Former President Kufuor Stresses Principles Over Personalities at NPP Think Tank Launch

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor reportedly urged the newly inaugurated Patriotic Institute to anchor itself firmly in the foundational principles of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) during its official launch.

The event occurred on Wednesday, 25 June 2025, at the NPP Headquarters in Asylum Down, Accra. He emphasized democracy, the rule of law, private enterprise, and responsible governance as core tenets.

The Institute, established as a party-based think tank and training centre, aims to provide ideological grounding, policy direction, and strategic communication skills for members and aspiring leaders. Kufuor described the initiative as strategically vital for long-term ideological renewal within the party. He reportedly stressed that its success depends on adherence to truth, discipline, and introspection.

Kufuor cautioned against elevating individual figures, stating the NPP’s enduring strength lies in its values, not specific personalities. He emphasized that defining principles like democracy and respect for the private sector transcend any single leader within the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition. Kufuor asserted that fidelity to these ageless principles would secure the party’s future relevance.

The former President specifically addressed the youth, urging them to become future custodians of the party’s mission and embrace its core values. He warned against complacency, highlighting a damaging perception propagated by opponents that the NPP is tribally based. Kufuor stressed that unaddressed, this perception could have significant electoral consequences.

Kufuor clarified that party membership revolves around a shared purpose, not personal friendships, defining the NPP as the vehicle to secure power for national service. He challenged the younger generation to reject dependency, advocating instead for a work ethic rooted in integrity, pragmatism, and service to Ghana.

The launch event gathered a significant cross-section of the NPP’s leadership. Attendees included former Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, NPP Council of Elders Chairman Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, former Chief of Staff Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, former Speaker of Parliament Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, former Majority Leader Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, and former National Chairman Freddie Blay. Also present were current NPP General Secretary Justin Frimpong Kodua, former General Secretary John Boadu, and Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, alongside other party stalwarts and former ministers.