Copyright ghanaguardian
A group of constituency youth organizers and their deputies from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ashanti Region has issued a strong rebuttal to claims made by the former Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, who recently blamed former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for the party’s defeat in the 2024 general elections. At a press conference in Kumasi, 62 out of 94 constituency youth organizers and 34 out of 46 deputy and former youth organizers jointly declared their “unflinching support” for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, describing Dr. Acheampong’s remarks as “misguided, unfair, and a deliberate attempt to shift blame.” The youth leaders asserted that the party’s defeat stemmed not from Dr. Bawumia’s leadership or campaign performance, but from a series of scandals, internal divisions, and public mistrust created by certain senior officials within the NPP government. The organizers accused Bryan Acheampong and other party elites of deflecting responsibility for the actions and controversies that significantly eroded public confidence in the ruling party. They cited the “SSNIT Hotel saga,” in which Acheampong was accused of attempting to acquire state assets under questionable circumstances, as one of the major scandals that damaged the NPP’s reputation ahead of the 2024 polls. According to the youth organizers, the incident symbolized “a party captured by a privileged few who sought to use political power for personal enrichment.” They added that this perception alienated many ordinary Ghanaians and contributed to the NPP’s loss, particularly among public sector workers. “Millions of contributors to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) felt betrayed by the attempted sale of a state-owned hotel to a sitting minister,” their statement read. “This singular issue disillusioned more than 1.7 million public servants who either stayed away from voting or actively campaigned against the NPP during the 2024 elections.” The youth group further alleged that during the campaign season, instead of focusing on communicating the government’s achievements and the Vice President’s economic initiatives, much of the party’s communication machinery was consumed with defending scandals involving high-profile ministers. They argued that these distractions weakened the campaign and overshadowed Dr. Bawumia’s policy message. The statement also accused Bryan Acheampong of showing “no remorse or accountability” even after the controversy drew widespread condemnation from civil society organizations, trade unions, and sections of the NPP itself. The organizers insisted that attempts by senior party members to lay the blame for the electoral defeat solely at Dr. Bawumia’s feet were “divisive and dishonest.” “We consider this a palpable lie,” the statement continued. “As youth organizers committed to the future of our party, we will not allow the distortion of facts or scapegoating of Dr. Bawumia, who worked tirelessly for the NPP both in government and in opposition.” The group reaffirmed their loyalty to Dr. Bawumia, describing him as the “best hope” to rebuild unity and restore the NPP’s credibility ahead of the 2028 elections. They also called on the party’s leadership to focus on reconciliation and introspection rather than internal blame games. However, in a swift response, the Bryan Acheampong Presidential Campaign Office dismissed the claims made by the Ashanti NPP youth group as “baseless and provocative.” In a statement signed by the campaign’s Communications Directorate on October 28, 2025, the team alleged that the youth group’s press conference included “names of unwilling individuals—and even a deceased person—as signatories.” The campaign noted that out of respect for party unity and following a recent reconciliation meeting with former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Bryan Acheampong would not respond in kind. “We will not dignify these provocations with a response,” the statement said. “Our focus remains on engaging delegates with respect, advancing ideas that strengthen the NPP, and preparing the party for a decisive victory in 2028.”
