Political Science lecturer at the University of Cape Coast, Dr. Jonathan Asante, has attributed 60% of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) defeat in the 2024 general election to the leadership of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

Dr. Asante’s comments follow remarks made by Sammy Crabbe, the former Vice Chairman of the NPP, who labelled the party as weak in the aftermath of their electoral loss.

Speaking to Citi FM, Dr. Asante pointed to the neglect of party structures as a major factor in the NPP’s substantial defeat.

He drew a comparison to the biblical verse from Jeremiah, stating, "The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge."

He further argued that Akufo-Addo’s leadership played a critical role in Dr. Bawumia’s loss, contributing 60% to the defeat, while Dr. Bawumia himself was responsible for the remaining 40%.

Dr. Asante also highlighted the arrogance displayed by government appointees during Akufo-Addo’s tenure as a contributing factor to the NPP’s defeat.

He described the government’s approach as one that alienated the public, leading to mass opposition to their mandate.

"The goodwill is no longer there," he stated, adding that the weakness of party structures was evident, as it appeared more like a "one-man show" under Akufo-Addo’s leadership.

The lecturer further elaborated that these intangibles, including arrogance and neglect of party structures, ultimately led to a lack of support for the NPP in the 2024 elections.

Dr. Asante believes that a failure to address these issues within the party will continue to hinder its prospects in future elections.

On the future of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Asante noted that their electoral fortunes would depend largely on the performance of the current Mahama-led administration.

He suggested that if the Mahama administration is successful, the NDC could gain significant momentum heading into future elections.