A member of the ruling New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) National Communications Team, Yaw Adomako Baafi, has attributed the party’s recent electoral defeat to what he describes as biased internal security operations led by the then Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Dr. George Akuffo Dampare and his deputy, Christian Tetteh Yohuno.
Speaking on Atinka FM’s morning show, AM Drive, hosted by Ekow Budu Sam, Mr. Baafi dismissed claims that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s candidature was weak and the primary reason for the NPP’s loss.
According to him, multiple factors contributed to the party’s defeat, but the role of the police leadership was significant.
Mr. Baafi alleged that the Ghana Police Service, under IGP Dampare and his deputy, acted in ways that favored the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) while frustrating the efforts of the NPP.
“The internal security, led by pro-NDC IGP(Dampare) and his deputy, caused us many harms. They were soft on the NDC but hard on the NPP just to please Mahama,” – he claimed.
He further lamented that certain polling centers had not declared their results due to security lapses, which he blamed on Dampare’s failure to ensure a smooth process.
“Till date, some centers have not been declared, and Dampare failed to make arrangements for a smooth process. So how do you blame this on Bawumia?”- he questioned.
Beyond the security challenges, Mr. Baafi admitted that the NPP’s political communication strategy was weak and contributed to the loss.
“We took political communication for granted. We lost touch with the media, academia, and other allies who could have amplified our message,”- he stated.
He also expressed concerns over the NPP’s neglect of security groups, including party-affiliated forces like the Invisible Forces, whom he believes could have played a crucial role in securing the party’s interests.
Despite the loss, Mr. Baafi remains hopeful about the NPP’s chances in the next election. He believes that President John Mahama’s administration will fade soon, providing an opportunity for the NPP to reclaim power.
“With how Mahama has started, it is clear he will mess up. We have hope to come back, but that doesn’t mean we should relax. Hope alone doesn’t build a house; it’s the steps we take,” – he cautioned, referencing a local proverb.
Mr. Baafi revealed that he has compiled a detailed report on the NPP’s defeat, which he intends to submit to the party’s leadership. He also plans to publish a book that will analyze the party’s electoral performance and even serve as a guide for the NDC.
“Winning an election isn’t just about having the best candidate or good governance records. The real requirements for victory are all in my report, which I will submit soon. I will later publish a book on it—to help even the NDC.”
In his final remarks, he urged party members to avoid blame games and focus on strategies for a stronger comeback in the next election.
Ghana|Atinkaonline.com|Ebenezer Madugu