Former Government Spokesperson on Governance and Security, Dr. Palgrave Boakye Danquah, has pointed directly at former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as the reason behind the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) crushing defeat in the 2024 general elections.
In an interview on Accra 100.5 FM’s Ghana Yensom morning show with Otafrigya Kaayire Kwesi Apea-Apreku on Thursday, June 12, 2025, Dr. Boakye Danquah did not mince words in his criticism of the former flagbearer, whom he described as having failed spectacularly to rally the party and win national support.
Dr. Boakye Danquah, who now serves as a leading member of the “Ken for President 2028” campaign, argued that Bawumia’s leadership was ineffective and uninspiring, especially in contrast to his predecessor, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
“Dr. Bawumia has proven beyond reasonable doubt that he cannot win elections for the NPP,” he said.
He pointed to the magnitude of the NPP’s loss, citing former President John Dramani Mahama’s landslide victory, which came with a margin of over two million votes.
According to Dr. Boakye Danquah, this was a clear signal that Bawumia lacked the charisma and voter confidence required to lead the NPP to national victory.
“Unlike former President Akufo-Addo, who, after narrowly losing in 2008, maintained his momentum and eventually won in 2016, Dr. Bawumia failed to build on the gains handed over to him by Nana Addo’s administration,” he stated.
While acknowledging Bawumia’s support within the party’s core base, Dr. Boakye Danquah said that internal popularity does not automatically translate to national electability. He stressed that effective presidential candidates must have the ability to unite both their party and the broader electorate.
“To win an election, you must be loved by both your party base and the general population,” he emphasised. “Unfortunately, that balance is missing in the case of the former Vice President.”
His remarks add to growing internal debate within the NPP about the future of the party and the direction it should take as it prepares for the 2028 elections.
