Former Presidential hopeful of the New Patriotic Party(NPP), Kwabena Agyepong, has expressed concerns over the ongoing nationwide tour.
He has questioned the timing of the tour and its relevance in the aftermath of the party’s defeat in the 2024 general elections.
In an interview on Asempa FM Ekosii Sen, the former General Secretary emphasised that the NPP needs to focus on internal reflection and addressing the issues that contributed to its electoral loss.
“If we don’t take care, we will present a picture that does not inure to the benefit of Ghanaians. With what has happened, our concentration should be on the report. Sit, distil the critical interventions that will present us in a better way. That for me is the necessity,” he said.
He also emphasised that there was no discussion or consensus at the National Executive Committee(NEC) meeting.
“It came in passing but I remember suggesting that the party leads it but it didn’t occur to me that it will happen this early. So it came to me out of the blue,” he said.
Addressing concerns over his absence, he stated, “Well, unfortunately, for the last month, the queen mother of my hometown passed, two weeks later my mum, and in two days, the king, who is a brother, also passed. So my head has been in the air, and I have been all over the place.”
For other former aspirants who have also been absence from the tour which has already taken place in about five regions, he clarified that there has been concerns over proper engagements.
“For the other aspirants, I engaged them, and it seems there was no proper communication for them to join. Some of these people are old, so there is a way we need to engage them on such things. The party should be able to speak the truth to themselves.
The Thank You Tour is being led by the 2024 flagbearer, Dr. Bawumia, as part of efforts to rebuild and re-energise the party ahead of the 2028 elections, while also appreciating the contributions of party members during the last campaign.
It follows a report by a 12-member committee chaired by former Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Mike Oquaye, which was established to investigate the reasons behind the party’s electoral loss.
There have been calls on the party to suspend it, amidst arguments that it is ill-timed and unhelpful in the aftermath of the defeat.
Meanwhile, the NPP Chairman, Stem Ayesu Ntim, has taken a temporary break from the tour to address what the party has described as pressing matters.
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