A former flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and former Minister of Energy, Boakye Kyeremateng Agyarko, has called for the urgent rebranding of the party, emphasizing that it has lost its core values and is heading in the wrong direction.

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In a statement seen by the media, Agyarko argued that the party's identity and sense of direction have been compromised, leading to the call for reforms.

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“The urgent call for the NPP to be rebranded is a tacit admission that we have deviated from our core values, mores, beliefs, and ideals, and have lost our sense of direction and identity,” Agyarko stated. “The manifestations of this loss are what is driving this call for reforms and rebranding. The desire to rebrand is a tacit recognition that our current brand is tarnished, and we are unhappy with the current state of affairs.”

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Agyarko further expressed his concern that the ideological brilliance of the party had been “bleached,” leading fewer people to support it. He stressed that the NPP is a legacy, rooted in the struggles and sacrifices of past generations, and must return to its foundational values.

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In his statement, Agyarko emphasized the importance of the NPP returning to its core principles, warning that without them, the party would be engaging in ineffective actions. He quoted John Hannaford, stating that “our values are fundamental truths. They are central to who we are. They point us in the right direction. We must ensure they remain our compass through changing times.”

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The former flagbearer hopeful highlighted the necessity of using lessons from the party’s past to shape its future, saying, “We do not intend to merely sigh from the past. That would be reactionary. We should use these teachings and lessons of our past to more intensely celebrate the present and reshape the future.”

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Agyarko outlined 11 key values that he believes the NPP has abandoned, resulting in a loss of its true identity. These include respect for and defense of the rule of law, commitment to building a free and democratic system of government where all citizens can contribute to the nation’s welfare, ensuring freedom from dictatorship and oppression, protection of fundamental rights and individual freedoms, with every individual deserving respect and dignity.

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He also emphasized security of private property and economic rights, echoing Thomas Paine’s assertion that “no one ought to be deprived of it except in cases of evident public necessity.” Agyarko stressed the importance of decentralizing power from the central government to local levels for more effective policy implementation, promoting an efficient market economy and individual enterprise while ensuring safety nets to protect the poor and vulnerable.

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Other values he mentioned included strengthening democratic institutions to sustain good governance, recognizing the role of religious, cultural, and civil society institutions in national development, including religious organizations and the institution of chieftaincy. Agyarko also underscored the need for a fair distribution of national resources to prevent monopolization and promote equal opportunities for all citizens.

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He called for ensuring access to equal education, healthcare, and employment for all Ghanaians, and creating an enabling environment for private enterprise to thrive, allowing both citizens and foreign investors to invest without fear of bureaucratic restrictions, fostering wealth creation and prosperity for the people.

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Agyarko’s call for a return to these core values aims to restore the NPP’s true identity and credibility, hoping to realign the party with the principles that once made it a powerful force in Ghana’s political landscape.

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