Former Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, has raised alarm over what he perceives as a departure from the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) core values, accusing the party of transforming into a “family, friends, and concubines government” instead of focusing on national development.
In an opinion piece titled ‘NPP, How Did We Get Here?' Professor Frimpong-Boateng expressed his reservations about a faction within the NPP that, despite lacking official political appointments or formal positions within the party structure, wields significant influence.
He pointed out that one member of this group is referred to as the ‘de facto Prime Minister' of the country.
These influential individuals reportedly possess the power to secure prominent roles in society for their associates and allies while simultaneously displaying a disposition towards disrespecting and causing difficulties for the Ghanaian population.
Professor Frimpong-Boateng emphasized the deviation from the traditional values of the NPP as a cause for concern. He observed that the country's governance has shifted towards controlling the media not through violence but through bribery and intimidation.
He stated, “We are being served with a variation of ‘family, friends, and concubines government,' and control of the press not through violence but through bribery and intimidation. We are witnessing the weaponization of state institutions to silence transformative voices while allowing patronized corruption to flourish. Instead of development in freedom, we are witnessing unprecedented intimidation, economic retrogression, and suffering in silence.”
Furthermore, he criticized the ‘NPP establishment' for promoting a presidential candidate whom he views as the most vulnerable and laden with baggage among the aspirants. He likened this choice to shopping for a problem when a solution already exists.
