By: Rita Naa Ayeley Armah
In a candid conversation with aspiring presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, former President John Agyekum Kufuor has expressed deep disappointment over his perceived sidelining by the New Patriotic Party (NPP). He conveyed confusion and frustration about being excluded from key decision-making processes within the very party he once led to national victory.
Former President Kufuor said this when Dr. Bryan Acheampong, paid a courtsey call on him.
The Former President who is also a founding member of the NPP, lamented feeling ignored by the party to which he has devoted much of his life. His remarks highlighted growing concerns about inclusivity and respect for the party’s elder statesmen.
Former President Kufuor, who served as President from 2001 to 2009, questioned his current relevance within the party’s structure. “Have I deteriorated to the point where, after being fed, I’d claim I haven’t eaten? No—I haven’t reached that stage yet. My mind and memory are intact,” he asserted, emphasizing his continued capacity to contribute to political discourse.
Reflecting on his extensive political history, he recounted his early days in Parliament at the age of 30, his role as a founding member of the Progress Party and his appointment as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs under Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia. He shared the hardships he faced after Busia’s overthrow, including spending months in jail beginning in January 1972. “We built this party until gradually in 2000, when I led it back to power—for eight solid years,” he recalled with pride.
Despite his significant contributions, Kufuor expressed sadness over his current status within the NPP. “But now I’m being sidelined? Ignored? It’s sad and I don’t understand,” he concluded, leaving many to ponder the implications of his marginalization within the party’s evolving landscape.
Kufuor’s sentiments raise questions about the inclusivity and unity of the NPP as it navigates its future leadership and direction.
