Speaking on Channel One Newsroom, Haruna clarified that he will not contest the deputy position, noting that it is not independently elective under the party’s constitution. He added that his tenure as Deputy General Secretary is tied to the outcome of the General Secretary race.

“I am not contesting; my position is not a contestable position until it is amended. But my boss will contest, and I will support my boss, Lawyer Justin Kodua Frimpong. When he wins, you will see me continue as Deputy General Secretary,” he stated.

The NPP recently announced that its national executive elections will be held from 18 to 20 September 2026 as part of the broader timetable for internal elections.

According to Mr. Frimpong, nominations for national positions will open from 10 to 14 August, with filing expected between 15 and 17 August. Vetting of aspirants is scheduled for 20 to 23 August, with the vetting report to be released on 25 August. Appeals will be heard on 28 and 29 August ahead of the national elections in September.

Speaking at the signing of a peace pact by NPP presidential aspirants, Mr Kodua said the party is committed to ensuring that the internal elections are conducted in a free, fair and secure environment across all voting centres nationwide.

“I want to use this medium to send a strong caution to any person in our party or outside our party who has any intention of discrediting or trying to mar the beauty of our democracy come January 31.

Be careful, because on that day the IGP and his men will apprehend anybody who tries to cause chaos,” Mr Kodua warned on Thursday, January 22.

The NPP General Secretary also used the occasion to appeal to the presidential aspirants to conduct themselves with restraint and uphold party unity before, during and after the contest.

According to him, no single aspirant can secure victory in the 2028 general elections without the collective support of the party, stressing the need for reconciliation after the primaries.

“This contest is not a war. It is only to show whether you have the support of the party or not. When you win, you still need the support of your brothers to carry on and win the election in 2028,” he said.

Mr Kodua also assured the aspirants that the party’s leadership is fully prepared to support all candidates and to lead a reconciliation process after the primaries to unite the party ahead of the 2028 elections.

The peace pact signing forms part of efforts by the NPP to promote peaceful internal elections and strengthen unity as the party prepares for the 2028 general elections.

“I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t go for the election,” he said in an interview on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem.

His remarks come after the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the area Abdul-Ganiyu Ibrahim suggested that the NPP should not participate in the by-election as a mark of respect to the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

According to Mr. Kodua, this position highlights what he describes as the “hypocrisy of the NDC.”

“It is rather unfortunate to hear such statements,” he added. “Why shouldn’t we go for elections? Your MP has passed away, and you are telling us not to contest? I am very surprised by that.”

The Ayawaso East parliamentary seat became vacant following the death of its Member of Parliament, Naser Toure Mahama, on Sunday, January 4, 2026, after a short illness. Mr. Mahama, a four-term MP, represented the constituency on the ticket of the NDC.

Mr. Kodua recalled previous instances, saying, “When our MP, Ernest Kumi, passed away, the NDC came to contest the election in Akwatia. So, what has changed now? This is not about whether we will win or not. We are going to the elections, and they should not assume otherwise.”

He added that the NPP is already conducting a candidate search and will participate fully in the Ayawaso East by-election.

“We are going to test our popularity, and we will go for the elections,” he said.

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In a New Year message to party supporters, Mr. Kodua described the past year as challenging, acknowledging that the loss remains painful for many members. However, he stressed that the setback does not define the future of the NPP.

According to him, the party’s true strength lies in its core values, resilience and long-standing commitment to national development, rather than the outcome of a single election.

“The past year has tested us deeply,” he said, adding that the NPP has faced difficult moments before and has always emerged stronger through unity and determination.

Mr. Kodua revealed that the party has begun addressing weaknesses exposed by the electoral defeat, noting that several internal reforms are currently underway to reposition the NPP for future political contests.

He mentioned proposed constitutional amendments, the establishment of a training and research centre known as the Patriotic Institute, and the reactivation of the party’s membership dues payment system as key components of the reform agenda.

According to him, these measures are aimed at strengthening party structures and improving organisation at all levels.

Looking ahead, the General Secretary said the party has outlined major activities for the year, including the presidential primary, nationwide elections of party officers, and a reconciliation and unity campaign.

He assured members that all internal elections would be conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner.

Mr. Kodua also cautioned against internal divisions as the party prepares for a keenly contested presidential race, urging members to shun factionalism and focus on rebuilding trust and cohesion.

He praised the Minority in Parliament, led by Alexander Afenyo-Markin, for what he described as a firm and principled opposition, and commended party executives and grassroots supporters for remaining loyal despite the loss of political power.

Mr. Kodua called on party faithful to remain confident and hopeful, expressing optimism that the NPP will rebuild and return stronger through reflection, resilience and collective effort.

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Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Mr. Kodua claimed the Speaker acted improperly by allegedly directing the Clerk of Parliament to notify the Electoral Commission (EC) that a vacancy had occurred in the Kpandai seat, despite an ongoing court case on the matter.

“I’m very disappointed in the behavior of the Speaker of Parliament. I respect him a lot, and I don’t believe he is the one who ordered the Clerk to send that letter. The matter is in court — what happened for Parliament to declare a seat vacant? Which part of the Constitution gives them that mandate?” he questioned.

He further accused the governing NDC of attempting to manipulate the Kpandai outcome, insisting their candidate knew he lost the original election.

Mr. Kodua also alleged that broader political motives were at play, claiming the NDC was pursuing an agenda to weaken the NPP through judicial processes and even suggesting an attempt to create conditions for what he described as a possible third-term bid for President John Mahama.

“Power doesn’t stay forever. They want to weaken the NPP using the judiciary, but we know the law is on our side,” he said.

He urged judges to “uphold integrity regardless of who appointed them,” stressing the need to preserve fairness and the credibility of Ghana’s justice system.

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Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Mr. Kodua said every Ghanaian should be concerned about the direction in which the NDC is heading, particularly regarding judicial independence.

He claimed that the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo by the Mahama-led administration was politically driven, arguing that the reasons for her dismissal were unclear and that the petition against her was never properly heard.

“The moment the Mahama-led administration removed the former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, we knew they had a plan because the reasons were blurry. The petitions weren’t even heard; she was just sacked,” he alleged.

Mr. Kodua further pointed to recent rulings in politically related cases as evidence of what he believes are partisan influences.

“The judgments and rulings coming from political cases — you don’t need a soothsayer to tell you that it is politically biased,” he said.

He urged Ghanaians to remain vigilant and protect the independence of the judiciary, insisting that safeguarding the courts is essential for preserving the country’s democratic integrity.

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Speaking on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, during the unveiling of the NPP’s amended constitution, Mr. Kodua said Ghanaians had given the NDC an “overwhelming mandate” in the 2024 elections, expecting decisive action on illegal mining, stronger governance, and improved security.

“Nearly a year later, those expectations remain unmet,” he said, adding that the fight against illegal mining, or galamsey, has worsened, posing an “existential threat” to the nation’s environment.

He also alleged that state agencies are being deployed to intimidate political opponents and silence critical media voices.

“We have witnessed an escalation in abuse of incumbency and state-sponsored intimidation of political opponents in the media,” Mr. Kodua said.

He further accused the government of withdrawing court cases to shield officials accused of misappropriating public funds and attempting to influence independent state institutions, including moves to overturn NPP-held parliamentary seats.

Mr. Kodua also criticised the executive’s handling of the judiciary, highlighting the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo.

“Sadly, the judiciary, which should be the final defender of the rule of law, has been captured by the executive. Judges now fear dispensing justice impartially for fear of reprisals,” he said.

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In a statement dated November 10, 2025, and signed by the party’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, the NPP argued that the nomination by the Mahama administration was premature since the removal of former Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo remains the subject of active legal challenges before Ghana’s courts and the ECOWAS Court of Justice.

According to the party, proceeding with a fresh nomination while these cases are still pending “constitutes a pre-emptive assault on the judicial function” and undermines the principle of separation of powers.

The NPP also expressed concern about a potential conflict of interest, noting that Justice Baffoe-Bonnie previously presided over proceedings connected to the very case that enabled his current nomination.

Citing the legal principle nemo judex in causa sua — meaning no one should be a judge in their own cause — the party said the development “erodes public trust in the judiciary and compromises judicial independence.”

While acknowledging Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s years of service on the bench, the NPP described his acceptance of the nomination as “a failure of judicial leadership” and urged him to demonstrate restraint and uphold the highest standards of judicial integrity.

The statement further cautioned the Mahama administration against employing “political force” to influence judicial appointments, warning that such actions could endanger Ghana’s constitutional stability.

The party concluded by reaffirming its commitment to defending the 1992 Constitution, stating that it “will never relent in its duty to safeguard Ghana’s democracy and the rule of law.”

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Speaking at a press briefing in Accra, Mr. Kodua announced the establishment of an Intra-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC), a consultative platform comprising party leadership, the Presidential Elections Committee, and representatives of all presidential aspirants.

He explained that the committee meets regularly to address concerns, deliberate on key processes, and fine-tune the roadmap leading up to the primaries.

“In our quest to ensure a transparent and credible process, the party, together with the Presidential Elections Committee, has set up an Intra-Party Advisory Committee,” Mr. Kodua said.

“This body engages all aspirants or their representatives to discuss issues and streamline procedures ahead of the primaries.”

Mr. Kodua also revealed that the NPP had completed a nationwide constituency album verification and validation exercise to confirm the authenticity of the party’s voter register, known internally as the album, across all constituencies and external branches.

He noted that the exercise was conducted by committees comprising current and former party executives as well as representatives of aspirants, ensuring transparency and fostering trust in the process.

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In a statement dated October 6, 2025, and signed by the party’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, the NPP said it saw “no justification” for discussions on possible tariff hikes at a time when Ghanaians are already burdened by the high cost of living and the introduction of new taxes, including the “Dumsor Levy.”

The party argued that the levy alone generates over GH¢575 million monthly, amounting to more than GH¢5.7 billion annually, which, it said, could be used to support the operations of utility companies rather than increasing tariffs.

The NPP also dismissed claims that the proposed tariff review is tied to an International Monetary Fund (IMF) conditionality, describing the assertion as “palpably false.”

“The NPP finds this unacceptable and will use all legitimate means to resist any attempt to burden Ghanaians with astronomical increases in utility tariffs,” the statement said.

Source: AdomOnline

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His comments come after NPP flagbearer, Kennedy Agyapong’s campaign team called for immediate disciplinary action against Wontumi and Abronye DC.

The campaign referenced videos circulating on social media, in which the two regional chairmen allegedly claimed that the party’s electoral roll and processes were being manipulated to favour a particular candidate ahead of the January 2026 presidential primaries.

But speaking on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Frimpong said, “Personally, no one has brought this release or notice to my attention. I only saw it on social media, just like anyone else.”

He added that while he respects the reference made by Kennedy Agyapong’s campaign spokesperson, Kwasi Kwarteng, to the party constitution, he expects a proper understanding of party laws before demanding action.

 “I was expecting that when he made the reference, he should have read Article 4, which talks about discipline and grievance procedures. Our party is not one where you wake up and suspend anyone like that,” Mr. Frimpong explained.

He noted that there are correct procedures for handling internal disputes.

JFK on Ken's camp call for sanction

“If someone does something and you think it’s against the party laws, you first lodge a complaint. My question to Kwasi Kwarteng is: has he or anyone lodged a complaint against Wontumi or Abronye? That’s what some party people don’t understand. They are blaming me or asking me to suspend someone when no formal complaint has been made,” he added.

Mr. Frimpong stressed the importance of following the law.

 “If we are working with the laws, then you have to go according to what our laws say. As it stands now, no complaints have come to my table. If a petition comes and I don’t act on it, then you can blame me, but until then, I cannot do anything.”

Source: Dorcas Abedu-Kennedy

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Speaking on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Frimpong explained that as the party’s spokesperson, it is his duty to respond whenever issues or statements about the NPP arise.

“If I keep quiet or refuse to speak on any matter, it means what the person said—whether true or not—would go unheard,” he stated.

Mr. Frimpong noted that following Wontumi’s comments, he issued a statement addressing concerns about both Wontumi and Bono Regional Chairman Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye DC.

He said the statements from the chairmen did not reflect the party’s processes accurately.

Regarding a video that allegedly showed Wontumi claiming the date for the presidential primaries was selected to favour a particular candidate, Mr. Frimpong clarified,

“The decision for the date was taken by the National Council. The leaders we have are all bigger and respectable, and they can make such decisions. Even people were in favour of the date because they knew it would allow someone to lead the front when the flagbearer is selected.”

JFK on Wontumi statement

He further dismissed suggestions that the party’s register was being used to benefit any aspirant.

“I would be very surprised if anyone says the register is there to favour someone. This register is not new; it has been used before. The album had nothing to do with any presidential aspirant, and everyone supported its use,” he said.

The general scribe also addressed claims that Abronye DC intended to remove some executives from polling stations.

“Even with the system we operate, no regional party official has the right to omit anyone from the album,” he stated.

On the issue of whether the video was doctored, Mr. Frimpong stated, “Until I made the release, I had not seen any statement showing the video was doctored. Everything I addressed was based on what I had seen and the facts available to me.”

His remarks come after Wontumi rejected suggestions that he maligned the National Council in his engagements with the grassroots, describing the General Secretary’s comments as unfair.

Earlier, on Sunday, September 28, 2025, Frimpong had issued a statement urging party stakeholders to disregard pronouncements made by Wontumi and Abronye DC, stressing that no individual has unilateral control over party processes, including the compilation of polling station albums or the timing of the presidential primaries.

Source: Dorcas Abedu- Kennedy

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Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Kodua explained that elections are about winning or losing, and the outcome in Akwatia was not unexpected given the constituency’s history.

“In every election, it is either you win or you lose. The Akwatia seat is a swing constituency, and whichever party wins does so by a very small margin,” he said.

He added that the NPP went into the by-election fully aware of the odds against them.

“For a party in government, the NDC campaigned mainly on development and told the people to vote for them based on that. That message helped them and influenced some parts of the constituency,” he explained.

Mr. Kodua noted that the 15,235 votes obtained by the NPP’s candidate showed the party remained strong in the constituency.

“The 15,000 votes we had prove that the NPP is still very strong in Akwatia. I am very happy with the performance of our candidate and the support we received. We will be watching closely to see if the NDC will indeed bring the development they promised,” he added.

JFK on outcome of Akwatia by-election

He commended the NPP candidate, constituency executives, and party members for their hard work despite the loss, while expressing gratitude to God for a peaceful by-election.

“This by-election will not bring us down. I want to thank our candidate, our constituency executives, and all the bigwigs who came to support us. Above all, we thank God for a successful by-election,” Mr. Kodua said.

He insisted that the results were not a forecast of the 2028 elections.

“This by-election is not a reflection of what will happen in 2028. We knew it was going to be a very difficult election for us after the passing of our MP, Ernest Kumi, but the NPP has shown great strength,” he stressed.

The Electoral Commission’s certified results showed Bernard Bediako Baidoo of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) winning the by-election with 18,199 votes, while the NPP’s Kwame Asumadu polled 15,235 votes.

Source: Dorcas Abedu-Kennedy

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Speaking at the NPP’s National Delegates Conference on Saturday, July 19, Mr. Kodua expressed confidence that Ghanaians are eager to return the NPP to power, provided the party demonstrates cohesion and responsibility.

“Ghanaians are looking for alternatives, and they want to come back to the NPP. They know our government offered better solutions to their problems,” he stated.

However, he cautioned that public confidence in the party hinges on its conduct in opposition.

He stressed the need to put aside internal divisions, unnecessary conflicts, and personal agendas for the greater good.

“At the end of the day, Ghanaians want an opposition party that is ready to govern. Actions and inactions that breed division, acrimony, and tension must be relegated to the background,” he said.

Mr. Kodua called on party members to rise above factionalism and focus on rescuing Ghanaians from what he described as hardship and mismanagement under President John Dramani Mahama’s administration.

“We must show Ghanaians that we are a responsible and viable opposition capable of rescuing them from the current misery under the NDC government,” he added.

Source: AdomOnline

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Speaking at the party’s National Delegates Conference in Accra on Saturday, Mr Kodua expressed shock at what he described as a sudden U-turn by the EC, despite the NPP’s confidence in its victory based on pink sheet evidence.

“The National Executive Committee of the party is dissatisfied with the decision by the EC to do a rerun in some 19 polling stations. We have all our scanned copies of pink sheets in the 281 polling stations, which gave us a clear win of 414 votes. Therefore, we were surprised that the EC decided to call for a rerun.”

Mr Kodua described the rerun as disturbing and warned that such actions could undermine public trust in the electoral process and the credibility of the nation’s democratic institutions.

“We felt that it was a wrong decision, and it is a bad precedent set by the EC. This is very dangerous for future politics and future elections.”

The EC’s decision to conduct a partial rerun in the Ablekuma North constituency stems from concerns raised over irregularities in the parliamentary election results in certain polling stations during the 2024 general election.

The rerun has since sparked criticism and political tension, particularly from the NPP, which maintains it had secured a legitimate victory.

Albert Kuzor

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Mr. Kodua insisted that the January 4 court order directed the EC to complete the collation of results and declare a winner—not to organise a rerun.

“All the EC requested was police escort for collation, so why this sudden change? We will never be part of a rerun,” he stated.

Mr. Kodua further challenged the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to produce the original pink sheets if they truly believe they won the election.

“The NDC knows they have lost but are trying to intimidate us. If they genuinely won, they should have supported the EC with police protection for collation,” he argued.

The NPP maintains that it won the election based on its pink sheet records and is urging the EC to proceed with the collation of results from the three outstanding polling stations—not a rerun of 19 polling stations as announced.

He added that the EC’s “u-turn posturing doesn’t add up” and called on the Commission to explain the sudden shift in its approach.

Source: Farida Seidu | Adomonline

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Speaking in an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosi Sen show, Mr. Kodua described the EC’s move as inconsistent and lacking credibility.

“The EC has a lot of questions to answer. Their U-turn doesn’t add up. What we were told earlier is that only three polling stations were outstanding after collation, and now they are saying 19. This is clearly an afterthought,” he said.

Mr Kodua questioned the basis of the Commission’s sudden change in position.

He explained that EC officials had informed all political parties during the collation process that only three polling stations had issues, and pink sheets had already been distributed to party agents.

“We know for a fact that some of the polling stations included in the 19 were not part of the ones initially said to be outstanding,” he alleged.

He warned that such abrupt decisions and perceived inconsistencies from the EC could have dangerous implications.

“If we allow this, it could encourage political actors to resort to violence and disruptions during elections just to get a rerun,” he cautioned.

The Electoral Commission, on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, announced that the rerun would take place on Friday, July 11, following months of disagreement between the NPP and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) over the results of the 2024 parliamentary elections in Ablekuma North.

The seat is being hotly contested between Nana Akua Afriyie of the NPP and Ewurabena Aubynn of the NDC.

In the meantime, the NPP has secured an interlocutory injunction from the Accra High Court to halt the EC’s planned rerun, arguing that the commission is acting in breach of an earlier court directive.

Source: Dorcas Abedu-Kennedy

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Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Mr Kodua said,
“Ernest Yaw Kumi was one of the most outstanding Members of Parliament among the new MPs. I still can’t believe he is gone. His death has deeply affected the party.”

The late Ernest Yaw Kumi, a first-time MP, died after a brief illness.

His sudden demise has sent shockwaves through Ghana’s political landscape, especially as he was actively involved in parliamentary duties just last week.

Tributes have poured in from colleagues, constituents, and political leaders, praising his humility, dedication, and service to the people of Akwatia.

Source: Farida Seidu | Adomonline

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In an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Mr. Kodua described the letter as unfortunate and unnecessary, questioning both its intent and appropriateness.

In a letter dated June 16, 2025, and addressed to the Chairman of the NPP Council of Elders, the Ntim family requested the temporary withdrawal of Mr. Ntim from all political activities. They cited his deteriorating health, the need for urgent medical attention, and the importance of rest.

The family also objected to his participation in a scheduled party meeting on June 17 at the Alisa Hotel, saying it could pose serious health risks and potentially violate his personal rights.

Responding to the concerns, Mr. Kodua said the letter was misplaced, stating that there had been no prior communication from Mr. Ntim himself regarding any health challenges.

“The NPP voted for Chairman Stephen Ntim, not his family,” Kodua stressed. “He hasn’t written any letter to inform us that he is unwell. In any case, Article 10 of the party’s constitution allows the First Vice Chairman to step in when the Chairman is unavailable, so I don’t know what the letter sought to achieve.”

He further explained that nobody is forcing Mr. Ntim to attend any meeting.

“If there is a meeting and Chairman Ntim wants to attend, he will drive there himself without being forced. So, the letter was unfortunate and unnecessary. There wasn’t even a medical report attached to support their claims,” he added.

Mr. Kodua’s comments have stirred public discussion about internal communication and protocol within political parties, especially when personal matters like health intersect with party leadership responsibilities.

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Clad in all-white attire, Wontumi appeared in high spirits, smiling broadly and warmly exchanging pleasantries with party members.

In a brief address, he expressed gratitude to NPP supporters for their show of solidarity during his six-day detention.

Chairman Wontumi gave special thanks to NPP General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong, commending his leadership and support during the difficult period.

“I had to come and show how grateful I am. May God bless you. Everything will be fine,” Wontumi said.

Chairman Wontumi was granted bail of GH₵50 million with two sureties to be justified following his arrest on Tuesday, May 27, in connection with ongoing investigations into alleged fraud and money laundering.

His arrest has drawn widespread criticism within the NPP.

He remained in custody after failing to meet his bail conditions of GH₵50 million with two justified sureties on Wednesday, amid reports of ill health.

During his detention, scores of NPP members, including the Minority in Parliament, stormed EOCO’s headquarters to protest the bail conditions, describing them as excessive and unreasonable.

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The General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Frimpong Kodua, has condemned Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe over his recent remarks about the party’s leadership and the handling of the arrest of Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.

According to him, the chairman had to attend to pressing matters in Accra but is expected to rejoin the team in due course.

Speaking to the media on the matter, Mr. Kodua explained that the chairman was actively involved in the tour just a day prior and accompanied the delegation to various locations.

“The National Chairman was with us even yesterday, and we all went to Adansi Asokwa and then to Bekwai and other places. But there was an emergency that warranted him to return to Accra and address it,” he said.

He further noted that the scope of work required to sustain the party goes beyond the “Thank You” tour.

“The work we are doing for the party is huge, and it is not only about the ‘Thank You’ tour. As I speak here, the national organizer isn’t here—it is also because of our upcoming demonstration. It is the same reason for the chairman to hold some meetings, including with our Council of Elders,” he explained.

Mr. Kodua stressed that the chairman’s temporary absence should not be misconstrued as disengagement from the tour.

“It is not true that he has abandoned the tour. He will return to join us on the tour,” he assured.

Speaking on Sunday, 27 April, during the party’s Thank You Tour, Mr. Kodua emphasised the need for the NPP to confront these challenges honestly if it hopes to rebuild and regain public trust.

“We lost the 2024 elections because of cost of living issues and poor governance in certain areas,” Mr. Kodua stated.

He explained that the hardships faced by ordinary Ghanaians, particularly in relation to prices of basic goods and services, significantly eroded the party’s support base.

According to him, while the NPP achieved several successes, its failure to address critical bread-and-butter issues made it difficult to secure re-election.

Mr. Kodua further highlighted that governance lapses in some sectors created widespread dissatisfaction among the electorate.

“Some areas of governance did not meet the expectations of our people, and unfortunately, we paid the price at the polls,” he noted.

He added that the party must listen more closely to the concerns of Ghanaians and ensure that their needs are prioritised in the future.

The General Secretary urged party members to rally together and work towards implementing the recommendations of the recently completed internal review processes.

He reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the NPP, stating, “We must learn from our mistakes, correct them, and move forward with unity and purpose.”

Addressing supporters at the NPP headquarters on Wednesday, Mr. Kodua apologised to Ghanaians for the party’s shortcomings while in power and acknowledged the disappointment many felt.

“To our supporters, to Ghanaians who were disappointed with us as a party and as a government because of certain inactions and actions of our leadership, we have heard you. As a party, we have reflected on everything that happened during our tenure in office.

“We know we did our best in terms of infrastructure and policies, but we didn’t get everything right. So, to everyone who hears us and watches us, on behalf of the National Party, we want to say we are sorry for the disappointment,” he said.

He pledged that the party would address and rectify its past mistakes if given the mandate in the 2028 general elections.

“But we can assure you that we have learnt our lessons. The restructuring that is going to happen in our party will ensure that the New Patriotic Party comes back on the right path. And in 2028, when, by God’s grace, you give us the mandate, all the wrongs that were made will be corrected for us to have a better government under the leadership of the flagbearer we selected,” he assured.

The Thank You Tour, led by the 2024 presidential candidate and former Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, forms part of efforts to reconnect with the party’s grassroots and express gratitude to supporters nationwide.

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He recalled that one of the main concerns leading up to the 2020 elections was the party’s imposition of certain candidates on constituencies.

“We vowed not to allow such incidents to repeat themselves in the 2023/2024 primaries. You can attest that we held one of the most transparent and efficient parliamentary primaries, with no controversies afterward. The constituencies were given the chance to elect their preferred leaders for the 2024 elections,” he explained.

Kodua also revealed that an album validation committee was formed to ensure transparency and avoid misunderstandings among party members during the election.

In an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosiisen show on Tuesday, January 14, Mr. Kodua stated that the party’s parliamentary candidates acknowledged the maximum support they had received, making the election process unprecedented in its smoothness.

“Some of us are still shocked by the outcome,” he said, emphasizing his confusion over how the party lost so many seats despite the transparent process in the primaries.

He further explained that he refrained from granting interviews after the election because he was still trying to understand the results. However, he expressed confidence in the committee set up to investigate the aftermath of the election. “The committee, led by Prof. Mike Oquaye, will probe the situation to uncover what really happened,” he added.

Kodua attributed the party’s poor performance to apathy that had infiltrated the party, which, he argued, affected both the presidential and parliamentary candidates.

While both parties had 137 MPs in the 8th Parliament, with one independent MP backing the NPP for a slight majority, the 9th Parliament has seen the NDC win 183 seats, with the NPP securing only 88 seats and four Independent MPs.

One parliamentary seat remains undecided due to an outstanding dispute, according to the Electoral Commission.

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Speaking during an interview on TV3 at the Tesano Police Station on Friday, December 13, 2024, he criticized the NDC for what he described as inconsistent positions and questioned their credibility in addressing the issue.

Kodua recounted an instance where an NDC representative initially claimed there had been an Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting but later asked for evidence such as a text message or official letter summoning the meeting.

“How can someone who earlier claimed there was an IPAC meeting, only to later allege an injunction, be taken seriously?” he questioned, expressing skepticism about the NDC’s approach.

Addressing the NDC’s concerns over alleged discrepancies during the re-collation process, the NPP General Secretary defended the transparency of the electoral process.

He maintained that any identified issues did not affect the results and called on the NDC to verify whether their records matched the Electoral Commission’s (EC) data.

“If there are no discrepancies, what is the basis of their objections?” he asked.

Kodua also suggested that the NDC’s frustrations stemmed from internal pressure.

“The NDC is under pressure from their supporters, who are questioning why they are allowing re-collation while the NPP appears calm, even relaxed enough to take food and drinks. This pressure is driving their misbehavior,” he noted.

He highlighted the NPP’s commitment to fairness by referencing the party’s history of conceding defeat in previous elections when results were unfavorable.

He called on the NDC to prioritize truth and transparency over what he termed unwarranted frustrations.

Despite delays caused by the disputes, Kodua insisted that the process must be completed accurately, no matter how long it takes.

“No matter how long it takes—today, tomorrow, or next week, the right thing must be done,” he stressed.

The ongoing disagreements follow the Electoral Commission’s decision to relocate the collation of disputed results in some Eastern Region constituencies to the Police Training School in Tesano, Greater Accra, to avoid the chaos seen in other areas.

After the re-collation, the returning officer declared Ernest Yaw Kumi, the NPP’s candidate, as the winner.

However, the NDC has rejected the declaration, citing inconsistencies between the results and the pink sheets.

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Speaking at the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting on Tuesday, he said the allegations lack evidence.

“Not long ago, certain people staged a demonstration against the Electoral Commission based on what they perceived to be discrepancies in an attempt to rig the election for the New Patriotic Party (NPP),” he said.

Mr Kodua has therefore challenged the NDC to present their claims to the Electoral Commission (EC) for proper scrutiny.

“Despite several calls from key stakeholders, including ourselves, asking the NDC to raise legitimate concerns, we even suggested they hold a press conference and invite all of us to review these allegations.

“Today, as we speak, the NDC is yet to provide the so-called allegations and discrepancies to the Electoral Commission. Let it be on record,” he noted.

He further expressed doubt over the validity of the NDC’s claims, adding.

“I challenge them. If the NDC indeed has any further allegations, they should bring them forward for interrogation and to see whether the Electoral Commission has addressed them. It’s not a question of having a leaking roof and simply mopping the floor” he added.

The IPAC meeting was convened to address concerns regarding the voters’ register as the December 7 election approaches.

However, Mr Kodua emphasised that the NPP remains confident in the integrity of the register and the EC’s ability to address any legitimate concerns.

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Mr Kodua criticized Mahama for making comments that he considers “unbecoming of a statesman”.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC)  flagbearer, during his campaign tour in the Greater Accra region on September 17, warned that thunder would strike anyone who refuses to concede power if the NDC wins the 2024 election.

He urged that any plans to subvert the will of Ghanaians in the upcoming election should be abandoned.

Speaking in response on Adom FM morning show, Dwaso Nsem on Wednesday, Mr Kodua stated that Mahama’s remarks were inappropriate for a former president.

“In Ghana, every former president becomes a statesman, and everything you do should mirror that. I don’t want to disrespect John Mahama, but his actions are gradually not befitting of the title. There are certain things. The statement coming from him is very appalling,” he said.

Justin Kodua added that, the NPP does not intend to disrespect Mahama but finds his statements appalling.

He emphasized that Ghanaians are taking note of Mahama’s conduct.

“The people around Mahama should advise him that elders do not talk like that, at least not when you have been a former President. I’m disappointed but it’s good that Ghanaians have seen the kind of person he is,” he added.

Watch the video below:

Source: Adomonline

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According to him, the NPP, having worked for years to ensure national stability, will not engage in any activities that could undermine it.

“The NPP stands for peace and admires the political stability that we have in this country and will never at any point in time do anything to defeat and destroy the peace and stability that we are enjoying as a country,” he stated.

He made this known during an interview with Osei Bonsu on Adom TV, as part of Adom Brands’ 100 Days to Elections countdown launch.

Discussing the party’s prospects, Mr. Frimpong Kodua disclosed the NPP’s historical performance and current preparations.

He noted that since 2000, it has been challenging for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to win elections, with NPP winning elections with significant margins.

“When we win, the margin is big, and the NDC’s margin is small,” he said.

The NPP scribe acknowledged internal challenges, such as voter apathy within the party, but expressed confidence in overcoming them.

“Our only problem is apathy in the party, which I am working on. We are convinced that if we get core NPP members to vote, we will win the election,” he added.

Mr. Frimpong Kodua therefore assured that the NPP is well-prepared and committed to conducting a peaceful campaign.

“The NPP won’t cause mayhem in the 2024 election,” he said. He highlighted the party’s track record of offering solutions and advocating for positive changes in every election cycle. “We have tasted power both in opposition and in power. Whatever the outcome will be, we won’t cause mayhem,” he affirmed.

He also urged NPP supporters to remain steadfast as the party prepares for the upcoming election.

Source: Adomonline.com | Dorcas Abedu-Kennedy

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Mr. Kodua’s statement comes amid swirling speculations within the NPP and among political pundits regarding the apparent delay in naming a running mate.

This delay has sparked discussions about potential candidates and its implications for the party’s electoral prospects.

But speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Tuesday, Mr. Kodua addressed the speculation surrounding Bawumia’s running mate selection process.

He said lobbying for positions is common in politics.

Mr. Kodua stressed the importance of focusing on a candidate’s capability rather than their tribe.

He highlighted the need for a competent individual who understands the electoral process, regardless of their tribal background.

“Speculation is part and parcel of politics, and it’s healthy to see interest from various quarters. However, what truly matters is the competence and dedication of the chosen candidate, not their tribal affiliation. We are in search of a candidate who not only hails from a certain tribe but one who can navigate the complex landscape of our electoral process with finesse” he said.

Regarding the timing of the announcement, Mr. Kodua assured that Dr. Bawumia will reveal his running mate in due time.

He said Dr. Bawumia will nominate a running mate who can effectively challenge the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and fulfill his duties competently.

“Rest assured, Bawumia will make his announcement in due time. Let’s trust the process and focus on what’s truly important for the progress of our party and our nation.”

KODUA ON BAWUMIA RUNNING MATE

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The money according to Mr Adorye was a birthday gift.

“On Tuesday, General Secretary sent me money for my birthday,” he said amidst laughter on Accra-based Okay FM.

The former Security Coordinator at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA), turned a year older on Monday, November 20, 2023.

Coincidentally, Mr Kodua in a letter on the same day announced the termination of Mr Adorye’s membership and three others from the NPP.

The other trio are former General Secretary, Nana Ohene Ntow, former Adentan and Madina Members of Parliament (MPs); Yaw Buaben Asamoa, and Boniface Abubakar Saddique.

Mr Kodua, said the four forfeited their membership when they publicly endorsed independent presidential aspirant, Alan Kyerematen instead of NPP’s flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

But Mr Adorye has said the dismissal is apt and came at the right time to complement his birthday celebration.

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The governing party was faced with some internal issues after recording a series of violent acts and complaints of unfairness during the Super Delegates Congress.

On the back of this, a leading member of the party and a then aspirant in the flagbearership race, Alan Kyerematen withdrew from the race and subsequently resigned from the party.

This act many political analysts have predicted will cause the party in the 2024 general election.

But speaking on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem Tuesday, Mr Kodua said the alleged division in the party is over following the election of its flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

“We no longer have camps of aspirants. We are now a united front,” he said.

The NPP General Secretary noted that, the leadership of the party will ensure all issues are resolved.

“All the committees will have the aspirants and supporters on board. We will forge unity to grow in the party,” he added.

Mr Kodua indicated that, the party can only break the 8 if everyone is on board.

Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia emerged victorious with over 61% votes after beating Assin Central Member of Parliament (MP), Kennedy Agyapong, the immediate past Agriculture Minister, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, and former Mampong MP, Francis Addai-Nimoh.

Mr Agyapong, Dr Akoto, and Mr Addai-Nimoh after Dr Bawumia was declared the winner pledged their support.

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He emphasized that compared to the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the NPP has demonstrated superior economic management.

Mr. Kodua acknowledged the challenges posed by COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war but underscored the party’s accomplishments since assuming office in January 2017.

He also commended the economic acumen of former President Kufuor and President Akufo-Addo.

“When it comes to managing Ghana’s economy, our opponents do not have a comparable record. It is the case that today, the NDC feels emboldened because COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine War have vanquished the gains we made immediately upon taking over on 7th January 2017.”

“Under President John Agyekum Kufuor, from 7th January 2001 to 7th January 2009, the NPP pulled Ghana’s economy out of the stagnation the NDC left. Again, under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, we grew the economy on average 7 percent from another NDC stagnation for three consecutive years before the disruptions of the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia’s War in Ukraine.”

“The truth is that we are fixing the economy, and soon, the hardships of today will be history. The assurance to Ghanaians that we will regenerate the economy is manifest in our record,” he said.

In all, a little over 208,000 delegates are to cast their ballot across the 270 constituencies of the country to elect one out of the four aspirants.

The delegates, who make up the Electoral College comprises Members of Parliament, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives, ministers and their deputies, foundation members of the NPP, members of the party’s National Council and patrons and council of elders.

The rest are regional party officers, constituency officers, constituency patrons, constituency elders, electoral area coordinators, polling station executives, overseas branches and members of TESCON, the tertiary students’ wing of the party.

The delegates will be voting on four aspirants, namely the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong, former Agric Minister, Dr Akoto Afriyie, and a former MP, Francis Addai-Nimo.

Speaking on PM Express on Wednesday, November 2, the General Secretary of the NPP, Justin Kodua, said all arrangements for a successful electoral exercise have been put in place for Saturday.

“With a few days left, I can tell you and the party’s rank and file that we are ready. The Electoral Commission is ready, the Ghana Police Service is also ready, and I believe that delegates and the aspirants themselves are also ready” the NPP scribe noted.

He said the Ghana Police Service has the full support of the party to offer maximum security during the election without any interference.

“We have never had a perfect election in this world, and we always learn from the previous ones and improve on the future ones. About a week ago, the party, the Electoral Commission and the Ghana Police Service together with the aspirants, had a meeting at the Police headquarters, and we were all clear in our minds about the role that the Ghana Police Service will be playing on Saturday.

“And I also indicated our fullest support to the Ghana Police Service, that on Saturday they are in charge, they are supposed to make sure there is maximum security in and around where the voting will be taking place in all the 277 centers that we are going to have the election. On that day, I have also given them the assurance that as a party we will comport ourselves very well, and nobody even from the presidency to the national party will have the right to interfere with the work that will be done by the Electoral Commission or the Ghana Police Service.”

He added that, “Anyone who makes any attempt to cause any havoc or chaos there should be arrested by the Ghana Police Service. So, I am sure that the police will be up to the task and we are looking forward to have a very successful primary on Saturday.”

According to the General Secretary, all issues regarding the delegates’ album or register have been sorted out with all the aspirants satisfied.

“The final album has now been given to the Electoral Commission to bring it on the day of the polls”Mr Kodua noted.

Allegations of financial inducement were rife during the party’s super delegates’ conference that trimmed the number of aspirants to five, until the resignation of former Trade Minister Alan Kyerematen, leaving four contestants.

While aspirants have often been accused of inducing delegates to sway votes in their favour, they have mostly denied with the explanation that the monies are largely given to delegates to take care of their transportation and food.

But the party’s General Secretary says anyone found to be engaging in any act of inducement at the voting grounds will be handed over to the police. He, however, emphasised that the winner of the election will be based on merit and not the influence of money.

“Some people will also be disappointed because I don’t know how about 203,00 delegates, as aspirant will be able to give mayb2 200 cedis or 300 cedis to each of them. I believe the election on Saturday will be determined based on merit, based on the people’s perception and how an aspirant has been able to sell his message to the delegates. I don’t think ‘monecracy will play any role on Saturday. Our focus is to have a transparent election, and I can assure you money will not determine who will win the election.

He, however, noted that any act of inducement that happens within the precincts of the voting area will be referred to the police.

He warned that individuals who will attempt to capture their choices in the voting booth will also be handed over to the police.

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He emphasized the existence of a clear boundary, warning that those who transgress this boundary will face consequences.

He specified that the party’s disciplinary committee, along with other measures, will address those who engage in acts of violence or communicate in an unacceptable manner.

This stance is reflected in the current situation where certain individuals are being referred to the committee.

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen Monday, Mr. Frimpong underscored his commitment to upholding principles and maintaining impartiality in his actions.

He reaffirmed his ongoing role as the General Secretary through various election cycles, affirming his authority to ensure order within the party.

He also dismissed allegations of favoritism, stating that all aspirants at the just ended super delegates’ congress were treated equitably, and he rejected any notion of bias towards specific national officers.

“Regardless of one’s position, the disciplinary committee will act against those found guilty of misconduct during the recent Super Delegates Conference,” he said.

Aspiring NPP flagbearer Kennedy Agyapong, along with Mr. Raphael Patrick Sarfo, Mr. Charles Dokyi Yaw-Addo, Mr. Musa Sulemana, and Mr. Hopeson Yaovi Adorye, have been forwarded to the party’s disciplinary committee.

This step follows evidence, including photographic and video material, indicating potential violations of the party’s constitution in Article 3(5)(A), as well as possible misconduct under Article 4(7).

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Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen of the media.

We welcome you all to this press interaction and commend you for honouring our invitation at such short notice. We have invited you here to officially communicate the NPP’s position on recent developments in the country including the prevailing socioeconomic conditions.

RECENT ECONOMIC GAINS

Fellow Ghanaians, we cannot begin this press engagement without speaking on recent developments about the economy. As we have previously admitted, our dear country has in the past few months endured some challenging socioeconomic conditions partly attributed to the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and worsened by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Depreciation of the Cedi against major trading currencies particularly the dollar, surge in prices of petroleum products and rising inflation nearly destabilised the local economy.

As the ruling political Party, we received numerous petitions from the length and breadth of the country which implored us and government to urgently address socioeconomic conditions which had increased cost of living for the ordinary Ghanaian and nearly suffocated businesses. Consequently, the leadership of the NPP had several engagements with government with the view to addressing the legitimate concerns so expressed.

It is heart-warming that following these engagements, remedial interventions put in place by the listening Akufo-Addo government are gradually yielding results. As evidenced by all and sundry, the Cedi has, in the past week or two, witnessed significant gains in value, appreciating by some 63.7% against the US dollar as at December 15, 2022. This appreciation has been rightly described by many economic watchers as an unprecedented feat in the history of our country.

Interestingly, our political opponents who were blaming government policies for the cedi depreciation are now saying we should not attribute the gains to government’s interventions. So we ask, if government can be blamed for the cedi depreciation, why can’t the same government be credited for the appreciation in the value of the cedi? We leave that to the judgment of discerning Ghanaians.

We also find as gratifying that owing to the massive appreciation in the value of the cedi, prices of petroleum products at the pump have reduced, resulting in a 15.3% reduction in transport fares as announced by transport unions. Although these developments may not entirely address prevailing socioeconomic conditions in the country, we do believe strongly that they may offer a sigh of relief to Ghanaians especially as we approach the festive season. Certainly, there could not have been a better Christmas gift! On account of the cedi appreciation, reduction in fuel prices and transport fares, we appeal to all manufacturers and traders to also reduce prices of commodities to conform with this reality.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is public knowledge that during the recent socioeconomic upheavals, our political opponents particularly the NDC, tried without success to take advantage of the situation for underserving political mileage. The NDC and Mahama never missed any opportunity to lash out at government even though they knew that the challenges were mainly caused by external factors.

Indeed, this position was recently confirmed by the IMF, through its Managing Director, Kristalina Georgieva, who, on the September 5, 2022, at the Africa Adaptation Summit in The Netherlands, stated categorically that the economic challenges confronting  Ghana cannot be attributed to government’s policies but rather, exogenous shocks occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war. She added that but for these external factors, the Ghanaian economy would have remained strong and resilient.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is interesting that even the NDC’s John Dramani Mahama completely agrees with the NPP government and the IMF that the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine are the root causes of our current socioeconomic challenges. Except that, for John Mahama, he only makes this admission when he is addressing international audiences. However, he tells Ghanaians to blame the Akufo Addo government for all our economic woes and not COVID and the Russia-Ukraine war. How opportunistic!

We, in the NPP, do not shy away from our records, and are ready to debate our political opponents on any day. The Ghanaian people are the best judges. The Ghanaian people have not forgotten the records of John Mahama and the NDC. The Ghanaian people are very much aware of the fact that, during their tenure, even without any global economic crisis, the John Mahama-led NDC government was so overwhelmed by their own incompetence that they could not even keep the lights on, plunging this country into darkness for four years while destroying many livelihoods.

As we can all attest to, the ‘‘dumsor crisis’’ was fixed in the first year of the Akufo Addo administration. The NDC and Mahama could also not implement any social intervention programme to mitigate the suffering of Ghanaians. To make matters worse, the existing ones were either destroyed or cancelled by them. Mention can be made of the teacher trainee allowance, nursing trainee allowance among others.

But in our case, despite the lingering impacts of the global pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, resulting in the worst global socioeconomic crisis in more than 7 decades, the NPP government led by President Akufo-Addo, is still able to sustain its ambitious interventions such as the Free SHS, the One District One Factory (1D1F) initiative among others.

We have also been able to consistently pay salaries on time, and have undertaken unprecedented building of roads and railway infrastructure. Even more significantly, we have been able to keep the lights on. So the difference between us and the NDC is clear. The evidence shows clearly that even in the worst of times, we are better managers of the economy. 

THE NDC CONGRESS AND MATTERS ARISING

The NPP, first, extends a hearty congratulation to the newly elected National Executives of the NDC at the just ended 10^th National Annual Delegates Congress of the Party held at the Ohene Gyan Sports Stadium on December 17, 2022. We equally commend the NDC for holding their internal elections at the various levels.

Ladies and gentlemen, we all know that multiparty democracy is at the heart of every democratic society. It is the most significant measure of the strength of a country’s democratic tenets. If Ghana is to live up to its accolade as the bastion of democracy in Africa, it is imperative that we build a robust democracy that breaks new grounds and serves as blueprint for other countries in Africa and beyond.  

The NPP wants to contest the 2024 general elections with a resilient opposition, a united NDC, and not a disintegrated NDC, so they will have no excuse when we beat them in the elections. This is the reason why we wished the NDC well in their Congress.

CONDEMNATION OF VIOLENT CONDUCT

The NPP wishes to use this opportunity to reiterate its condemnation of the violence and hooliganism that characterized the build up to the National Congress of the NDC, and appeal to them to appreciate that violence should have no place in our body politic.

Much as the NPP agrees with former President John Mahama that the NDC is second to none when it comes to unleashing violence owing to their revolutionary background, we believe strongly that such reckless comments incited their party thugs and vigilantes to perpetrate the violence we witnessed in Cape Coast. We wish to use this occasion in the interest of the nation to admonish the Asiedu Nketiah-led National Executives to take steps to reform the NDC and get rid of the Party’s addiction to violence.

John Mahama was right then, and he is still right today, no political party can match their records when it comes to political violence. We, in the NPP can certainly not compete with the NDC in unleashing violence, and we do not intend to give this an attempt. It is thus an established fact that the NDC has no regard for the nation’s laws. They have no regard for our Criminal Code. They also have no regard for the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act. That is why they are still keeping their vigilante ‘thugs’, who they occasionally unleash to cause chaos in the country.  

It is not surprising that as we speak, the Ghana Police has declared as MOST WANTED, sixteen (16) thugs of the NDC for their violent conduct at the just ended Youth and Women Congress of the Party which was held in Cape Coast on Saturday December 10, 2022, and resulted in some of their thugs and supporters sustaining life-threatening injuries while several properties were destroyed. They virtually turned their congress into a war zone. We encourage members of the general public to assist the police with information that will lead to the arrest of these NDC vigilantes to make them face the full rigours of the law.

Following the public outrage and condemnation of the violence that marred the NDC’s congress at Cape Coast, many would have thought that the Party’s congress in Accra would be incident free. Rather, we witnessed the shocking physical assault of Madam Janet Nabila, General Secretary of the Peoples National Convention (PNC) by some vigilantes of the NDC, resulting in her hospitalisation. Her only crime was that she honoured an invitation extended to her Party by the NDC in line with existing inter-party courtesies where opposing parties are invited to deliver solidarity messages during such events.

DEMAND FOR APOLOGY FROM THE NDC FOR THEIR SELF-CONFESSED MISCHIEVOUS ELECTION PETITION

Ladies and gentlemen, the Ghanaian public would bare us witness to audios and videos on circulation in which Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, National Chairman of the NDC, admits that the leadership of the Party knew they had lost the 2020 General Elections, yet, still went ahead to deceive their supporters and lie to the Ghanaian people that the election was rigged. In pursuit of their clandestine agenda, the NDC, he said, went ahead to challenge the election results at the Supreme Court without a shred of evidence.

The NPP had hoped that the NDC would have used the occasion of their Congress to render an unqualified apology to the nation’s Judiciary and the good people of Ghana for such unpatriotic and disgraceful conduct, which portends a great danger to our democracy and stability of our dear country. Unfortunately, it never happened. Instead, they continued with their campaign of hate against the Judiciary, scandalizing and attacking the very integrity of our revered judges without any justification. This is indeed shameful.

It smacks of dishonesty for John Mahama and the NDC leadership to lie to their supporters that they won the 2020 elections and ask them to jubilate. In fact, the NDC supporters were virtually asked by their leaders to seek justice on the streets because the Electoral Commission had stolen the elections for the NPP. These supporters also blindly followed their leaders and went to town terrorizing innocent Ghanaians going about their normal business. Some of their supporters were so much incited that they had violent confrontations with State security personnel.

The conspiracy to destabilise the country was deeply rooted in the NDC that their Members of Parliament, led by Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, the Minority Leader, abandoned their work in Parliament and embarked on an illegal protest to the premises of the Electoral Commission to threaten the Electoral Commissioners.

In effect, the NDC had sought to take the entire nation to ransom for their electoral defeat. Undoubtedly, they wanted to make the country ungovernable. The NDC-induced unnecessary tension was intended to destabilise the country and scare investors, both of which have had adverse impacts on the Ghanaian economy till date.

After intense public opprobrium against their undemocratic and violent conduct, the NDC then decided belatedly, to challenge the outcome of the election by filing a presidential election petition at the Supreme Court even when Tsatsu Tsikata, their lawyer, had advised otherwise as admitted by Asiedu Nketiah. Undoubtedly, they deliberately wasted the Court’s time for months with their unmeritorious petition.

Even the media were not spared of the NDC’s unjustified attacks. As you would recall, reporters of Accra-based United Television (UTV), Citi Fm and other media houses were physically attacked for their coverage of the 2020 general elections and subsequently, the election petition.

We, therefore, wish to reiterate our demand for John Dramani Mahama and the NDC leadership, on account of their own confession, to render an unqualified apology, first, to the nation’s Judiciary, which they have bastardized without justification, and to the rest of the country for wasting everybody’s time and creating unnecessary tension in the aftermath of the 2020 general elections.

Of particular concern to us, is John Mahama’s condescending description of the respected justices of the Supreme Court, as “UNANIMOUS FC”. John Mahama forgets that it was the same Court that affirmed his electoral victory in 2013. Strangely, John Mahama and the NDC didn’t have any problem then. 

The leadership of the NPP has also taken notice of a comment passed by Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, National Chairman of the NDC, during his victory speech at the Party’s National Delegates Congress. To the shock of many Ghanaians, he boldly stated that the NDC is prepared to sacrifice everything including human lives to recapture power in 2024, an obvious threat to national peace and security.

On account of the foregoing, the NPP condemns strongly this nation-wrecking comment and implores other political watchers, the media, National Peace Council, Civil Society Organizations, National House of Chiefs, The Christian Council of Ghana, The Office of the National Chief Imam, the Diplomatic Community and indeed, all well-meaning Ghanaians to join us in demanding an unqualified apology from John Mahama, Asiedu Nketiah, and the NDC for their unpatriotic and disgraceful conducts, which portend a great danger to our democracy and the security of the State.

CONCLUSION

To conclude, the NPP warmly welcomes the new leadership of the NDC to the political table. As confirmed by their National Chairman, we appreciate their difficulty in collating election results over the years, and are willing to provide them with technical support in that regard. We are also ready to engage them on politics of issues, and NOT propaganda and deceit. We invite them to debate us on the records of good governance to enable the Ghanaian people make an informed decision in 2024.

Finally, we appeal to the Ghanaian populace to be patient and have confidence in the NPP government especially when its remedial interventions to socioeconomic conditions in the country are gradually yielding results. We may not be out of the woods yet but we are definitely on track to restoring our country to the path of sustained growth and prosperity.

On the anniversary of the birth of Christ, we would like to wish all Ghanaians a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year in advance.

May God bless our homeland Ghana and make the NPP greater and stronger.

He advised the elected members to adopt innovative ways to help the government focus on eradicating poverty, creating jobs and constructing more infrastructure in the country.

According to him, hard work, love, unity and grassrootd involvement, if entrenched, will help the party retain power in the upcoming general election.

Daasebre Akuamoah said this when a delegation of executives led by the National Chairman and General Secretary of NPP, Stephen Ntim and Justin Kodua respectively paid a courtesy call to his palace at Kwahu in the Eastern Region on Sunday, July 24.

Mr Ntim, on behalf of the delegates, expressed their gratitude to the chief for the immense support the government has received over the years.

He assured him of the party’s continuous effort to collaborate with traditional leaders to promote national development.

But in his first public reaction to that position by the 15 regional chairmen after he defeated incumbent John Boadu, Justin Kodua has said he is not “vindictive:’

“I have, therefore, forgiven all those who openly campaigned against me since it is not possible to get all people to support you in an election.”

He said all those declarations were part of the politics and therefore he cannot single out those who opposed him since it will be detrimental to his administration if he decides to go on that tangent.

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He said the trust reposed in him with his election as General Secretary for the next four years was indicative that he needed to have a forgiving heart and will not allow himself to be engulfed in matters that will not be progressive for the NPP.

“I need them [regional chairmen] more than they need me to be able to have a successful administration.”

He equally apologised if he may have said something that may have slighted some party members during the campaign and asked for forgiveness.

Led by the Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, 15 regional chairmen of the party with the exception of the Central Regional Chairman, Robert Kutin, they openly declared their support for a John Boadu re-election and urged party delegates to do same.

But after Saturday’s election, Kodua won with 43 percent as against Boadu’s 42 percent.

In a radio interview on Accra based Oman FM, Monday morning [July 18, 2022], monitored by Graphic Online, Kodua said he has already met with Chairman Wontumi on Sunday, together with some of the said 15 chairmen and they have had discussions about how they are going to work together.

Asked about the strategy he used to defeat John Boadu, who was tipped to retain the position, Kodua said the election was over and therefore campaign has ended and therefore he will not talk about that.

He said he has already spoken to John Boadu on telephone to congratulate him for the contest and would always consult him for counsel

He said he has also spoken to Dan Botwe as well as former General Secretary and yet to be able to get through to Kwabena Agyapong and Nana Ohene Ntow, all former General Secretaries since he would be consulting them for counsel.

The job has already started for me and I have already had a meeting with our new chairman, Stephen Ntim as well, he said.

In a statement to party members, he acknowledged their efforts and unflinching support to making the election campaign a success.

Touching on his priority as General Secretary, he urged all party members to work together in a bid to recapture lost parliamentary seats and secure another victory in 2024.

He also pledged to restructure the party in response to concerns raised by the grassroots during the campaign.

Mr Kodua will serve as the General Secretary of the party for the next four years after he polled 2,837 votes.

John Boadu, who was seeking re-election, trailed behind him with 2,524 votes at the Delegates Conference held at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday, July 16.

Read the full statement below:

Great men and women of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), l wish to express my profound appreciation and gratitude for the honour and responsibility bestowed on me, following my election as the General Secretary of the NPP.

I am by the same medium expressing my heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to my campaign team for their hard work, dedication, loyalty, vigilance and optimum commitment. I say a big thank you for making our collective dream a reality.

Reflecting on the just ended National Delegates Conference of the party, my biggest inspiration does not arise from my electoral victory but the lifetime memory that thousands of party executives and loyalists, journeyed several hours to the national capital, abandoning the comfort of their residential beds to stay awake and battle mosquitoes while voting on the night and dawn of the election. That, men and women more knowledgeable and with greater years of membership and service to the party, chose me as their General Secretary, inspires me further.

Guided by the Akan adage, “Nnam dodo) nsei nkwan”, to wit, varieties of meat do not compromise the delicacy of a soup, l promise to be General Secretary for all members of our dear party; bringing on board, the old and young, rich and poor, and harnessing their collective ideas and energies in the party’s quest to winning a historic third consecutive general election (breaking the eight).

I pledge to work together with other elected executives to restructure the party in response to concerns raised by the grassroots during our campaign engagements. Greater emphasis would be placed on accommodating and resourcing the party’s youth and women and make them indispensable stakeholders for current and future endeavors.

Like the five fingers of the human hand, we can best function when we work together. I therefore, entreat all and sundry to put on their boots and reach out to the nooks and crannies of the country in our bid to recapture lost parliamentary seats and secure another victory in 2024.

I salute all contestants for their bravery and tenacity. Indeed, the journey across the country was no easy task. More importantly, there are no losers and winners in the dictionary of the NPP as we remain the offsprings of a single womb.

Let us, therefore, put aside the little differences that arose during the campaign and electioneering period, work together and make history in 2024.

May God bless our homeland Ghana and make the NPP great and strong.

Signed

Justin Frimpong Kodua

General Secretary, New Patriotic Party.

According to him, he is older than many influential persons holding key position in government.

“Ghana’s Constitution allows you to contest for the presidency at age 40 and I will turn 40 in November meaning I qualify so how much more an NPP Secretary Dan Botwe who is one of the best secretaries NPP has had was elected at age 39. France President, Emmanuel Macron was elected at 38 and he is doing well,” he said on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem show.

Mr Kodua who is currently the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Youth Employment Authority (YEA) said age is just a number.

“I am my own man, and I am coming with my own experiences and professional training. I have held several positions at various levels in NPP and this wouldn’t be my first. I have read the Constitution and know what is required of me,” he added.

Mr Kodua faces stiff opposition from compatriots including the incumbent, John Boadu, the Western Regional Secretary, Charles Bissue, former Tema West East MP, Daniel Nii Kwatei Titus-Glover and former Member of Parliament for Suhum, Frederick Opare-Ansah.

According to him, he is the best bet for the ruling party to break the eight and be retained in power.

Mr. Kodua who is currently the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) made these remarks on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Wednesday.

He revealed that, his motivation is to work to retain the NPP in power.

“My coming into the General Secretary race is not a personal issue. It is about the collective interest of the party which is breaking the 8. We need a change with the position and I fit the bill” he said.

Justin Kodua faces stiff opposition from compatriots including incumbent, John Boadu, the Western Regional Secretary, Charles Bissue, and former Tema West East MP, Daniel Nii Kwatei Titus-Glover.

Mr Kodua believes the fair was a step in the right direction and will bring about a tremendous change with regards to the youth unemployment situation in the country.

“There were 5,701 job seekers with about 100 companies so there were a lot of vacancies, especially with the insurance and banking firms.

“So as at now, about 50 people have gained jobs with Prudential Insurance while others are also going through interviews in several companies,” he stated.

The outfit held a two-day fair which came off on Thursday, September 9, and Friday, September 10, 2021, at the Accra International Conference Centre.

Job seekers were assured of live interview sessions towards getting instant employment by some participating companies.

This caused many Ghanaian youth to troop to the venue leading to a stampede.

Reacting to the development on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr Kodua said he was not in any way surprised by the massive turnout their maiden career fair witnessed.

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According to him, such situations are expected in a developing country like Ghana and most importantly as the number of graduates churned out increases annually.

“The programme was to start at 9:00 am but I am sure people thought a first-come-first-serve module will be used. So as early as 5:00 am, people were already present long before the recruitment urgencies arrived,” he explained.

With similar events expected to take place in Ho, Koforidua, Takoradi, Kumasi, Sunyani, and other parts of the country in the coming days, he said measures will be put in place to avert reoccurrences.

The fair is a two-day event scheduled for Thursday, September 9, and Friday, September 10, 2021, at the Accra International Conference Centre.

The Chief Executive Officer of YEA, Justin Kodua, speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen noted about 5,000 people are expected to apply for the event.

“It is the duty of YEA to help the youth find jobs. We have done some good works but more needs to be done so I will encourage the youth to take full advantage of the many career and networking opportunities that the Career Fair presents,” he urged.

He announced about 70 companies have already expressed interest and registered for the fair and are willing to offer instant jobs to participants on the scheduled date.

Mr Kodua stated that there will be live interview sessions for job seekers towards getting employed by some participating companies.

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He explained it will be held in strict adherence to the covid-19 safety protocols with maximum police protection assured.

Meanwhile, similar events are expected to take place in Ho, Koforidua, Takoradi, Kumasi, Sunyani, and other parts of the country in the coming days.