Kufuor blames key Akufo-Addo policies for NPP’s 2024 defeat

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has criticised the Akufo-Addo administration, saying several major policy decisions played a significant role in the New Patriotic Party’s defeat in the 2024 general elections.

Speaking on The Delay Show, Mr Kufuor said he struggled to understand the rationale behind some flagship initiatives, including the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP), the National Cathedral project and the Power Distribution Services (PDS) deal, adding that he was not consulted on any of them.

According to him, the NPP’s return to power in 2016 was largely built on the record and accomplishments of his own administration.

“Before the 2016 election in which Akufo-Addo won, the campaign was anchored on my achievements,” he said, noting that those successes were instrumental in securing victory. He added that while the government started well, the direction of governance later became troubling.

Mr Kufuor explained that his concerns deepened after the COVID-19 pandemic, when several policy choices appeared unclear to him.

“After COVID-19, I could not understand some of the decisions taken, especially those relating to the bond market, PDS and the National Cathedral project, which remains unfinished,” he stated.

The former President was particularly critical of the National Cathedral initiative, expressing concern over the demolition of state-owned properties to make way for the project. He lamented that residential apartments for judges and other public officials were torn down, yet the cathedral has still not been completed.

“I was not consulted because I was not part of Cabinet. I only saw the construction work. Judges’ bungalows and other apartments were demolished for the National Cathedral, but up to now it is unfinished,” he said.

Reflecting on the NPP’s electoral trajectory, Mr Kufuor pointed to what he described as a steady decline in the party’s fortunes over three election cycles.

“We won in 2016 by a landslide. In 2020, the elections were very tight and resulted in a hung Parliament. The 2024 elections were something entirely different,” he noted.

He said the trend serves as a reminder that the Ghanaian electorate should never be taken for granted, urging politicians to be more mindful of their decisions and conduct in office.