The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has been dealt a significant blow, and it’s time for the leadership to take a step back, reflect, and listen to the grassroots. The party’s arrogance, insulting behavior, and failure to help supporters secure essential needs have led to a massive defeat in both the presidential and parliamentary elections.
Instead of uniting to rebuild and strengthen the party, supporters of the two leading presidential candidates, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, are at each other’s throats, driven by selfish interests. This infighting is not only detrimental to the party’s chances of reclaiming power but also ignores the problems that led to their defeat in the first place.
The Warning Signs
Many MPs who contributed to the party’s defeat have already thrown their weight behind Dr. Bawumia, along with former Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs). However, the grassroots knows what they want, and it’s crucial for the leadership to listen to their concerns.
A similar scenario played out during the 2024 elections when former President Nana Addo Akufo-Addo’s comment about supporters’ thumbs being their own and not being able to force them to vote if they chose not to, led to a significant number of supporters staying home on election day. This highlights the importance of understanding and addressing the concerns of the party’s base.
The Consequences of Ignoring the Grassroots
If the NPP leadership continues to ignore the grassroots and prioritize their own interests, they risk facing future disasters. The party’s defeat is a wake-up call, and it’s essential to learn from their mistakes.
Media personality Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah has already warned former NPP appointees who abandoned the party after the defeat, stating that they should not expect any positions in the next NPP government if they don’t defend the party while in opposition.
The Way Forward
The NPP leadership must take a cue from the party’s defeat and listen to the grassroots. They need to address the problems that led to their defeat and work towards rebuilding trust with their supporters.
Some key areas to focus on include:
– Listening to the grassroots: Understand their concerns and prioritize their needs.
– Addressing past mistakes: Learn from the party’s defeat and work towards rectifying past wrongs.
– Uniting the party: Put aside selfish interests and work towards a united front.
By taking these steps, the NPP can begin to rebuild trust with their supporters and work towards a brighter future. The party’s leadership must recognize that the grassroots is the backbone of the party, and ignoring their concerns will only lead to further defeat.