Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye
The 11-member committee tasked with investigating the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) defeat in the 2024 general election has officially presented its findings to the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) at a high-level meeting held in Accra yesterday.
The committee, chaired by former Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye, was established to thoroughly examine the factors that led to the party’s electoral loss and recommend reforms to revitalise the NPP ahead of future contests.
The NEC meeting, held at Alisa Hotel in Accra, saw the presence of some of the party’s most prominent figures, including former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, 2024 presidential candidate and former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, his running mate Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, and other key national executives.
The Oquaye Committee, which was granted a three-month mandate, delved into a wide range of issues affecting the party, from internal election processes and grassroots mobilisation to campaign communication strategy and party unity.
The terms of reference included reviewing campaign performance, identifying systemic weaknesses, and proposing actionable steps to prevent a repeat of the party’s 2024 experience.
In the December 2024 elections, the NPP’s candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, polled 4,657,304 votes, representing 41.61% of valid votes cast, while opposition candidate and former President John Dramani Mahama secured 6,328,397 votes, or 56.55%, reclaiming the presidency.
Although the content of the report was not immediately disclosed, sources close to the party indicate it contains frank assessments, including feedback from constituency executives, polling station officers, and former government appointees.
The findings are expected to spark a period of reflection and internal reforms within the NPP as it seeks to regroup and rebuild ahead of the 2028 general election.
Calls for Unity, Calm
The General Secretary of the NPP, Justin Kodua Frimpong confirmed the submission of the much-anticipated report by the Oquaye Committee to the party’s National Executive Council (NEC).
Addressing the media after the NEC meeting, Mr. Kodua stated that while the committee’s work has officially concluded, deliberations on its findings are only just beginning.
“The National Council has received the report, but there are several steps we need to take as a party,” Mr. Kodua emphasised.
“We are yet to go into the full details of the report. In the coming days, we will communicate what needs to be shared with our supporters,” he said, urging party members to remain calm and avoid speculations.
The General Secretary also cautioned against misinformation and internal finger-pointing on social and traditional media.
“There is only one report, and that report is with the National Council. Let’s avoid irresponsible statements, accusations, and counter-accusations. Unity in the party is paramount,” he added.
Nationwide Thanksgiving
The NPP General Secretary announced a nationwide thanksgiving tour of the party executives, beginning next week, as part of efforts to maintain party morale and re-energise its grassroots base.
According to him, the event will be under the theme: “In All Things, We Give Thanks to God.”
Mr. Kodua said the tour would include both Christian and Muslim thanksgiving services, and is intended to express appreciation to party members and supporters across the country, despite the electoral loss.
“Though the results didn’t go in our favour, we remain grateful to God and to our members,” he noted.
Membership Drive
Additionally, he disclosed that the party would embark on a membership drive aimed at reorganising and strengthening its support base across the regions.
Details of the drive, according to Mr. Kodua, will be communicated to regional party executives soon.
Path Forward
The NPP General Secretary stressed that the party leadership has a clear roadmap for reform, healing, and rebuilding.
“We are staying focused. Very soon, the timetable for all major party activities will be rolled out. The leadership knows what it is about,” Mr. Kodua assured.
He concluded with a call for discipline, unity, and support for the party’s collective recovery journey, reiterating that the NPP remains committed to bouncing back stronger in future elections.
By Ebenezer K. Amponsah