By Daniel Bampoe
As the New Patriotic Party (NPP) embarks on a nationwide “Thank You Tour” following its loss in the 2024 general elections, leading party member and former CEO of the National Petroleum Authority, Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, has fiercely defended the party’s legacy — stating unequivocally, “Walaahi, I am not sorry.”
Speaking to party supporters in Damongo in the Savannah region, Dr. Abdul-Hamid acknowledged the defeat but challenged the idea that the NPP should feel ashamed.
“Tell yourself the truth, why were you saying ‘Break the 8’? Because you knew it has never happened before. You were trying to do the impossible,” he stated, referring to the party’s failed bid to win a third consecutive term — a feat no political party has achieved in Ghana’s Fourth Republic.
The NPP’s 2024 presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, lost to former President John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), who garnered 56.55% of the vote (6,328,397 votes) compared to Bawumia’s 41.61% (4,657,304 votes), according to the Electoral Commission.
But Dr. Abdul-Hamid insists the party should be proud of its record.
“Walaahi, I am not beating myself, I understand it. I am not upset, and I don’t think anybody is responsible for anything,” he said.
He even quoted Bob Marley to underscore his point: “He who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day. In our case, we didn’t fight and run away — we fought, and we are here, and we are fighting again.”
He took a jab at some of his fellow party executives for adopting apologetic tones after the election.
“The General Secretary and others are nice guys, but I am not a very nice guy. They might say they are sorry, but walaahi, I am not sorry about anything,” he declared.
According to Dr. Abdul-Hamid, the NPP has no reason to feel remorseful about any of its policies.
“We did our best for this country, and there is nothing that John Mahama will do that will match up to what we have done. Nothing, walaahi, nothing.”
He further criticized what he sees as instability under the new NDC government, particularly with respect to appointments.
“Look, already see what is going on in governance. They appoint a chief executive one day, replace them the next,” he said, referencing the turnover at institutions like the Tema Oil Refinery, TOR.
The NPP is currently reckoning with a sweeping defeat, having lost both the presidency and parliamentary control.
The NDC won a commanding majority in Parliament, securing 183 seats compared to the NPP’s 88.
The loss has been widely linked to public discontent over economic challenges, including the rising cost of living, allegations of corruption, and controversial fiscal measures such as the e-levy and debt restructuring, commonly referred to as the “haircut” policy.
Dr. Bawumia himself acknowledged that the party failed to effectively engage and listen to Ghanaians on these concerns.
Nonetheless, Dr. Abdul-Hamid urged party members to remain resilient and united.
Drawing on his decades of experience as a party activist, he said, “I’ve been in opposition since 1991–92. We’ve lost before. We always come back. And we’ll come back again.”
The NPP’s Thank You Tour is part of broader efforts to regroup and reconnect with its base, even as internal and public debates continue over the direction and future leadership of the party.
