“This is unlike the NPP we know; HOW DID WE GET HERE?” -Prof Frimpong-Boateng accuses party of deviating from focus

Former Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, has voiced his concerns about the New Patriotic Party (NPP), accusing them of deviating from their focus on national development and instead delivering a government that resembles a “family, friends, and concubines government.”

In an opinion piece titled ‘NPP, HOW DID WE GET HERE?’ published recently, Professor Frimpong-Boateng expressed his worries about the current trajectory of the NPP and its departure from the traditional values that once defined the party.

He highlighted a group within the NPP that, despite lacking official political appointments or positions within the party structure, wields significant power. This group is alleged to have the ability to secure influential roles in society for their associates and allies.

Professor Frimpong-Boateng even pointed out that one of them is referred to as the ‘de facto Prime Minister’ of the country.

These individuals, he notes, not only have the power to influence appointments but also display a propensity to disrespect and create difficulties for the Ghanaian population. This, he argued, is in stark contrast to the party’s historical values and principles.

“There are people who claim to be stalwarts of the party; they have neither political appointments nor positions in the party structure. They appear to wield so much power that one of them is described as ‘de facto Prime Minister’ of the country. Apparently, they have what it takes to get their friends and favourites appointed to prominent and powerful positions in society. At the same time, they have the tendency to disrespect and make life difficult for Ghanaians. This is unlike the NPP we know. NPP, HOW DID WE GET HERE?”

Furthermore, Professor Frimpong-Boateng raised concerns about the governance style in Ghana, describing it as characterized by control of the media not through violence but through bribery and intimidation.

He highlighted that state institutions are being weaponized to silence voices advocating for transformative change, while corruption among patronized individuals thrives.

“We are being served with a variation of “family, friends, and concubines government”, and control of the press not through violence but through bribery and intimidation. We are witnessing the weaponization of state institutions to silence transformative voices while allowing patronized corruption to flourish. Instead of development in freedom, we are witnessing unprecedented intimidation, economic retrogression, and suffering in silence. NPP, HOW DID WE GET HERE?”

Professor Frimpong-Boateng’s opinion piece also touched on the political landscape within the NPP. He criticized the party’s promotion of a presidential candidate whom he considers the most vulnerable, with significant baggage compared to other aspirants. He expressed his concern that this approach could potentially lead to problems for the party in the future.

The title of the opinion piece, ‘NPP, HOW DID WE GET HERE?’ reflects the author’s inquiry into the factors that have led the NPP away from its traditional values and principles of governance.