Franklin Cudjoe, president of IMANI Africa, has criticized the current leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for being unfocused and disregarding the advice of senior party officials.
He made these remarks after former President John Agyekum Kufuor recently voiced his worry over being excluded from the party’s decision-making procedures in recent years.
On Saturday, July 19, Mr. Cudjoe responded to the matter on The Big Issue on Channel One TV, stating that it represents a concerning change in the leadership culture of the party.
“To think that now the party is being run by ‘small boys’, a direction or compass, and they are just walking and making it look like they are some big boys — it is a travesty for that party,” he said.
“I am shocked that some people have formed that cohort and will not pay attention to any wise voice. Either way, they still need advice, some sharpening guidance, and shepherding.”
Mr. Cudjoe cited recent internal decisions—such as the contentious decision to not run in the Ablekuma North by-election—as proof of bad judgment.
“That decision from the secretary not to contest the Ablekuma North rerun was the most senseless order by a party that is getting into an election. And they could have won that election,” he stated.
“So, who advised them to take that decision? If that is the way they are going to go into the next election, they have lost.”
He expressed concern that the party doesn’t seem ready for the general elections in 2028 and asked that the current conference lead to significant adjustments.
“I do not see how they are organised or fortified for the next election. I hope that the conference will lead to some reforms,” he said.
“Otherwise, I would rather they regroup and give us a serious alternative to the NDC; otherwise, there is no single statement they have made that seems to sound to me like they understand what hit them and that they are ready to take power in the next election.”