By Daniel Bampoe
Former Vice President and 2024 New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has issued a strong appeal to members of the party to desist from publicly attacking each other in the media, warning that such internal discord is eroding the party’s strength and credibility.
Addressing party stakeholders in the Savannah Region over the weekend as part of the NPP’s nationwide “Thank You” tour, Dr. Bawumia bemoaned what he described as self-inflicted wounds caused by internal criticisms that were weaponized by political opponents during the 2024 general elections.
“During the 2024 elections, our own utterances against each other, against the party and against our government, were used against us,” he noted.
“In fact, they sponsored adverts in the media using utterances of our own members against us during the campaign.”
His comments come as part of a broader reflection on the party’s performance in the last elections, which saw the NPP suffer a significant loss at the polls.
Dr Bawumia, who led the party as its presidential candidate, is now spearheading efforts to heal internal divisions and rekindle hope among the grassroots.
“If we are to stay stronger as a party, such conduct ought to stop because it does not help the unity and strength of our party,” he emphasized.
Close Ranks
The former Vice President was particularly emphatic on the dangers of public spats between party members, urging all factions within the NPP to prioritize internal mechanisms for resolving disagreements.
“We should avoid speaking ill against each other and the party, especially in the media,” he cautioned. “Unity is key in everything we are doing. It is very important to prioritize the unity of our party by coming together as a family.”
Dr. Bawumia’s call for reconciliation and unity follows months of post-election soul-searching within the NPP. After the party’s defeat in 2024, the National Executive Council mandated a committee chaired by former Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Mike Oquaye, to investigate the causes of the electoral loss.
Lessons Learnt
In his address to party members in the Upper West Region on Sunday, Bawumia said the Oquaye Committee has submitted its report, highlighting key areas of concern and offering recommendations to strengthen the party’s internal structures.
“So many issues have been raised and recommendations made,” he noted.
“We all have to get on board together and correct our mistakes as a party. We have learnt our lessons and we shall do better when we get the opportunity again.”
History
Despite the recent setbacks, Dr. Bawumia struck an optimistic tone, encouraging party members not to lose hope.
Citing historical examples, he reminded the rank and file that the NPP has rebounded from electoral defeats in the past.
“History is on our side to reorganize and stage a comeback, so we should all be optimistic and keep our hopes alive. We have done it before, and we shall do it again in 2028 by the grace of God,” he said.
He recalled former President John Agyekum Kufuor’s political journey, noting how Kufuor lost the 1996 election with just 39% of the vote before rallying the party to win in 2000.
He also referenced President Akufo-Addo’s resilience after defeats in 2008 and 2012 before securing victory in 2016.
Hope Alive
Dr. Bawumia’s ongoing regional engagements are aimed at boosting morale within the party’s grassroots, many of whom were disillusioned after the 2024 loss.
The Thank You Tour is also being used to thank supporters for their loyalty and to strategize for a stronger comeback.
“Let’s keep hope alive. We have done it before and we can do it again. We shall bounce back,” Bawumia reaffirmed.
The NPP’s Thank You Tour continues this week through the northern belt, with similar engagements expected in other regions in the coming days.
