Frank Agyekum, spokesperson for former President John Agyekum Kufuor, has attributed the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) defeat in the 2024 general elections to leadership failings under President Akufo-Addo.

The NPP lost the election to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) by a margin of over 1.6 million votes, marking a significant shift in the political landscape.

Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show, Mr. Agyekum explained that public discontent with the party and perceived arrogance from some members pushed supporters away. He also pointed to the imposition of unpopular candidates on constituencies as a major factor in the loss.

“The signs were there, and the narrative shows that things have been falling apart for a long time. We failed to heed the warnings and take corrective actions, and that’s what has led us here,” he said.

Mr. Agyekum did not mince words about the ultimate responsibility resting on the party’s leader.

“The leader always bears the ultimate responsibility—it stops with him. When it’s good, we credit him; when it’s bad, he must share the blame,” he stated.

He was critical of the choices made for both the presidential and parliamentary candidates, describing them as less than ideal.

“There was arrogance, there was hardship in the system, and it seemed those in power failed to fully recognize the discontent. This disconnect between the leadership and the grassroots likely contributed to the significant defeat,” he added.