Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) 2024 presidential candidate, has identified several factors that contributed to the party’s defeat in the 2024 general elections.
Speaking at the launch of his nationwide Thank You Tour at the Takoradi Technical University auditorium, Dr. Bawumia cited arrogance of power, the high cost of living, and failure to reshuffle government officials as key reasons for the party’s loss.
According to Dr. Bawumia, the NPP’s internal dynamics and economic policies also played a significant role in their defeat.
“When you study all the reports we have so far, certain factors were highlighted. These include the high cost of living; the prices of goods and services went up and left many Ghanaians struggling. Another factor that was highlighted is the arrogance of power, we were not willing to listen,” he said, attributing the party’s downfall to its inability to adapt to changing circumstances.
The NPP candidate also pointed to the party’s disregard for advice from its members as a contributing factor.
“The party members told us to conduct a reshuffle, but after eight years we didn’t listen. The party members told us they didn’t want E-levy, but we implemented it. Again, the party members told us that the DDEP was going to be a major challenge but we went ahead to implement it,” Dr. Bawumia admitted.
The economic policies, Dr. Bawumia said, had far-reaching consequences, including unpaid allowances and salaries for certain groups. “Things were bad, and we were not able to pay NABCO, those employed under youth and afforestation, caterers and others were also not being paid,” he revealed.
Dr. Bawumia also acknowledged that the party’s campaign efforts were lacking in key regions. “Even in the regions that give us some vote, we didn’t put in a lot of work there. Western Region is an example,” he noted, highlighting areas for improvement.
Internal disunity, Dr. Bawumia said, was another significant factor that weakened the party’s campaign. “So, going into the 2024 general election, the NPP as a party was not fully united. The opposition at the time, the NDC, even though didn’t have a campaign message, was playing back our language against each other back to us,” he observed.
Dr. Bawumia emphasized the importance of maintaining party unity and avoiding self-destructive tendencies.
“That is why it is crucial that as we go about with our campaign, you don’t bring down your opponent so that you can win,” he advised, offering a lesson for future campaigns” he said.