Kumasi: The second-vice chairman of the Manhyia South NPP and an aspiring Ashanti Regional Deputy Secretary, Kingsley Bonsu Kyeretwie (Esq), has asserted that a unified New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ashanti Region is the only antidote to the current economic challenges and difficulties facing Ghanaians under the NDC administration. Speaking in an interview with Nana Peprah at a maiden NPP Family Sporting Day event in Kumasi, an initiative he co-organised with the regional organiser Francis Adomako, popularly known as Francois, the legal practitioner and politician explained that the event was designed to test and solidify the party's strength in its stronghold following the emergence of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as the party's flagbearer.
According to Ghana Web, political gatherings are often limited to formal conferences and policy discussions, which can sometimes deepen internal rivalries. By contrast, the sporting event saw rival factions and aspirants for upcoming positions chatting, laughing, and competing together. Kyeretwie emphasized the importance of unity, stating that the event demonstrated people who will be contesting each other in upcoming elections were engaging amicably. He highlighted the need for internal unity as a signal to Ghanaians, using the metaphor, "If there is fire in your house, you cannot go out and quench another person's fire."
Switching his focus to the current governance, Kyeretwie delivered a critique of the current government's handling of the economy and essential services. He pointed to the return of 'dumsor' (power outages) as a primary factor affecting students' education and the survival of local businesses. He expressed concern over students failing exams due to studying by flashlight, and the lack of electricity affecting homes and workplaces.
Kyeretwie further criticised the government's failure to fulfil promises regarding employment and teacher recruitment, noting that instead of the promised 50,000 automatic recruitments, only 7,000 are being processed. He accused the government of lacking control over the economy, mentioning issues between MPs and the Finance Ministry, and the purported artificial stabilization of the Cedi, which he claims has not benefited market women.
Reflecting on the NPP's current status in opposition, Kyeretwie acknowledged that the party had to learn from its past. He admitted that 'arrogance of power' among some members contributed to the party's previous electoral setbacks, from which he believes much has been learned. He emphasized that the NPP is ready to spearhead the journey to improve Ghana, stressing that this begins with a disciplined, humble, and united Ashanti Regional front.