, specifically targeting Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin. He argues that Afenyo-Markin, along with the party’s executive body, lacks the necessary political strength and strategic acumen to effectively challenge the ruling NDC government. This perceived weakness, Amaliba suggests, will further hinder the NPP’s ability to regain its footing and present a credible alternative to the electorate in future elections. He emphasizes that a strong and effective opposition is crucial for a healthy democracy, and the NPP’s current leadership is failing to fulfill that role.
Amaliba’s criticism is underscored by the NPP’s significant losses in the 2024 elections. The party’s presidential candidate lost by a substantial margin of 1.7 million votes, while their parliamentary representation plummeted from 137 seats to a mere 88. Amaliba finds it astonishing that despite this electoral drubbing, the NPP leadership continues to act as if they had performed satisfactorily. He sees this as a sign of denial and detachment from reality, further emphasizing the need for a complete leadership overhaul. He believes that the scale of the NPP’s defeat warrants a comprehensive reassessment of its leadership and strategy.
The timing of Amaliba’s remarks coincides with the NPP’s recent criticisms of the John Mahama-led government’s first 120 days in office. The NPP has also voiced strong opposition to the suspension and ongoing removal process of Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo. Amaliba’s intervention, therefore, adds another layer to the ongoing political discourse, highlighting the internal struggles and leadership challenges facing the NPP as it navigates its role in opposition.
In essence, Amaliba’s call for a complete overhaul of the NPP leadership stems from his conviction that the current executive team, along with the parliamentary leadership, is incapable of effectively leading the party back to power. He believes their lack of focus, strategic thinking, and dynamism has contributed to the party’s electoral decline and will continue to hinder its future prospects unless significant changes are made. He views the NPP’s continued defense of its current leadership as a sign of denial and a refusal to acknowledge the severity of their electoral defeat. According to Amaliba, only a complete change in leadership can pave the way for the NPP’s revival and enable it to mount a credible challenge against the ruling NDC in future elections.
