Dr. Richard Amoako Baah, a well-known political scientist and veteran member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has stirred the political landscape by calling on NPP supporters to abandon the party and join a new political movement—the New Patriotic Front (NPF). His bold move has raised many eyebrows, but it also reflects deeper issues within the ruling party. Here are five possible reasons why Dr. Amoako Baah decided to part ways with the NPP and champion a new political direction:
1. Disillusionment with NPP Leadership
Dr. Baah expressed strong frustration with the current leadership of the NPP, accusing them of deep-seated corruption and a resistance to reform. According to him, the very people responsible for the party’s problems are still firmly in control, making any genuine reform from within almost impossible. His statement, “Do you think they’ll allow you to remove them? No. Walk away and leave the party to them,” signals a total loss of confidence in the leadership’s ability to self-correct.
2. Desire to Restore True Party Values
The NPP, once known for its democratic ideals and commitment to good governance, has in Dr. Baah’s view, strayed far from its founding principles. By forming the New Patriotic Front, he aims to revive and protect the core values that originally attracted him and others to the NPP. He believes the new movement can offer a platform that reflects honesty, accountability, and patriotism—ideals he feels the NPP no longer upholds.
3. Lack of Internal Democracy
Another key reason for his departure is what he describes as the erosion of internal democracy within the party. Dr. Baah noted that, if he had the authority as chairman, he would have expelled certain members for compromising the integrity of the NPP. This suggests that mechanisms for internal accountability have broken down, leaving little room for principled dissent or corrective action.
4. Widespread Discontent Among Members
Dr. Baah is not alone in his criticism. Prominent figures like Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng have also openly condemned the current administration, accusing it of sidelining capable individuals and ignoring valuable advice. This collective frustration among respected party members may have reinforced Dr. Baah’s belief that a breakaway movement is necessary to give disillusioned members a new political home.
5. Fear of Political Irrelevance
According to Dr. Kwame Asiedu Sarpong of CDD-Ghana, the NPP risks becoming politically irrelevant if it does not drastically change course. This warning may have influenced Dr. Baah’s urgency to act now. By forming the NPF, he may be trying to preempt the collapse of the current party structure and offer a viable alternative before the electorate loses all faith in the NPP.
Dr. Amoako Baah’s call to action may mark the beginning of a new chapter in Ghanaian politics. Whether the New Patriotic Front can truly challenge the NPP and gain public support remains to be seen, but his reasons for the split highlight the serious internal cracks within one of Ghana’s leading political parties.
Source: YawaNews