Prof Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, a renowned surgeon and former Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, has criticised the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), saying the current party no longer reflects the values of the NPP he once knew.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s The Point of View on Monday, January 12, Prof Frimpong-Boateng said, “The present NPP is not NPP. It is fake. From what I see now, this is not the NPP I used to know.”
When asked whether he still considers himself a member of the NPP, the former minister said he does not associate himself with what he described as the current version of the party.
“Not the fake one. The real one is there. It is a virtual thing. The members are in the background,” he said.
Prof Frimpong-Boateng expressed deep concern about the internal processes of the party, particularly the way its last flagbearer was elected. He alleged that the process was marred by manipulation, bribery and intimidation of delegates.
“Look at how they elected their last flagbearer, twist people’s arms, bribing delegates and intimidating others to get a flagbearer. This is a beginning of corruption. This should not be allowed in any serious institution or any serious party,” he stated.
He linked these internal challenges to the party’s poor performance in the last general elections, noting that the NPP had failed to properly address the issues that led to its defeat.
“We lost the elections badly and we do not deal with the issues that led to the losses and we still want to go in there and I think it will be a trainwreck if they elect the old flagbearer,” he said.
When asked whether his criticism was directed at the party’s flagbearer, former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Prof Frimpong-Boateng was quick to clarify his position.
“No, no no. Bawumia is a very nice person but being nice alone is not enough to lead Nkrumah’s Ghana,” he said.
