Former President Voices Disappointment Over Party Alienation
Former President John Agyekum Kufuor expressed deep frustration over his exclusion from New Patriotic Party (NPP) affairs during a conversation with Abetifi MP Bryan Acheampong on July 12, 2025, as reported by GhanaWeb. Kufuor, who led the NPP to victories in 2000 and 2004, said, “If this party still has elders… I am one,” asserting his enduring relevance.
Kufuor, who governed from 2001 to 2009, criticized the current NPP leadership for not consulting him or keeping him informed, despite his role in shaping the party’s UGCC-rooted ideology and its rise to power. “I’ve been quiet, but I’ve been watching. Closely,” he said, emphasizing his intact mental capacity and rejecting any notion of diminished ability due to age.
His emotional remarks highlighted a sense of betrayal: “And now… I’m being sidelined? Ignored? I don’t understand it.” Kufuor’s presidency brought economic reforms, diplomatic gains, and democratic stability, yet he feels alienated from the party he helped build. The comments come amid NPP internal divisions and the 2028 flagbearer race, fueling debate over the party’s respect for its founders.
The NPP’s recent challenges, including the Ablekuma North rerun boycott and disputes over the 2024 election, have intensified scrutiny of its leadership. Kufuor’s exclusion reflects broader tensions about the party’s identity and legacy, with his call for inclusion sparking concerns about unity as the NPP navigates its future direction.
As a revered statesman, Kufuor’s public outcry puts pressure on the NPP to address its treatment of elders. The party faces a critical moment to reconcile with its founding architects while balancing new leadership ambitions, with implications for its cohesion and electoral prospects.