Former Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has pushed back against narratives placing the blame solely on Dr Mahamudu Bawumia for the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) resounding loss in the 2024 general elections.
While acknowledging that the former Vice President had substantial responsibilities, he argues that the defeat resulted from a constellation of failures, underscoring that executive authority rests ultimately with one person — the President.
Speaking in an interview on Channel One TV on Monday, October 6, 2025, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu emphasised that while Dr Bawumia served as the party’s flagbearer, the outcome of the election was influenced by a range of factors beyond his individual control.
He said “Even though the Vice President and the President don’t share responsibility, the presidency encapsulates the two, so you cannot extricate yourself, especially when you sit in cabinet meetings.”
He urged members and supporters of the NPP to engage in constructive introspection rather than finger-pointing, stressing the importance of unity as the party works to rebuild its image and reconnect with the Ghanaian electorate.
Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu further noted that the NPP’s electoral challenges were the result of internal divisions, public dissatisfaction over economic conditions, and campaign missteps that could not be attributed to any single individual.
Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu admitted that Bawumia, particularly as head of the Economic Management Team (EMT), must accept some criticism, especially over economic policies and decisions.
But, he stressed that, being advisory, the EMT’s recommendations were not always binding. Much of the final decision-making authority resided with the President.
“That is a reality. But nobody should forget that executive authority is vested in one person. That is not to extricate Dr. Bawumia from every blame. The Economic Management Team he headed—their role was only advisory,” he stated.
Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu emphasised that the EMT’s recommendations could not be imposed on the President.
He stressed that “Do they force their observations on the President? I’m saying that in the situation, you can’t whitewash Dr Bawumia and extricate him from any of the things that people considered not good — the policies and programmes people think were not very good. You cannot extricate him completely
He called on the party’s rank and file to focus on reform, reconciliation, and strategic reorganisation to position the NPP for a stronger comeback in future elections.
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who led the NPP into the 2024 polls, has faced criticism from some quarters within the party following the loss.
However, senior figures like Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu have continued to defend him, arguing that blame should be spread more evenly across the party’s leadership and campaign machinery.
