The New Patriotic Party’s defeat in the 2024 general elections has been subject to various analyses, with some attributing the loss to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s candidacy.
However, a recent report by Osei Kyei Mensa Bonsu, former Majority Leader, tells a different story.
According to the report, the tribe and religion of the presidential candidate had an insignificant impact on the election results.
The report presented to the Ashanti Regional Chairman of NPP, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, shed light on the factors that contributed to the party’s loss.
Contrary to assertion by some pundits, the report reveals that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s tribe and religion did not significantly impact the election results.
Tribal Dynamics
According to the report, an overwhelming 95% of respondents stated that the tribe of the presidential candidate did not affect the party’s fortunes in the election.
This finding suggests that the NPP’s defeat can not be attributed to Dr. Bawumia’s northern heritage.
Instead, other factors, such as the party’s internal conflicts, campaign strategies, and national issues, played a more significant role in determining the outcome of the election.
Religious Dynamics
Similarly, 98% of respondents indicated that presenting a Muslim candidate as the party’s flag bearer did not influence the outcome of the elections.
This finding contradicts claims by some that Dr. Bawumia’s Muslim faith was a liability for the party.
Instead, the report suggests that religious considerations did not play a significant role in the election.
Mamprusi-Kusasi Conflict
The report also highlights the impact of the Mamprusi-Kusasi conflict on the party’s performance, particularly in rural farming constituencies.
About 5% of respondents noted that the conflict negatively affected the party, with some Kusasis and their ethnic associates voting against Dr. Bawumia.
This finding suggests that local conflicts and traditional rivalries can have significant implications for electoral outcomes.
Traditional Values
Interestingly, the report reveals that traditional values played a role in the election, with many Northern respondents prioritizing seniority.
As a result, they voted for John Mahama, whom they considered older and more experienced than Dr. Bawumia.
This finding highlights the importance of understanding the complex cultural dynamics that underpin Ghanaian politics.
Implications for the NPP
The report’s findings have significant implications for the NPP as it seeks to rebuild and strategize for future elections.
By understanding the nuances of tribal and religious dynamics, as well as traditional values, the party can develop more effective campaign strategies and improve its chances of winning future elections.
Reforms
In the wake of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) shocking defeat in the 2024 general elections, the former MP has unveiled a comprehensive blueprint for reform and revitalization.
The proposed reforms, aimed at addressing the party’s internal weaknesses and external challenges, offer a glimmer of hope for the NPP’s redemption.
At the heart of the reforms is a renewed emphasis on accountability and transparency.
A proposed code of conduct would regulate the behaviour of party officers, presidential candidates, and government appointees, ensuring that they are accountable to the party and the people.
This code would also serve as a safeguard against corruption, with a standing committee established to investigate suspected scandals and make recommendations to the president.
To promote internal democracy and meritocracy, the party would adopt a performance-based system for evaluating MPs.
A performance matrix/tracker would monitor and reward hardworking MPs, taking into account their performance in parliament, constituency visitations, and involvement in party activities. This system would also provide opportunities for first-time MPs from underrepresented groups to prove themselves.
The reforms also aim to reduce the influence of party officers in internal elections, promoting a more level playing field for all aspirants.
The party would ban the printing of T-shirts, posters, and billboards, and all internal elections would be supervised by the Electoral Commission.
This would ensure that the party’s internal democratic processes are transparent, free, and fair.
Furthermore, the reforms propose a more inclusive and participatory approach to party decision-making.
All NPP members in good standing would be allowed to vote, and a two-tier selection process would be implemented to ensure that the voices of all members are heard.
The proposed reforms also address the critical issue of candidate selection.
A presidential candidate would be required to nominate their running mate within a month of their election, reducing tension and acrimony within the party.
Additionally, the party would provide resources to candidates who lose contests, ensuring that they are not left disillusioned and disenchanted.
-BY Daniel Bampoe
