The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has been a significant force in Ghanaian politics, with figures like President John Kufuor and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. However, comparing Kufuor’s first attempt in the 1996 NPP presidential primaries to Bawumia’s 2024 attempt in the Ashanti Region is not only unfair but also immature.
Kufuor’s 1996 Attempt: A Party in Its Infancy
In 1996, the NPP was still finding its footing after boycotting the 1992 general elections. Kufuor’s first attempt was marked by the party’s organizational challenges and its struggle to establish itself as a viable alternative. This context is vastly different from Bawumia’s 2024 attempt, where the party was not only incumbent but also had a strong presence in the Ashanti Region.
Bawumia’s 2024 Attempt: A Party in Power
As the vice president and NPP flagbearer, Bawumia’s 2024 attempt was influenced by the party’s performance in government and his role within it. The party’s strong foothold in the Ashanti Region, having been in power from 2000 to 2009 and 2017 to 2024, made the elections a crucial test of Bawumia’s popularity.
Key Differences
– Party Status: The NPP was an opposition party in 1996, while it’s an incumbent party in 2024.
– Organizational Strength: The party’s organizational structure and strength have evolved significantly since Kufuor’s time.
– Electoral Dynamics: The Ashanti Region’s electoral dynamics have changed, with the NPP having a strong presence and winning more votes in the region.
A Failed Comparison
Comparing Kufuor’s 1996 attempt to Bawumia’s 2024 attempt is a total failure because it ignores the vastly different contexts. The NPP’s evolution, organizational strength, and electoral dynamics have all changed significantly since Kufuor’s time. It’s essential to evaluate Bawumia’s attempt based on its own merit, rather than drawing unfair comparisons to the past. Rotten banana can only be sold to monkeys but not humans.