Dr. Kwasi Amakye-Boateng cautions NPP against sidelining influential party members

A lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Dr. Kwasi Amakye-Boateng, has cautioned the New Patriotic Party against sidelining influential party members in its newly constituted committees, warning that the growing exclusion could further deepen divisions within the party.

Speaking on internal developments in the NPP at Kessben Maakye show, Dr. Amakye-Boateng questioned why public discussions have focused mainly on the exclusion of Kennedy Ohene Agyapong’s allies, insisting that other notable figures and groups have also been affected.
“Why are we only talking about Ken Ohene Agyapong’s followers alone? What about Kwabena Agyei Agyapong, Osei Yaw Adutwum, and Brynn Acheampong?” he asked.

According to him, the party leadership appears to be making conscious efforts to calm tensions and prevent further cracks ahead of future elections. He noted that former Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has begun reaching out to aggrieved party members who have become inactive in party affairs.
Dr. Amakye-Boateng blamed what he described as the lingering effects of “bad politics” under former President Nana Akufo-Addo for the current challenges facing the NPP.
“NPP under President Kufuor did not experience these issues. I blame Nana Akufo-Addo’s style of politics, and the ripple effects have not diminished yet,” he stated.

He further disclosed that he had learned that Dr. Bawumia had recently visited former party stalwart Dr. Kwame Addo Kuffour and veteran politician Dr. Wereko-Brobby as part of reconciliation efforts within the party.

Describing the NPP’s defeat in the last general elections as an “eye-opener,” Dr. Amakye-Boateng suggested that greed and internal power struggles may have contributed to the party’s setback.
“The method used in electing their flagbearer was wrong, and it will hurt them irrespective of the justification,” he argued.
He stressed that factionalism exists in every political party, but strong and fair leadership can unite members and restore confidence.
“The core issue is inclusiveness. Everyone’s contribution should not be based on what they stand to gain in return,” he added.

Dr. Amakye-Boateng also criticised what he termed the party’s “winner-takes-all” approach, citing the departure of former presidential aspirant Alan Kyerematen from the NPP as a sign of poor leadership.
“If the party operates a winner-takes-all system after elections and influential people leave, then it reflects bad leadership,” he said.

He concluded by noting that Dr. Bawumia, having been closely associated with the Akufo-Addo administration, cannot completely detach himself from the party’s current difficulties and therefore has a major task ahead in rebuilding unity within the NPP.