Eugene Boakye Antwi, Member of Parliament for Subin, has strongly criticized the decision to retain Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta in office, attributing it as a key factor in the ruling New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) loss in the 2022 General Election.
In a recent statement, Antwi explained that the party’s failure to act on calls for Ofori-Atta’s removal, despite widespread public outcry over his handling of the economy, alienated voters and led to widespread apathy.
According to Antwi, a group of 90 NPP MPs had urged President Akufo-Addo to relieve Ofori-Atta of his duties, citing his mismanagement of the nation’s finances. However, the finance minister remained in office until February 2024, which, Antwi believes, contributed to the erosion of voter confidence in the NPP.
“Keeping Ken Ofori-Atta at the post until February 2024 meant that we were not listening to the very people who voted for us, and therefore, we didn’t deserve their vote in 2024,” Antwi said. “The electorate has punished us severely and taught the NPP a bitter lesson.”
Antwi highlighted the significant voter apathy observed during the elections, noting that nearly a third of registered voters – approximately 6 million people – chose not to visit their polling stations to vote. This, he suggests, is a direct consequence of the government’s failure to address the economic hardships many Ghanaians face under Ofori-Atta’s stewardship.
“Almost a third of registered voters did not visit their polling stations to vote due to apathy. This is a stark reminder that leadership must be responsive to the people’s needs, or else they will simply disengage from the political process,” he added.
The statement comes amid growing dissatisfaction within the NPP ranks and calls for a review of its leadership before the 2024 elections.
Antwi’s remarks underscore the growing rift between party leadership and the electorate. Many question whether the NPP can recover from its recent losses and regain the trust of the Ghanaian people.
