Dr. Asah Asante, a political scientist at the University of Ghana, has warned that the New Patriotic Party (NPP)’s democratic ideals are in danger if it suppresses dissent inside its ranks.
On March 23, 2025, Dr. Asante spoke on JoyNews in response to a recent edict from the NPP leadership telling members not to make public remarks that would incite dissension within the party.
He stated that although the party has the authority to establish guidelines for member behavior, such guidelines must be enforced equitably and consistently.
“That the NPP issued such a guideline is not unexpected. Rules are established to govern behavior, and violations are dealt with in any democracy. Therefore, the party’s behavior is not surprising,” Dr. Asante stated.
However, he characterized the choice to single out Sarah Adwoa Safo, the Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya, as unjust and discriminating.
She has been speaking out for months, but the party has just recently taken action. Even worse, people like General Secretary Justin Kodua openly and unapologetically criticized the party’s 2024 loss. He said, “Why single her out?”
According to Dr. Asante, the party’s loss in the general elections of 2024 was a reflection of popular dissatisfaction, particularly among its base of support. He thinks that ignoring criticism rather than resolving issues would merely widen already existing gaps.
The NPP lost in 2024 as a result of disenchantment at the grassroots level. The leadership is now intimidating members rather than listening. This might lead to more estrangement. He pointed out that a powerful party accepts criticism, grows from it, and adjusts.
Additionally, he questioned the legitimacy of the party’s fact-finding commission, which was headed by Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, a former Speaker of Parliament. Dr. Asante raised concerns about impartiality by pointing out that the professor’s son had run for and lost the Dome-Kwabenya seat, which is held by MP Adwoa Safo.
“The committee’s neutrality is essential to its credibility. It raises concerns if its chairman has political baggage. He stated that the NPP ought to have chosen an impartial person to head this investigation.
He did, however, add that if the committee’s conclusions are open and supported by solid data, their work may still be useful.
Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, a statesman and founding member of the NPP, also spoke on the show. He criticized the party’s leadership, saying they had betrayed the democratic underpinnings of the party.
“This leadership is morally bankrupt! Free expression is ingrained in the NPP, which was founded on democracy. He asserted that Adwoa Safo had every right to speak.
Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe characterized the party’s tactics as intimidation, claiming that each member of the NPP has the constitutional right to voice their opinions.
“They will reveal their fear of the truth if they punish her,” he continued.
He insisted that internal manipulation, bribery during internal elections, and a lack of moral character among the present leadership are the root causes of the party’s issues, which extend beyond individual members.
“The party will continue to lose unless we go back to selfless leadership. In 2024, we were rejected by Ghanaians. 2028 will be worse if we don’t make any changes, Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe stated.
He urged the existing leaders to resign so that the party may be rebuilt by those who continue to adhere to the principles upon which the NPP was established.
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