Former President Kufuor attributes NPP 2024 defeat to key policy failures under Akufo-Addo administration

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has attributed the 2024 election defeat of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to a series of “key policy failures” under the administration of Nana Akufo-Addo. In remarks made on 7 December 2025, he urged the party to reflect critically on governance missteps that he says cost them public trust and support at the polls.

According to Mr. Kufuor, mismanagement of the economy, rising cost of living, and unpopular reforms are among the main reasons NPP lost its hold on power. He argued that voters punished the party for decisions that seemed disconnected from socioeconomic realities facing ordinary Ghanaians.

The former president pointed to issues such as inflation, power and utility cost hikes, debt burden, and currency instability, all of which he says undermined public confidence. He suggested these factors overshadowed any achievements the government touted, and left many citizens feeling economically insecure.

Mr. Kufuor also stressed that perceived policy inconsistency and lack of effective communication with the electorate deepened public disillusionment. He described the loss as a wake-up call for NPP to return to grassroots engagement, prioritize stable livelihoods for Ghanaians, and rebuild trust through better governance.

The comments have reopened internal debates within the NPP about the direction of the party and the lessons to draw from the defeat. Some party members view the former president’s assessment as fair, arguing that governance, not just campaigning, determines electoral outcomes. Others caution that assigning blame may discourage unity ahead of future elections.

Political analysts say Kufuor’s critique could force NPP to re-evaluate its policy platforms, perhaps leading to internal reforms or strategic repositioning. With Ghana under a new administration, the former president’s pronouncements will likely influence how the opposition party outlines its path forward.

Regardless of internal reactions, Kufuor’s comments suggest that 2024’s election outcome was not simply about power change, but a referendum on policy performance, economic hardship, and public trust in governance.