“People should not over-exaggerate their strengths” – Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Ex-MP, Suame; Ex-NPP Majority Leader (Joy News 21/07/25)
Friday, July 18, 2025 and Saturday, July 19, 2025. The venue: University of Ghana Stadium. The theme: “Rebuilding Together With Our Values”.
And over 5600 delegates swarmed the stadium. We did not know who our delegate was – and we cared less. Why? We were not expecting anything extra-ordinary! It’s all deja-vu
The arrival of the NPP “big-wigs” gave a fore-taste of the logo-ligi of the events: standing ovation for all the presidential candidates: Bryan Acheampong, Agyarko, Dr. Yaw Adutwum, Kennedy Agyapong and Dr. Bawumia.
Bawumia, the “Establishment” Candidate got the resounding acclaim. He was the only presidential candidate who was driven round to acknowledge the support. With the absence of Presidents Kufuor and Nana Addo, as well as the Chairman Stephen Ntim, the ground had been prepared for Bawumia– the all-time lucky NPP person: that was Lawyer Osei-Wusu (Joe Wise) explaining.
Bawumia was again the only person to address the gathering, He talked about unity discipline and introspection, and then he veered (did you say goofed?) ….. “Let us rather focus on the attempt by the NDC to undermine our democracy and rule of law in trying to remove the Chief Justice … (Did we hear him right?)” and the political witch-hunt of the Electoral Commissioner? Why would NPP wade into the Chief Justice (Torkonoo) saga? They don’t respect the current crop of justices in the Supreme Court? Which constitutional provision (human rights) has been flouted?
Kennedy Agyapong drove in rolling his hands thereby indicating “change”. Known for his threat of “showdown”, no one was left to wonder what he could do next. Does anybody doubt Kennedy’s “grassroots” status? Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu thinks the “grassroots” label is “over-hyped”. Why should anyone challenge this peculiar characteristic of Ken?
The planners had to sell the ideas to the delegates and throw them open for voting – Yes or No. Peter Mc Manu and Evans Nimako had prepared the ground: 56 motions: Abolish Article 13 (1) (9) of the NPP Constitution which established the Special Electoral College (the Super Delegates Conference) (expand the Electoral College to include National Council, National Executive Committee, Regional and Constituency Executive Committees, Electoral Area Coordinators, Polling Station Executives, National Council of Elders, National Patrons, all past National Directors, sitting and past MPs, TESCON representatives from each recognized tertiary institution, all card-bearing Ministers and deputy Ministers, MMDCEs, 15 delegates from every external branch, founding members and 3 representatives each from special organs of the party.
Other reforms voted for include: Grassroots restructuring (from 5 to 11 or 15 members); Nasara Wing Reforms; Financial and administrative overhaul; Women and Youth representation, reduce age from 40 to 35 (Nay, the delegates shout), Amending Article 7 (30) of the NPP Constitution to appoint independent supervisors for polling station and electoral area election (Nay, the delegates shout at Motion 17 because it risked the chance for grassroots participation).
So, the top-bottom elections will stand when the presidential election takes place on 31st January, 2026 and people are defending this! And who, but Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu would justify this by making reference to what Kwame Pianim, NPP founding member said on 19th May, 2010 on the introduction of Prof. Frimpong Boateng as NPP flagbearer: “I will tell you what Kwabena Frimpong Boateng is not.
He is not a man of laziness and corruption or incompetence … we are looking for a leader, and not a flagbearer; any idiot can hold a flag … NPP must go for a tried and tested person with lots of experience in leadership … he is incorruptible … corruption will reign freely if any other aspirant is elected …”what was the reaction of the NPP masses to this innocuous objective analysis? Kwadwo Owusu-Afriyie (Sir John) lamented: “This is sad for politics”.
Akufo-Addo had said before Cape Coast University branch of the Tertiary Students Confederacy Network (TESCON) in April, 2015: “The fight against corruption should start with an incorruptible president. I am not, have never been and will never be corrupt … I will not condone corruption in my government … people who see service in government as avenue for making money will have no place in my government… Ghana could have avoided IMF bailout which comes out with certain avoidable conditionalities if the (NDC) government had been honest with the usage of state funds…”
But, what did we see? NPP appointees “chopping government money nyafu-nyafu”, and President Akufo-Addo labelled “clearing agent” for clearing his appointees from accusations of corruption. Cecilia Dapaah; the Board of Directors of the National Cathedral including Rev. Kusi Boateng; Chairman Antwi Boasiako (chairman Wontumi); Kwabena Adu-Boahene (Ex NSB Boss); Bible-quoting Ex-Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta; (Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances: for his is the will of God in Christ (1 Thessalonians 5: 16 -18) … ex cetera, et cetera …
The “grassroots” NPP people might not understand “economics”, but understand Bawumia’s quote: “when the fundamentals are weak, the exchange rate will expose you”; so will compare NDC $1.00= GHȼ4.00 (2016); NPP $1.00 GHȼ17.00 (2024). And Bawumia was the Vice President for eight years and superintended over the Domestic Debt Exchange where pensioners, including former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo picketed at the Ministry of Finance in February, 2023; her placard read: “We use our bond yields to pay our rents, medical bills, electricity bill, water bills…”
And Bawumia would shirk responsibility; as per Hon. Frederick Opare Ansah: “I am a driver’s mate wasn’t a joke, he was indeed working under a President, Nana Akufo” at Adom FM in February, 2024.
And Kennedy Agyapong would hint: “The message from the base is clear. They’re calling for real change. This is no time for patience. It’s time to rebuild the party with honesty, discipline and patriotism at the core. Leadership must return to those who listen, not dictate”. Not dictate? So, you would question Alhaji Osman Masawudu, the 3rd Vice-Chairman of NPP declare that Nyaho-NyahoTamakloe is no longer a member of NPP because he veered from the ideals of the party. When was Nyaho Tamakloe sacked? For what reason? What are the ideals of the party? So, one of the ideals of NPP is to shut up, not criticise an NPP member when you detect a deviation from the objective, clear, distinct “ideals” of NPP.
Do NPP followers listen, read, … the arrogance, the obstinacy… MP for Afadzato, Frank Afriyie says: “The glorious opportunity that the NPP had after their abysmal performance in 2024 was to apologise to Ghanaians and say that they are extremely sorry … you come and say you are not broken, you are fighters, you have never been defeated … (Afenyo-Markin and Justin Frimpong Kodua) … “Who says NPP members have got the word “apology” in their genes?
Because “Big Brother” (as in George Orwell’s 1984) “is watching”, so all should fall in line; don’t show your face as being in “Kufuor’s camp” (as per the discredited “Agyapadie” book) because Kufuor himself has been “sidelined” (despite the humdrum defences from our “friends” (names withheld). “Kwaseaanite a, naagoroagu” (the game ends when an idiot gets wiser).
So leave the National Cathedral in the present state, and as per Solomon Owusu’s advice put up a placard: “How not to govern a country”. It will attract visitors from all over the world and earn us money to “heal” our sick colonial hospitals as Otumfuo is doing for Komfo Anokye …
