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Legislators

Former Minister of Communications and Digitalisation Defends Ex-President Over Party's Electoral Struggles

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Veteran journalist and Managing Editor of The Insight Newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr, has questioned former Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, over her recent defense of former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. Owusu-Ekuful criticized elements within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for blaming Akufo-Addo for the party's electoral struggles in the 2024 election. In her statement, she emphasized Akufo-Addo's unwavering financial support for the NPP, stating that for eight years, he consistently funded party operations at all levels, sending monthly allowances to constituencies, regional branches, and the national office, while also topping up MPs' incomes beyond their official salaries.

Key Takeaways:

  • Kwesi Pratt questioned the financial contributions made by Akufo-Addo to support party activities, suggesting that such revelations could have unintended consequences for the party.
  • Ursula Owusu-Ekuful defended Akufo-Addo's legacy, highlighting his achievements in maintaining a stable electricity supply, expanding access to education, creating jobs, and undertaking extensive road infrastructure projects.
  • Owusu-Ekuful expressed concern over what she sees as growing ingratitude within the party, lamenting that if after a lifetime of sacrifice for democracy, the rule of law, and building their political brand, the party can look Akufo-Addo in the face or call him names behind his back.
  • The former Minister argued that Akufo-Addo personally paid 127 MPs after the state had already paid them, and that even what Akufo-Addo was paying MPs was more than what the state was paying them.
  • Owusu-Ekuful emphasized that Akufo-Addo consistently funded party operations without expecting anything in return, and that his contributions are a testament to his commitment to the party's success.
  • Pratt warned that the party's behavior towards Akufo-Addo could lead to the party's collapse, stating that "what they are doing they are collapsing their party."

Statistics:

  • 2024: The year in which the NPP faced electoral struggles.
  • 8 years: The duration for which Akufo-Addo consistently funded party operations at all levels.
  • 127: The number of MPs that Akufo-Addo personally paid after the state had already paid them.
  • Unclear: The amount of money Akufo-Addo paid to MPs beyond their official salaries, according to Owusu-Ekuful.

Sources:

  • Ghana Web, "Kwesi Pratt Jnr questions Ursula Owusu-Ekuful over defense of Akufo-Addo" (May 15, 2025)
  • Peace FM, "Kokrokoo: Kwesi Pratt Jnr questions Ursula Owusu-Ekuful over Akufo-Addo's financial contributions" (May 13, 2025)
  • Ursula Owusu-Ekuful's Facebook statement, "Akufo-Addo's unwavering financial support for the NPP" (Exact date unclear)

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