In a revealing interview on Bryt Adekye Mu Nsem with Kwamina Sam Biney, renowned researcher Mr. Musa Danquah shed light on the factors that led to the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) resounding defeat in the 2024 elections.
According to Mr. Danquah, the ruling party was well aware of its dwindling popularity but chose to deny the harsh reality. “A country that doesn’t conduct research doesn’t progress. The NPP knew they were going to lose; they were just running from the fact,” he asserted.
Citing internal research findings, Mr. Danquah disclosed that as of July 2024, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s approval rating stood at a mere 36.6%, making the NPP’s eventual defeat unsurprising. He referenced a recent statement by Former Majority Leader Hon. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, which aligned with his research projections.
Politicized Research and Lack of Integrity
Delving deeper into the role of research in politics, he explained that there are two types of research—public interest research and private or confidential research. While public interest findings are openly shared with the media and the public, confidential political research remains within party circles. However, he lamented that many researchers have been compromised by politicians, making their work unreliable.
“Most researchers lack integrity because they have taken money from politicians,” he revealed, questioning the credibility of election-related surveys in the country.
NPP’s Failed Promises and Scandals Led to Their Defeat
On the NPP’s legacy, Mr. Danquah delivered a scathing assessment, claiming that the party had no significant achievements except for the Free SHS policy. He pointed to the controversial National Cathedral project, which became a major scandal due to its massive financial burden on the state.
“Almost everyone, including Christians, opposed the National Cathedral project. In the end, all we see is a hole in the ground despite the millions pumped into it. Meanwhile, ordinary Ghanaians were struggling to afford basic necessities,” he remarked.
He stressed that the NPP’s disconnect from the people, coupled with economic hardships, led to their downfall. “Governance and democracy go hand in hand with public opinion. When a government refuses to listen to ordinary citizens, it loses elections. That is exactly why the NPP lost in 2024.”
Ghanaians Happy with NDC’s Economic Relief Measures
In contrast, Mr. Danquah noted that many Ghanaians have welcomed the policies of Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson and the new NDC government. He highlighted key financial decisions such as the scrapping of the betting tax, e-levy, and other burdensome taxes, which have been widely praised by the public.
With this shift in public sentiment, he believes the NDC has gained the trust of Ghanaians, reinforcing the importance of listening to the people in governance.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Gumedzo Isaac Acheampong
