Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has called on members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to seize the moment of post-election defeat as a springboard for unity, reform, and generational transformation.
Delivering his message through former Chief of Staff Madam Akosua Frema Osei-Opare at the party’s National Annual Delegates Conference on Saturday, July 19, at the University of Ghana, Akufo-Addo thanked the party for its unwavering support throughout his presidency and urged members to recommit themselves to the enduring ideals of the NPP.
“It was a great privilege to serve in that capacity on the ticket of our ever capable New Patriotic Party,” he said. “We have, through it all, demonstrated the resilience of our rank and file against challenges and shown without doubt, as our records have proven, that it is always only under the New Patriotic government that Ghana thrives.”
Confronting the party’s post-2024 election setback, Akufo-Addo acknowledged the deep sense of disappointment but insisted that the NPP must not allow defeat to fracture its spirit. Instead, he urged the party to use the current period for serious introspection and renewal.
“Whilst our present situation has been necessitated by circumstances we cannot ignore, I am optimistic that through dialogue, mutual understanding, strong commitment to our principles and values, we can rebuild the bridges and restore the unity that has always been our strength,” he affirmed.
He emphasized the need for inclusive leadership and reconciliation, reminding the party that it must behave like a true political family, capable of healing wounds and bringing all factions together under a shared banner.
“We must find ways to reconcile differences and ensure that every member has a place at the table and is up and ready to be counted.”
In a clear call for generational transition, Akufo-Addo urged the party to place its trust in the talents and energy of its younger members, positioning them not as future leaders, but as the driving force of the present.
“They are no more the future. They are the present. Their energy, innovation and resilience must be the driving forces behind our progress on this rebuilding journey,” he declared, pointing to the Patriotic Institute as one of the key tools to empower this transformation.
The former president also called for bold institutional reform, arguing that certain structures within the party had become obsolete and must be revisited to meet the demands of modern governance and political competition.
“Our efforts must be all inclusive. That is why structures or laws grounded in a bygone era, which notably do not reflect the realities and aspirations of our contemporary existence, must be opened up and critically examined to allow for proper reforms.”
He reaffirmed his allegiance to the party’s ideological roots, but warned that without credible conduct and internal discipline, the party risks alienating the electorate.
“We must continue to stand firm and united behind the eternally forthright ideals and principles of the Dankwa-Dombo-Busia political tradition, which has proven the most suited political tradition on our Ghanaian market,” he said. “Our conduct throughout this period will either reinforce the confidence of the Ghanaian people in the NPP or draw them away from us.”
He concluded with a rallying call for unity and resolve: “Let us make room for belief to replace doubt… For it was out of nothing that our illustrious forebears found purpose in a melting pot of seemingly small forms to bear what has over the years transformed into the formidable political ticket we have in the NPP.”
The 2025 National Delegates Conference marks a defining moment for the NPP, as the party navigates a path of recovery and seeks to rebuild its base and public confidence ahead of the 2028 general elections.
