Former Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has admitted that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s presidential campaign lacked the expected energy and enthusiasm, which contributed to the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) poor performance in the 2024 elections.
Speaking in an interview with Nhyira FM, the chairman of the NPP’s manifesto committee reflected on the campaign and its struggles, particularly in the Ashanti Region.
He noted that Bawumia’s rallies failed to generate the large and passionate crowds that had characterised previous NPP campaigns, signalling a growing disconnect between the party and the electorate.
Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu revealed that he had foreseen the challenges ahead for the NPP, as voter enthusiasm was significantly lower than in past elections.
“I started seeing signs that the election would not be easy, but we still had hope for a better outcome,” he said. “Had the election been held in August, Bawumia might have only secured about 30% of the vote against John Mahama due to the severe economic hardships at the time. However, by December, economic conditions had improved slightly, helping him recover some support.”
Dr. Bawumia ultimately secured 4,877,611 votes (41.75%), while John Mahama won with 6,591,790 votes (56.42%).
The former majority leader linked the party’s electoral struggles to economic hardships, which he said eroded public confidence in the government.
He also cited concerns about President Akufo-Addo’s leadership style, which was viewed as rigid and exclusionary.
According to Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II had warned Akufo-Addo in 2017 that hunger and anger had contributed to the downfall of John Mahama’s government in 2016.
He said the same fate awaited the NPP if similar conditions prevailed.
“Unfortunately, that warning was not heeded, and we faced the consequences,” he remarked.
He also addressed concerns that Bawumia was too closely associated with Akufo-Addo, which affected his ability to project himself as an independent leader.
Regarding Bawumia’s prospects as the party’s leader, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said this would depend on feedback from across the country.
“So far, in the Ashanti Region, respondents have not blamed his religion or ethnicity for the party’s loss. However, we are still awaiting responses from the other regions. The consensus from these findings will help shape our path forward.”
He also defended Dr. Matthew Opoku-Prempeh’s selection as Bawumia’s running mate, explaining that he was chosen to balance internal party factions and offer continuity in leadership. However, he acknowledged that Opoku-Prempeh’s presence on the ticket did not generate the expected youth support.
With the NPP now in opposition, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu stressed the need for introspection, urging the party to reconnect with the grassroots and address the concerns of its supporters before the next election cycle.
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