Former Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Freddie Blay, has strongly defended the party’s ongoing ‘Thank You’ tour, describing it as a vital initiative aimed at fostering unity and re-energising grassroots supporters in the wake of the 2024 general elections.

His comments come amid growing concerns within the party that the tour, spearheaded by 2024 NPP flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, may be exacerbating internal divisions rather than healing them.

However, Blay insisted the initiative is timely and necessary, especially after a demanding national campaign.

In an interview with Channel One TV on Tuesday, 29 April, Blay emphasised that the tour should not be seen as a mere ceremonial gesture of gratitude but as a calculated political strategy to maintain engagement with the party’s base and reinforce solidarity.

“I find nothing wrong with that. It would rather ginger up the base. It energises the base, and some people – we even ask a few more questions, and if it is convenient, they will answer those questions,” he explained.

Blay further dismissed criticisms suggesting that such outreach activities would have been better placed ahead of the elections.

He argued that the current political climate necessitates efforts aimed at reconciliation and internal rebuilding, rather than electoral strategising.

“Anybody who says that it is wrong and that we should wait for elections, I think their main focus is on elections. The party’s main focus is to bring the party together and, as I mentioned, energise the base, and I believe the ‘Thank You’ tour is doing exactly that,” he added.