Former Deputy General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Lawyer Obiri Boahen, has admitted that the controversial “family and friends” style of governance was present in the party’s administration and significantly impacted its internal unity.
Speaking in a telephone interview on Radio XYZ, Obiri Boahen revealed that the issue was not new and had long been a source of concern within the party. He pointed to an instance when 88 Members of Parliament from the Majority side demanded the removal of Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, but their calls were ignored until nationwide pressure mounted.
“The MPs visit their constituencies and bring the grievances of their people, but if the national executives don’t listen, it weakens the party base,” he explained. According to him, the dominance of close associates in key government positions led to divisions within the party and alienated grassroots supporters. He also disclosed that when he personally voiced concerns about the issue, he was met with insults from within the party’s leadership.
“They said I talk too much and that governance is not done with too much talking. The person who said those words is the PR to the National Chairman. He insulted me for complaining and said I was making noise,” he recounted. His remarks add to growing concerns about internal challenges that may have contributed to the NPP’s poor performance in the 2024 general elections. Many analysts believe these divisions played a role in the party’s defeat, sparking debates on the need for restructuring ahead of future elections.
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