NPP First Vice Chairman orders the removal of all NPP national executives

The First National Vice Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Dankwa Smith Butey, is calling for a complete shake-up of the party’s leadership. He says none of the current national executives should be allowed to continue in their positions.

Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Butey said the current leaders of the party have not lived up to expectations, especially after the party’s poor performance in the 2024 general elections. He believes it’s time for fresh faces to take charge as the party prepares for the 2028 elections.

“We have all failed, so we need to step aside and allow new, capable hands to lead the party,” he said. “It’s not that the current leaders don’t have experience, but the results show that we didn’t do well.”

Mr. Butey pointed to the significant drop in parliamentary seats as a major concern. He said, “We moved from 137 seats in Parliament to just 88. That’s a huge loss. I honestly didn’t expect us to lose the 2024 elections, so the results were a big shock to me. For more than two weeks, I couldn’t even gather myself.”

He added that if the NPP wants to come back stronger in 2028, the party must take bold decisions now. That means restructuring, strategizing, and rebuilding public trust from the ground up.

According to him, the party’s grassroots supporters are disappointed and frustrated, and leaders must listen to them. “We need to reconnect with our base and work hard to win their hearts again,” he stated.

Mr. Butey’s call for change has sparked discussions within the party, with many wondering what the future holds for the NPP’s current leadership.

NPP Defeat in 2024

The 2024 general elections came as a big blow to the New Patriotic Party (NPP), which lost both the presidential and parliamentary races. For a party that had been in power for eight years, many supporters expected a stronger showing. Instead, the results left the NPP in shock, with many party faithful still struggling to come to terms with what went wrong.

In the presidential election, the NPP’s candidate, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, lost to former President John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Many Ghanaians believed the NDC ran a stronger and more people-centered campaign, which helped them win back the hearts of voters.

In Parliament, the situation was even worse. The NPP’s seats dropped drastically from 137 in 2020 to just 88 in 2024. This sharp decline shocked many, especially those within the party’s leadership. It showed that the NPP had lost significant support across many regions, including areas they previously considered strongholds.

So, what really caused the NPP’s downfall?

1. Economic Challenges

Ghana’s economy faced serious difficulties between 2022 and 2024. High inflation, rising cost of living, fuel price hikes, and job losses made life hard for many Ghanaians. Although the government tried to manage the situation with support from the IMF, many people were still struggling. These economic hardships made voters feel disappointed and frustrated.

2. Internal Divisions in the Party

The NPP also suffered from internal disagreements and lack of unity. Even during the party’s primaries to select its flagbearer, there were signs of tension and bitterness among members. Some party executives and grassroots supporters felt left out or ignored, and this weakened the party’s unity going into the elections.

3. Loss of Public Trust

After staying in power for two terms, some Ghanaians believed the NPP had lost touch with the ordinary citizen. There were several allegations of corruption, misuse of public funds, and poor communication from the government. This created the impression that the NPP leadership was out of touch with the real issues facing Ghanaians.

4. Weak Campaign Strategy

Compared to the NDC, many people felt the NPP’s 2024 campaign lacked energy and a clear message. While the NDC focused on bread-and-butter issues, the NPP’s message didn’t connect well with ordinary Ghanaians. Many voters didn’t feel hopeful or inspired by the NPP’s promises.

Reactions Within the Party

Since the defeat, several key figures in the NPP have called for changes. One of them is the First National Vice Chairman, Mr. Dankwa Smith Butey, who has openly said the current national executives must step down. He believes new leadership is needed to rebuild the party ahead of the 2028 elections.

In an interview on Adom FM, Mr. Butey admitted that the party failed the people and must allow new leaders to take over. “We went from 137 to 88 seats. That is a clear sign that we didn’t do something right. We need to step aside for new ideas and fresh energy,” he said.

The Way Forward

If the NPP wants to bounce back in 2028, they need to go back to the basics. The party must reconnect with its grassroots, rebuild public trust, and focus on addressing the real needs of the people. It’s also important to promote unity within the party and avoid the internal fights that weakened their campaign in 2024.

The NPP’s defeat is a tough pill to swallow, but it also offers a chance for reflection and growth. With the right steps, the party can come back stronger — but only if they listen to the people and make the necessary changes.