AFFA Attributes NPP’s ‘Embarrassing’ Election 2024 Defeat to Akufo-Addo

The Alliance for Footsoldiers Advocacy (AFFA), a group aligned with the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has blamed President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the party’s humiliating defeat in the 2024 general elections.

In a statement issued on Monday, December 16, AFFA and sighted by Plan B News, the group said the election outcome reflected widespread discontent with President Akufo-Addo’s leadership.

“Dr. Bawumia is just a victim of circumstance, who, unfortunately, became the unintended casualty of the bottled anger of the masses,” the group stated.

AFFA highlighted several key decisions by President Akufo-Addo that they believe contributed to the party’s defeat, including his refusal to dismiss Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta when Ghana’s economy faced significant challenges in 2022.

“President Akufo-Addo’s reluctance and/or refusal to dismiss his cousin Ken Ofori-Atta as Finance Minister…was the straw that broke the camel’s back,” the statement said.

The group also pointed to other unpopular policies, such as the implementation of the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP), E-Levy, Betting Tax, and the National Cathedral project, as factors that provoked voters.

AFFA also criticized the President for failing to reshuffle his appointees throughout his eight-year tenure.

“How the President could keep virtually all his appointees…in the same portfolio for 8 years (with micro reshuffle) begs belief,” they lamented.

The statement further alleged that footsoldiers were neglected during President Akufo-Addo’s administration while he prioritized “a handful of praise-singers.”

According to AFFA, the disconnect between the party’s headquarters at Asylum Down and the presidency at Jubilee House undermined the NPP’s unity.

Calling the election results “a revolt against the intransigence of President Akufo-Addo,” AFFA urged the NPP to reorganize at all levels to prepare for the 2028 elections.

“It is time to restructure our party…and come back forcefully in 2028. We can’t fail the masses!” the group emphasized.