Ex-Minister Questions Dr. Bawumia's Commitment to the NPP, Criticizes Party's Direction

Former Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, has cast doubts on Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia's emotional connection to the New Patriotic Party (NPP). He alleges that Dr. Bawumia's association with the party was not deeply rooted, as his initial selection as running mate in 2008 faced significant opposition within the NPP leadership.

“Dr. Bawumia is a very nice person, but I don’t see him as someone who has an emotional attachment to the NPP,” Prof. Frimpong-Boateng stated in an interview with JoyNews. He highlighted that many senior members of the NPP, including former President John Agyekum Kufuor, had resisted Dr. Bawumia's nomination at the time, as he was not a party member.

Despite being hailed as an economic expert during his early political career, Prof. Frimpong-Boateng expressed disappointment in Dr. Bawumia’s ability to meet the expectations of many Ghanaians. "Those expectations have not been fulfilled," he remarked, suggesting that Dr. Bawumia’s reputation as an "economic wizkid" had not translated into tangible results.

Additionally, Prof. Frimpong-Boateng criticized the internal processes that led to Dr. Bawumia’s selection as the NPP’s flagbearer for the upcoming elections. He accused party leadership of employing undue influence on delegates during the decision-making process. “Delegates who were weak had their arms twisted, those who were fearful were intimidated, and those who were corrupt were bribed to vote for Dr. Bawumia,” he alleged, painting a picture of coercion and manipulation within the party.

Reflecting on the broader state of the NPP, Prof. Frimpong-Boateng lamented what he described as a decline in the party's values and unity. He characterized the NPP as disjointed and fragmented, diverging significantly from the principled organization he once admired. “The NPP I was proud to be part of upheld the rule of law and the separation of powers,” he said, suggesting these core principles are no longer evident in the party's operations.

Prof. Frimpong-Boateng also revealed personal grievances with the party, stemming from his fallout with four NPP members implicated in his report on environmental violations. He noted that these individuals launched legal actions against him, further distancing him from the party he once cherished.

As the NPP navigates its internal challenges and prepares for the 2024 elections, Prof. Frimpong-Boateng’s remarks underscore a growing discontent among some senior figures, potentially signaling deeper divisions within the party's ranks.