The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) surprising defeat in the 2024 elections, particularly at the hands of John Dramani Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has sparked widespread debate, especially concerning the party’s weakening grip on its traditional strongholds.
A key development in the election was the NDC’s success in the Ashanti Region, a region that has long been an NPP stronghold. This election saw the NDC secure several seats previously held by the NPP, signaling a notable shift in voter sentiment and a decline in the party’s influence in the area.
In an interview with Joy News, NPP stalwart Andy Appiah-Kubi shared his insights on the party’s electoral defeat, identifying the Ashanti Region as a pivotal factor. He acknowledged that the NPP’s failure to deliver on promised development projects was a major contributor to the loss of voter confidence in the party.
“The Ashanti Region has historically been a stronghold for the NPP, but there’s growing frustration there due to unmet expectations,” Appiah-Kubi said. He cited the unfinished interchange project initiated by former President Kufuor as a symbol of the NPP’s failure to follow through on its promises. “Despite being in power for eight years, this key infrastructure project remains incomplete, and that’s just one example of several stalled projects,” he added.
Appiah-Kubi further emphasized that the NPP’s leadership under President Akufo-Addo appeared to be disconnected from the region’s pressing needs, which contributed to voter disillusionment and apathy. “The leadership seemed disengaged from the region’s concerns, and the voters showed their frustration at the polls. This was a clear response to broken promises,” he stated.
The electoral results have highlighted the shifting dynamics in the Ashanti Region, raising questions about the NPP’s ability to regain the trust of voters who feel neglected by the party’s leadership.
