Dr. Kwasi Amakye Boateng’s critique of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) centers on the alleged disregard for the party’s constitution, particularly in the formation and operation of the committee investigating the party’s 2024 election loss. This committee, chaired by Prof. Mike Oquaye, is, according to Dr. Boateng, an embodiment of the constitutional breaches that have plagued the NPP under the leadership of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. He argues that the committee’s very existence is a violation of the party’s constitution, symbolizing a broader pattern of disregarding internal rules and governance structures. This disregard, he warns, has severely damaged internal discipline and eroded public trust in the party.
Dr. Boateng’s criticism extends beyond the mere existence of the committee to the conduct of its chairman, Prof. Mike Oquaye. He questions Prof. Oquaye’s impartiality, citing controversies involving Oquaye’s son, Oquaye Jnr, and his dealings with Adwoa Safo. These connections, in Dr. Boateng’s view, raise concerns about potential biases and conflicts of interest within the committee, further undermining its legitimacy and effectiveness. He emphasizes the fundamental principle that any organization, including a political party, must adhere to its constitution. The NPP’s failure to do so, he asserts, demonstrates a concerning disregard for its own internal rules and democratic principles.
The analyst’s condemnation of the NPP goes beyond the Oquaye committee, encompassing what he describes as the party’s mishandling of public resources during its time in government and a general failure to uphold proper governance and ethical standards. He links this alleged mismanagement and lack of ethical conduct to the party’s electoral defeat, arguing that poor leadership and indiscipline were key factors in the NPP’s loss. He maintains that the disorganized campaign and inadequate engagement with the electorate were symptoms of a deeper malaise within the party – a loss of its moral compass. He posits that the NPP’s defeat was not solely due to a superior campaign by the opposing National Democratic Congress (NDC) but rather a direct consequence of the NPP’s internal weaknesses and disregard for its own constitutional principles.
Dr. Boateng argues that the NPP’s internal disarray played a significant role in handing power to the NDC. He emphasizes that the party’s disregard for its constitution, not merely the effectiveness of the opposition’s campaign, was a key factor contributing to the NPP’s defeat. This constitutional neglect, he contends, created an environment of internal dysfunction that ultimately led to the party’s downfall. He points to the novelty of the circumstances leading to the NPP’s defeat, suggesting that the internal issues were a unique and significant contributing factor, rather than simply a routine electoral loss.
The crux of Dr. Boateng’s argument rests on the idea that the NPP’s current leadership lacks credibility and direction. This lack of leadership, combined with the alleged constitutional violations, has created a crisis within the party. He calls for immediate and comprehensive internal reforms to address these issues. These reforms, he suggests, should include emergency elections to restore accountability and reinstate constitutional order, thereby laying the groundwork for the party’s future recovery and success. This call for reform reflects a deeply held concern about the party’s trajectory and a desire to see it return to its founding principles.
In summary, Dr. Boateng’s critique paints a picture of an NPP deeply entrenched in constitutional crisis. He argues that the disregard for the party’s constitution, exemplified by the formation and operation of the Oquaye committee, coupled with allegations of mismanagement and ethical lapses, ultimately led to the party’s electoral defeat. He calls for immediate and significant internal reforms, including emergency elections, to restore accountability, reinstate constitutional order, and reposition the party for future success. His analysis emphasizes the importance of adherence to internal rules and ethical conduct, not only for the health of the party but also for the preservation of public trust. He concludes that the NPP’s failure in the 2024 elections wasn’t simply about the opposition running a better campaign but a consequence of internal failures, highlighting the critical need for internal reform and a return to constitutional principles.
