At a recent event organized by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in her honor, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, the former Minister for Communications and Member of Parliament for Ablekuma West, delivered a powerful and contentious speech in defense of outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo.
Her comments indirectly validated Kennedy Agyapong’s long-standing critiques of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s leadership within the party. The speech, made at a gathering of party supporters, has sparked renewed discussions about the NPP’s defeat in the 2024 general elections and its future direction.
Owusu-Ekuful criticized those blaming Akufo-Addo for the party’s loss to the National Democratic Congress (NDC), labeling such accusations as unjust. She reminded the audience of the President’s crucial role in keeping the NPP afloat during both opposition and governance for 16 years. Highlighting his unwavering support, she pointed out his personal financial sacrifices, including monthly stipends for party offices nationwide and additional financial support for Members of Parliament. “This is the man who funded our structures, created jobs, built infrastructure, and protected democracy. And now, you call him a villain?” she challenged, echoing Agyapong’s frustrations.
Her remarks subtly aligned with Agyapong’s earlier warnings about disloyalty within the NPP and Bawumia’s inability to connect with the grassroots. Agyapong, who contested Bawumia in the 2023 primaries, had predicted voter apathy—an outcome reflected in reports suggesting that over two million party supporters stayed home during the 2024 elections, according to Ernest Owusu-Bempah. Owusu-Ekuful implied that internal divisions had shattered Akufo-Addo’s hopes of passing the torch to another NPP president.
Looking forward, she raised the question of whether the party truly valued loyalty and service, warning that continued finger-pointing and division could threaten unity. With Agyapong present and applauding her speech, her words may signal a defining moment in shaping the NPP’s future and cohesion.