Former President John Agyekum Kufuor, aged 86, has publicly expressed profound disappointment over his perceived marginalization by the New Patriotic Party (NPP), a party he led to historic victories in 2000 and 2004.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by Abetifi MP and NPP flagbearer aspirant Dr. Bryan Acheampong on July 13, 2025, Kufuor lamented the party’s failure to consult him on key decisions, despite his significant contributions to its growth and Ghana’s democratic history.
“I don’t understand why my own party, the NPP, has sidelined me,” he said, emphasizing that his age should not justify exclusion. “Have I declined to the point where I can be dismissed, overlooked? My faculties are intact. I’m no relic. I deserve at least to be consulted,” Kufuor asserted, underscoring his intact mental sharpness and enduring relevance.
Kufuor, who served as Ghana’s President from 2001 to 2009, highlighted his long political journey, from a 30-year-old MP in 1969 to a founding member of the Progress Party, which evolved into the NPP.
He recalled his 13-month imprisonment after the 1972 coup and his leadership in securing Ghana’s first peaceful democratic transition in 2001, defeating the NDC’s John Atta Mills with 56.9% of the vote.
Despite these sacrifices, Kufuor noted his exclusion from critical forums like the NPP National Council, sparking debate about the party’s treatment of its elders. “If this party still has elders… I am one,” he declared, urging respect for institutional memory.
His remarks follow earlier critiques, including at the June 2025 launch of the NPP’s Patriotic Institute, where he condemned tribal and religious bigotry in the party’s internal campaigns, warning that such divisiveness could undermine its national appeal ahead of the 2028 elections.
Sources indicate Kufuor has formally petitioned the NPP leadership, prompting an urgent National Council meeting scheduled for July 14, 2025, to address internal tensions and leadership dynamics. Political observers suggest his outspokenness may force the NPP to confront its approach to unity and generational transitions, especially after its 2024 electoral loss, which Kufuor attributed to internal weaknesses and a departure from core
Kufuor’s call for inclusion resonates amid broader NPP challenges, including factionalism and recent controversies like the Ablekuma North rerun violence. His critique underscores the need for the party to balance respect for its founding figures with modern leadership demands, as it navigates its path forward. For updates, follow NPP’s official channels or visit www.nppghana.org.
