Justin Frimpong Kodua, General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has linked the party’s defeat in the 2024 general elections to a broader global trend of voters rejecting incumbent governments amid economic challenges.
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Speaking on Channel One TV on Wednesday, June 18, Mr Kodua emphasized that the NPP’s electoral loss should not be interpreted solely through a local lens but rather seen as part of an international shift in voter behavior.
“Certainly, if we reflect on the 2024 election, there were multiple reasons for our defeat, not just issues of governance,” he said.
Apathy and the ‘Eight-Year Cycle’
Kodua acknowledged that internal challenges played a role in the outcome, including apathy within the party’s grassroots and the widely held public expectation for change after eight years of NPP rule.
“Apathy set in within the party, and many Ghanaians believe that after eight years, there should be a new government,” he noted.
He explained that this cyclical sentiment significantly influenced voter attitudes during the polls.
Part of a Global Pattern
Beyond local factors, Mr Kodua stressed the importance of understanding Ghana’s election in the context of global political dynamics.
“As many as 60 incumbent governments lost elections around the world. What happened in Ghana was not isolated; it followed a global pattern,” he asserted.
He cited post-COVID-19 economic strain and the ripple effects of the Russia-Ukraine war as major contributors to widespread economic dissatisfaction, which he believes hurt incumbents globally, including the NPP.
“The economic pressure was a global issue. Ghana, like many others, suffered inflation, fiscal stress, and public frustration.”
