NPP’s downfall was years in the making – Dr. Arthur Kennedy writes

Dr. Arthur Kennedy, a prominent figure within the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has shared his thoughts on the party’s state following its defeat in the recent elections in an open letter.

Kennedy, known for his frank assessments, did not hold back in his critique, especially regarding the party’s leadership and its handling of key issues over the years.

“My Party, the NPP, through its steering Committee, has issued a statement that reads in part, ‘The SC of the party has initiated consensus building engagements to develop a clear pathway to probe the outcome of the election etc’,” Kennedy began, referring to the NPP’s official response to the election results.

He continued, quoting from the party’s statement, “They also called on the public to condemn the looting of EC offices etc by the public!”

However, Kennedy was quick to point out the hypocrisy he saw in the NPP’s stance. “How time changes.

The party that saw nothing wrong with vigilantes entering courtrooms to free footsoldiers—or the killing of citizens in 2020 or with Ayawaso-Wugon—has found its voice against vigilantism now?” he remarked, highlighting a deep contradiction in the party’s position on law and order.

Kennedy passionately argued that the violence and disorder the country is witnessing today were, in part, the result of tolerating and even encouraging such actions in the past.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this nkwaseas3m is happening now because of the nonsense we tolerated and encouraged. We must stop this because an eye for an eye will leave all of us blind,” he said, advocating for a change in approach to ensure the country’s peace and stability.

He did not stop there, turning his attention to the much-anticipated internal probe into the election’s outcome.

“As for the probe, let me save them trouble, time and resources,” Kennedy quipped. “We lost because we spent 8 years looting public coffers, manifesting incompetence, displaying arrogance, and nurturing Galamsey!”

His words struck at the core of what he believes led to the party’s downfall: the mismanagement of public resources and failure to address key issues facing the country.

Kennedy also aimed at the leadership of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the NPP’s vice-presidential candidate.

“Then we picked the public face of this crime against Ghanaians—the man who argued that one dollar to four cedis was too high but the fundamentals were sound with one dollar to 16 cedis—the man we touted as the most influential VP in our history who transformed into a mere Aplanke at election time—to lead us boldly over the precipice,” Kennedy remarked, a clear indication of his disillusionment with Bawumia’s leadership during the campaign.

The former party member also took a critical look at the state of the Ashanti region, once led by respected figures like Donkor Fordjour, now under the influence of individuals like Wontumi.

“Ashanti that used to be led by the likes of Donkor Fordjour is now led by Wontumi! Prempeh College, that gave us Kufuor and Crabbe now gives us Napo and Wontumi!” Kennedy lamented, emphasizing how far the party had drifted from its foundational principles.

Kennedy’s critique was not limited to individuals; he broadened his focus to the entire party structure.

“The party that was built by men who risked their liberty and spent their treasure to build it now has leaders who have not suffered and see it as a vehicle for amassing wealth,” he said, reflecting on the shift in the party’s priorities.

He further pointed to the unholy alliances formed within the party, specifically with the “Kyebi Mafia” and “Galamsey incorporated,” which he believed contributed to the NPP’s electoral defeat.

“We lent the party to an unholy alliance of the Kyebi Mafia and Galamsey incorporated and got our comeuppance for doing nothing,” Kennedy stated, indicating his belief that the party’s leadership had compromised its integrity in pursuit of power.

Kennedy also criticized the complicity of many in the party, accusing them of staying silent in the face of wrongdoing.

“Too many who knew better allowed Afoko and Kwabena Agyapong to be sacrificed while they kept quiet so they could keep their place at the looting table,” he said, underscoring the moral compromises made within the party.

Finally, Kennedy turned his attention to the former president, John Agyekum Kufuor, who he felt had failed to stand up for the party’s principles.

“Even the illustrious JA Kufuor chose peace over principle and refused to fight for his party,” Kennedy observed, expressing disappointment that a figure of Kufuor’s stature did not challenge the party’s descent into corruption.