A fresh rift has emerged within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as internal tensions escalate following remarks by Dr. Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, a former government spokesperson on governance and security, targeting the party’s 2024 flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
Boakye-Danquah criticized Dr. Bawumia for comments made during his nationwide thank-you tour, accusing the Vice President of distancing himself from the shortcomings of the Akufo-Addo administration. Dr. Bawumia had cited several issues he believed led to the party’s electoral setback, including the arrogance of power, rising cost of living, failure to reshuffle key government appointees, the controversial E-Levy, and the unpopular “haircut” policy tied to the IMF bailout process.
Reacting sharply, Eric Twum, a member of the NPP communications team, took exception to Boakye-Danquah’s remarks, describing them as misguided and divisive. According to Twum, it is not only unfair but also politically shortsighted to suggest that Dr. Bawumia, as Vice President, bears equal responsibility for decisions he did not directly control.
Twum defended Bawumia’s candor during the tour, saying his willingness to reflect on the party’s missteps showed leadership, not betrayal. He cautioned against public infighting, warning that such actions only serve the opposition and weaken party cohesion ahead of the next election cycle.
The clash underscores growing tensions within the NPP as the party recalibrates after a bruising electoral defeat, with differing views on accountability and the path forward threatening to widen existing cracks.
“For me, this is a bit more upsetting. I was quite upset that Nana Akomea, who is my mentor, responded to Palgrave because where did this Palgrave boy come from? When we were in the trenches, where was he? That is what is upsetting.
“Where did he come from that he had the audacity and the effrontery to say these things? I am very sad that Nana Akomea responded to him. He should have allowed some of us to respond to him,” Twum stated.