NPP Minority setting the Pace, But National Party Structure Failing—GAP-F

The Ghana Academic Professional Forum (GAP-F) has assessed the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) overall performance in opposition, noting that while the Minority in Parliament has demonstrated admirable leadership and oversight, the broader party structure is “failing” in delivering effective opposition politics.

Speaking at the official unveiling of the Ghana Academic Professional Forum (GAP-F) at the Ghana International Press Centre in Accra on Wednesday, June 28, 2025, Dr. Frank Bannor, a Lecturer at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) and Director of Research at the Danquah Institute, delivered a data-driven and deeply analytical assessment of the NPP’s performance since it transitioned into opposition in January 2025. The event, which also served as GAP-F’s maiden press conference, brought together scholars, civil society actors, and political observers focused on promoting academic discourse on national development and governance.

Weighted Performance Analysis

Dr. Bannor presented what he described as a “calculated weighted score” assessment of the NPP’s performance across seven key opposition benchmarks: party reorganization, communication and public engagement, policy alternatives and shadow governance, parliamentary oversight, public mobilization, alliance-building, and fundraising.

According to his analysis, reorganization of Party Structures: Weighted at 15%, the NPP scored 6 out of 15, reflecting modest effort but insufficient transformation.

Communication and Public Engagement weighted at 20%, the party scored a dismal 6 out of 20, suggesting a significant failure to project alternative narratives and influence public discourse.

Policy Alternatives and Shadow Governance scored 3 out of 15. Dr. Bannor noted a worrying absence of comprehensive, sector-based policy alternatives from the national party.

ForbParliamentary Oversight, the NPP Minority earned high praise, scoring 16 out of 20, reflecting what Dr. Bannor called “unmatched rigor” in holding the NDC-led government to account.

Public Mobilization and Outreach: Scored 5 out of 10, an indication of weak constituency-level engagement since the party lost power.

Alliance-Building and Stakeholder Engagement: A mere 3 out of 10, revealing a lack of strategic coalition-building with non-political actors and civil society.

Fundraising and Party Sustainability: The party scored 4 out of 10, especially worrying in light of its recent public acknowledgment that it was unable to pay staff salaries and utilities.

He added: “Without the Minority in Parliament, there would be no functioning opposition force called the NPP today. The party has become disturbingly silent on national issues, ceding the terrain to the ruling NDC.”

Dr. Bannor expressed concern over what he described as an absence of coordinated messaging from the party’s national leadership. “During a critical moment like the President’s State of the Nation Address, the Minority Leader had to read the party’s response. Where was the party’s Communications Director? Where was the General Secretary or the National Chairman? It raises serious concerns about the existence of a functioning party structure.”

Comparative Critique

Drawing a parallel with the opposition tactics of the NDC between 2021 and 2024, Dr. Bannor credited the NDC with demonstrating effective shadow governance, consistent policy engagement, and organized public communication strategies. “The NDC, while in opposition, often led the media narrative and forced the ruling government to respond. The NPP is failing to do the same,” he said.

No Policy Blueprint

One of the strongest critiques was the NPP’s failure to articulate clear policy alternatives. “We’ve not seen a single detailed policy framework from the national party. The NPP should by now have launched a sector-by-sector shadow government with functioning spokespersons offering solutions—not just critiques,” Dr. Bannor urged.

Grassroots Disconnection

On party sustainability, Dr. Bannor pointed to the party’s inability to pay salaries just months into opposition as a sign of poor planning. “This tells us that there was no contingency plan. What happened to the men? What happened to the supposed party of intellectuals?”

He added that reorganization efforts such as biometric membership registration and constituency mobilization have stalled. “There is no strategic outreach to reconnect with the base. Apart from the flagbearer’s thank-you tour, there has been little or no effort by the party to engage rank-and-file members.”

Reforms Recommended

Dr. Bannor further outlined key recommendations to reinvigorate the NPP’s effectiveness as an opposition party like the establishment of Shadow Ministers with Defined Portfolios and launch policy blueprints.

He called for the Restructuring of Communication Strategy with proactive, coordinated messaging from party executives.

He said it was important to build Strategic Alliances with academia, civil society, religious and professional groups, as well as mobilize the base through targeted constituency outreach and digital engagement platforms, among others.

Role of GAP-F

The Ghana Academic Professional Forum (GAP-F) aims to be a non-partisan, issue-focused platform where academics and professionals engage in critical evaluation of Ghana’s political and governance systems.

Dr. Bannor’s presentation was part of GAP-F’s ongoing mission to inject evidence-based analysis into the national political conversation and to promote accountable leadership across the spectrum.

“Opposition is not about numbers. It’s about nerve,” Dr. Bannor stated. “And if the NPP is serious about returning to power, it must wake up beyond the gates of Parliament.”