Former Education Minister and academic Professor Kwesi Yankah has described the election of Kojo Bamba as First Vice Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as a major grassroots revolt and a significant moment in Ghana’s political history.
In a Facebook post titled “The Bamba Revolution and a Maiden Broadcast,” Prof. Yankah reflected on the recently concluded NPP National Delegates Congress, which produced a new national executive.
He said the outcome surprised many, particularly the election of Mr Bamba, a former security aide to NPP stalwart Nana Akomea, to the influential position of First Vice Chairman.
Prof. Yankah noted that the First Vice Chairman position attracted several prominent candidates, describing the contest as one of the most keenly watched races at the congress.
He said Mr Bamba stood out from the other candidates, particularly because of his background and campaign style.
According to Prof. Yankah, Mr Bamba campaigned on a message of humility and service, urging delegates to support him alongside the more established candidates.
He quoted Mr Bamba as telling delegates:
“Fellow party members, with due respect, please go ahead and vote for the two learned gentlemen (akrakyefo): Nana B and Nana Akomea. But simply add my name as the third in your order of preference. I am a mere security hand; and will be in attendance to protect the ballot if added; my duty will be to simply stop the rival party from bullying and intimidating us.”
Prof. Yankah said Mr Bamba’s eventual victory over more established figures demonstrated the growing influence of the grassroots within the party.
He described the result as a “historic revolt by the grassroots”, arguing that it challenged the perception that leadership positions within the NPP are reserved for people with impressive academic and professional credentials.
Bamba promises to return power to grassroots
In excerpts from what Prof. Yankah described as Mr Bamba’s maiden broadcast following his election, the newly elected First Vice Chairman expressed gratitude to delegates and pledged to use his position to empower the grassroots.
Mr Bamba said his campaign promise was to return power to party members and help expand the NPP’s parliamentary representation.
“When I was doing my rounds during campaign I pleaded with you to vote for me to win. My promise was to hand over power back to you. During voting at the Congress, you neither gave me the third nor second position as Vice Chairman; you honoured me with the position of 1st Vice Chairman. It is now my duty to give back the power to you, but also add several more parliamentary seats to our party. That’s my job description.”
He also rejected the notion that academic qualifications should determine who is capable of leading the party.
“Politics is not won with certificates but with humility, self-sacrifice, commitment and courage. I will be guided by these virtues to prove others wrong.”
Mr Bamba further pledged to make the party’s national leadership more accessible to ordinary members, including artisans, drivers and other grassroots supporters.
“Tro tro drivers, auto mechanics, carpenters, your own is now here. When you want to visit me, there is no need to write an application; no need to book an appointment…my office is yours.”
He urged party supporters to rally behind the new leadership and help rebuild the NPP.
“Come help me bring back the NPP. Are you not proud your own man comes next after Mahmoud Bawumia and John Boadu. Are you not proud? Together we can even exceed the achievements of our forebears.”
Mr Bamba also reflected on his humble beginnings and his emergence from a party he said had traditionally been associated with lawyers, doctors and academics.
“If the party has rewarded me, Kojo Bamba, a poor underdog… if it has uplifted a virtual homeless, let no one belittle themselves… Based on your hard work for the party, you will be rewarded.”
Prof. Yankah said the outcome had generated mixed reactions within and outside the NPP, describing Mr Bamba’s victory as a development that could have wider implications for Ghana’s political landscape.
He concluded by referring to the development as the “Bamba Factor” in Ghana’s democracy, suggesting that the new NPP executive’s ability to connect with the grassroots could become a defining feature of the party’s efforts to rebuild.
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