A Lecturer at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Dr Kwabena Bomfeh Jnr, has urged the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to focus less on internal debates over structures and more on sincere and effective execution of its decisions.

Speaking on the party’s decision to proceed with its presidential primaries scheduled for January 31, Dr Bomfeh said the NPP understands what is best for its survival and growth, but must ensure that its actions reflect its stated principles.

“The NPP as a political party knows what is good for them. The important thing is to walk the talk,” he said on JoyNews' Newsfile on Saturday, January 24.

According to him, while party rules and procedures are clear, political practice often differs from theory, and rigid adherence to systems without proper execution could worsen internal tensions.

“The lawyers here will tell us better that you don’t legislate that which cannot be obeyed. I have had the privilege and opportunity to run a party. Sometimes the theories are not the same as practice,” he noted.

Dr Bomfeh explained that whether the party adopts a bottom-up or top-down approach in selecting its leadership, success depends largely on how the process is managed.

“It is not so much what you do, but how you execute it and guide it — the before, the during and then the after. That is what creates cohesion. One can do bottom-up and fail, someone can do top-down and succeed, and vice versa,” he stated.

He stressed that sincerity and commitment to unity should guide the process, warning that poorly managed internal elections could deepen divisions within the party.

Dr Bomfeh further suggested that the current challenges facing the NPP reflect a broader national problem.

His comments come at a time when the NPP has announced plans to hold its presidential primaries on January 31, despite calls from some party stakeholders and critics for the leadership to first focus on consolidating and uniting the party after its defeat in the 2024 general election.