Bawumia is right; leadership failures caused NPP’s defeat – Ibrahim Adjei

Ibrahim Adjei, a former Assistant Secretary under President Nana Akufo-Addo, spoke about the NPP's loss in the 2024 elections. He discussed this on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on April 28.

Adjei pointed to leadership issues as a key reason for the defeat. He noted that President Akufo-Addo refused to reshuffle his ministers despite calls for change. This decision significantly impacted the party's performance.

He defended former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s recent comments about the election results. Adjei emphasized that Bawumia was being honest and accountable to Ghanaians, especially loyal supporters.

During his "Thank You" tour in Takoradi on April 26, Dr. Bawumia listed reasons for the NPP's loss. He mentioned arrogance of power, rising living costs, and failure to reorganize leadership as major factors.

Bawumia also criticized the unpopular E-Levy and the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme during an economic crisis. He said these issues left many Ghanaians feeling disillusioned and struggling.

Adjei insisted that former President Akufo-Addo should be held responsible for the party's poor showing. He argued that Akufo-Addo’s reluctance to reshuffle ministers was due to personal loyalty rather than party interests.

"I think Bawumia is speaking truthfully," Adjei stated. "Ghanaians value honesty and integrity across all political parties."

He added that some view Bawumia as trying to distance himself from blame, but he disagrees with this perspective. Adjei believes that most blame lies with Akufo-Addo’s arrogance of power.

He questioned why there was no reshuffle after eight years in office despite calls for change from 120 MPs. "You kept the same people due to loyalty," he said, referring to Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.

Adjei acknowledged Ofori-Atta's support during campaigns but stressed that changes were necessary when things go wrong. "This is where Akufo-Addo failed," he concluded.