Renowned heart surgeon and former Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, has launched a blistering critique of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), declaring that the party has strayed from its founding principles and warning that re-electing Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as flagbearer would spell disaster.

Speaking on Channel One TV’s The Point of View on Monday, January 12, Prof Frimpong-Boateng said the current state of the party no longer reflects the values and identity of the NPP he once served.

“The present NPP is not NPP. It is fake. From what I see now, this is not the NPP I used to know,” he stated bluntly.

‘The Real NPP Has Been Sidelined’

When asked about his continued association with the party, the former minister distanced himself from what he described as the NPP’s present structure, insisting that its genuine members and values have been pushed into the background.

“Not the fake one. The real one is there. It is a virtual thing. The members are in the background,” he said.

His remarks suggest deep internal fractures within the party and growing dissatisfaction among senior figures over the direction of its leadership and governance.

Allegations of Manipulation and Bribery

Prof Frimpong-Boateng further criticised the NPP’s internal democratic processes, particularly the election of its most recent presidential candidate. He alleged that the process was marred by manipulation, bribery, and intimidation of delegates, describing it as a dangerous foundation for corruption.

“Look at how they elected their last flagbearer, twisting people’s arms, bribing delegates and intimidating others to get a flagbearer. This is a beginning of corruption. This should not be allowed in any serious institution or any serious party,” he said.

He linked these internal challenges directly to the party’s poor performance in the 2024 general elections, arguing that the NPP has failed to honestly confront the causes of its defeat.

“We lost the elections badly and we do not deal with the issues that led to the losses and we still want to go in there… I think it will be a trainwreck if they elect the old flagbearer,” he warned.

Warning on Bawumia’s Leadership Bid

Although his comments appeared to target former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Prof Frimpong-Boateng insisted that his critique was not personal.

“No, no, no. Bawumia is a very nice person, but being nice alone is not enough to lead Nkrumah’s Ghana,” he said.

He cautioned that presenting the same candidate without addressing the party’s structural and leadership failures would be catastrophic.

Describing the prospect of Dr Bawumia’s re-election as flagbearer as a “trainwreck,” Prof Frimpong-Boateng stressed that national leadership requires competence, integrity, and decisive reform, not merely personal affability.

His remarks add to growing internal debate within the NPP as the party reflects on its electoral defeat and charts a path forward.