Former Minister for Manpower Development and Employment, Lawyer Yaw Barima, has taken a swipe at the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) current leadership, insisting that the party cannot use the same leadership that presided over its 2024 defeat to win the 2028 elections.
According to him, the NPP must replace its current crop of executives with fresh leadership if the party is serious about rebuilding its fortunes and returning to power.
“There is a saying that you cannot do today’s work with yesterday’s tools and expect to be in business tomorrow,” Mr Barima said.
He added that the party’s parliamentary seats dropped from 137 to 87 under the leadership that was expected to strengthen its electoral fortunes.
“The tools (national executives) we used in 2024 reduced our parliamentary seats from 137 to 87. I think it is high time we put them aside,” he stated.
Mr Barima has therefore thrown his support behind the NPP National Treasurer, Dr Charles Dwamena, in the party’s upcoming national executive elections.
He urged party members to elect Dr Dwamena as General Secretary, describing him as the right person to provide the fresh leadership and vision needed to reposition the party ahead of the 2028 elections.
“I believe that if we give Dr Charles Dwamena the chance to lead as the General Secretary, the party will have a new chapter and vision and have a fair chance to compete in the next election in 2028,” he said.
Mr Barima made the comments on Friday, August 7, 2026, when Dr Dwamena and his team visited several constituencies in the Eastern Region as part of a tour to recognise grassroots executives for their contribution to the party.
The delegation presented citations to constituency executives in appreciation of their commitment and support to the NPP’s National Treasury between 2022 and 2026.
Dr Dwamena, who is campaigning to become the party’s next General Secretary, also commended the executives for what he described as their invaluable contribution to the party’s financial transformation.
He disclosed that monthly membership dues had increased from less than GH¢100 to more than GH¢30,000 under the current administration.
The delegation visited and honoured executives in Yilo Krobo, Manya Krobo, Lower Manya Krobo, Asuogyaman, Akuapem North, Akuapem South, Okere and Nsawam-Adoagyiri.
Other constituencies visited included Abuakwa North, Abuakwa South and Fanteakwa North.
At the NPP party office in Anyinam, executives from Atiwa East, Atiwa West and Fanteakwa South were recognised for their dedication to the party.
The team later moved to Nkawkaw, where executives from Abirem, Nkawkaw, Mpraeso and Abetifi received citations.
Executives from Oda Presby Church, Akim Oda, Asene-Manso-Akroso, Akim Swedru, Achiase and Ofoase Ayirebi were also honoured.
