Dr. Nyaho Nyaho Tamakloe, a founding member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has openly criticized the party’s recent “Thank You Tour,” describing it as unnecessary and potentially divisive.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with TV3 monitored by Kumasimail, Dr. Nyaho expressed deep disappointment in the party’s leadership, particularly under former President Nana Akufo-Addo.
Dr. Nyaho emphasized that the core issue within the NPP is not factionalism but leadership. “It’s not a question of faction; it’s a question of leadership,” he stated.
He revealed that despite his repeated warnings about the direction of the party, his advice was largely ignored.
“I was really shocked by the leadership of Akufo-Addo because I had a lot of faith in him. But when he came in, he never listened to anybody,” Dr. Nyaho said.
He highlighted the presence of experienced figures like Kwame Pianim, suggesting that the country’s economic challenges could have been mitigated if better counsel had been heeded.
Instead, he claimed, Akufo-Addo’s leadership became a “family affair,” which sowed the seeds of the country’s current problems.
He stressed “We have people like Kwame Pianim; if it comes to the economy, you have nothing to worry about. But you brought in your own cousin, and it became a family affair-that’s where the problem started.”
When asked why the NPP is still struggling to find its feet now that Akufo-Addo is no longer President or leader of the party, Dr. Nyaho responded, “He’s still pulling strings behind the scenes; we know that party very well”.
Addressing the recent “Thank You Tour,” Dr. Nyaho was unequivocal in his condemnation.
“I recently condemned that so-called thank you march; it wasn’t necessary”.
He warned that such initiatives risked deepening divisions within the party, a prediction seemingly confirmed by recent violent incidents in Kumasi, including a stabbing, which contributed to the departure of MP Kennedy Agyapong from the NPP.
“I even said that it would rather create problems in the party, and it started. Look at the stabbing in Kumasi, which led to Kennedy Agyapong leaving the group. I spoke about it two days before.
Dr. Nyaho added “So, I get surprised when, at times, you even advise them from afar and they won’t listen”.
He accused some party members of prioritizing personal gain over national development, singling out young politicians like Adu Boahen for criticism.
“The boys there now-their interest is not the development of this country; their interest is to come and steal, make money. Look at that young Adu Boahen-I can’t believe it.”
Dr. Nyaho also issued a stern warning to the current government led by President John Dramani Mahama.
“If they fail to prosecute those who have stolen money, they will never be forgiven,” he declared.
When pressed on whether the leadership vacuum in the NPP now falls on former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia now Nana Addo Dankwah Akuffo Addo is no more the leader of the party, Dr. Nyaho expressed skepticism.
“In my book, I see him as the cause of the mess in which we find ourselves. We need a kind of leadership that can make decisive decisions without any undue interference, and I doubt Bawumia has that temerity as a leader,” he remarked.
www:www.kumasimail.com /Kwadwo Owusu