NPP, How Did We Get Here? Asks Professor Frimpong-Boateng.

This morning, I awoke to a deluge of calls and texts from friends, acquaintances, and several NPP supporters. The only reason for these distress calls is to express outrage after an attack on a media outlet, UTV, by several thugs who have now been identified as NPP members. According to what I hear, this attack was carried out on a live broadcast that was airing late at night because the attackers believed the program's content to be critical of the NPP. After viewing numerous videos of the events and reading the Ministry of Information's and the party's replies, I have only one unanswered question: NPP, HOW DID WE GET HERE? A key message that President Kufuor conveyed during his campaign to win the NPP's first elections in the year 2000 resonated with Ghanaians and people all over the world: the NPP offered hope for the protection of the rule of law, press freedom, and respect for human rights. People like myself were compelled to remain party members by this message's foundation in the party's doctrine. Various measures were taken by President Kufuor to guarantee the media received I find it strange that a tradition whose followers have long been known to value free speech and the rule of law would have them attack a media organization. These thugs may have drawn inspiration from the way the government and the party permitted impunity to flourish and spread within the NPP. If I remember correctly, when comparable groups went to the Ashanti region's seat of government and attacked the then-national security coordinator, no one was allowed to be prosecuted. When these brutes invaded a court in Kumasi, forcing the female judge hearing the case to flee for her life in full view of the public, no one was made to face the law once more. Many people have come to assume that either party officials have lost moral control over the organization or that they have something to gain from these heinous actions. NPP, how did we get here, is what I question. I'm also astounded by how some NPP members go about their everyday business as if they are unaware of the general sentiment in Ghana and the probable peril that the party faces in the near future. Even if we do everything properly from now, renowned and reliable experts have indicated that given the terrible and nearly hopeless situation of the national economy, it may take Ghana at least 30 years to see any sort of recovery. We are informed by other educated economists who share the same level of credibility that they are unaware of any nation that has recovered from the kind of depression the NPP has caused. I've been informed that the year 2024 will be economically unstable. The government seems to have given up on tackling the issues at hand, acting as if its work was done and Ghanaians should wait for the next administration to deal with the multitude of issues the nation is currently experiencing. HOW DID WE GET HERE, NPP? The NPP's current structure bears no similarity to the tradition that inspired it. On a personal level, I don't see what I have in common with some of the individuals in positions of political responsibility, those managing party operations, and even those professing to be party elders. HOW DID WE GET HERE, NPP? I had always thought that the New Patriotic Party was the only significant political party in Ghana whose guiding principles were founded on the rule of law, respect for one's individual rights, opinions, and dignity, basic human rights, pluralism, and most importantly, the separation of powers. As far as I'm aware, the NPP tradition does not hold that political power should be given to one person, a group of people, and their family, friends, and concubines. God grants humans the essential rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, hence the term "fundamental rights." They aren't gifts from a kind government. Therefore, anyone or any system that violates these rights commits a sin against God and is unfit to reign. When in power, a political system that upholds the rights of individual citizens and works for their welfare and prosperity oversees their actual socioeconomic progress and prosperity. Present-day events in Ghana seem to be the contrary. HOW DID WE GET HERE, NPP? According to me, every political system with despotic roots or despotic behaviors violates the dictates of nature and the God of nature. Any congenital or acquired tyrant, dictator, or despot who simultaneously assumes the roles of lawmaker, judge, and monarch becomes a god unto himself and essentially disregards the authority of the Almighty God. In opposition for around eight years, the NPP was bankrupt. It established a Mobile Money (MOMO) account and urged its supporters and members to contribute "bits and pieces" to the party's election campaign. The fight against corruption was a key campaign promise made by the party, which went on to win the elections and establish the current administration. Now, it seems that some members of the party and the administration are so wealthy that they can no longer recall where we were eight years ago and are paying voters billions of Cedis to cast their ballots for a particular candidate in internal party elections. HOW DID WE GET HERE, NPP? Some individuals who call themselves party stalwarts don't hold any elected office or a role in the party hierarchy. They appear to have so much influence that one of them is referred to as the nation's "de facto Prime Minister." Evidently, they have the power to influence appointments to important posts in society for their favorites and closest associates. They also have a propensity to disregard Ghanaians and make their lives unpleasant. This isn't the NPP that we're used to. HOW DID WE GET HERE, NPP? A version of "family, friends, and concubines government" is being provided for us, and bribery and intimidation are being used to control the press rather than physical force. At the same time as official institutions are being weaponized to stifle progressive views, patronized corruption is allowed to flourish. We are witnessing unprecedented intimidation, economic regress, and silent suffering rather than the advancement of freedom. HOW DID WE GET HERE, NPP? Even worse, the "NPP establishment" is actively endorsing a presidential candidate who, in my opinion, is the most frail and has the most baggage of any of the contenders. It's like looking for a problem when you already know the solution. NPP, HOW DID WE GET HERE? By: Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng Other stories I’ve already divided my assets among my 22 wives and children. Kennedy Agyepong Chairman Wontumi is a coward, therefore I won’t waste my time on him. Agyapong Kennedy As a churchgoer who calls him “daddy” takes his wife, the pastor rushes to court. Napoli’s agent threatens Victor Osimhen with legal action after they call him a “coconut” and tease him about a penalty miss. 4 things to know about the NPP member Kwame A Plus intends to unseat