A respected elder of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Lawyer William Kusi, has offered a thoughtful and strategic reflection on the party’s 2024 electoral defeat, responding directly to recent comments by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the NPP’s 2024 presidential candidate, who suggested that religion and tribalism did not influence the party’s loss.
In a detailed and constructive analysis, Lawyer Kusi, who is the CEO of Dominion Chambers in Kumasi, a member of the NPP Ashanti Regional Council of Elders, and former Regional Communications Officer for Hon. Kennedy Agyapong, encouraged the party to pay closer attention to grassroots sentiments, especially regarding religion and ethnic identity.
“Our defeat wasn’t rooted in incompetence or lack of developmental track record. It was a crisis of perception. The party must not underestimate how strongly Ghanaians respond to spiritual, cultural, and ethnic identity—especially when it comes to choosing a president,” he said.
Religious Sentiments and Uncertainty Among Voters
While Dr. Bawumia’s candidacy broke new ground as a Muslim leading a historically Christian-leaning party, Lawyer Kusi believes the party could have done more to reassure both religious groups.
He explained that some Muslim communities became skeptical of Dr. Bawumia’s faith due to his regular attendance at Christian church services and partaking in rituals such as Holy Communion. Similarly, some Christians were uncertain about supporting a Muslim candidate, not out of intolerance, but due to unfamiliarity and cultural discomfort.
“I personally visited an Assemblies of God church in Kumasi the Sunday before the election. During their Sunday School session, they were asking, ‘Is Ghana ready for a Muslim president?’ It wasn’t hostile, but it revealed deep-seated hesitation,” he recalled.
Tribal Tensions and Their Electoral Impact
Lawyer Kusi also pointed to the ongoing tribal tensions in the Northern Region, particularly between the Kusase people and their rivals. According to him, many Kusase voters—both in the north and in southern settlements—believed the NPP flag bearer was covertly supporting one side of the conflict.
“Even in Zongo and Kusase-dominated communities in Ashanti and Greater Accra, where we had strongholds, voter turnout dropped or swung against us. The perception of tribal bias affected our credibility,” he noted.
A Call for Strategic Listening and Inclusive Messaging
Kusi stressed that these factors, though uncomfortable, are real and must be acknowledged if the party is to bounce back stronger.
“We need to listen more—especially to the silent voters. When people are unsure, they stay home. Our party must always be the bridge that unites, not one that creates doubts,” he emphasized.
He urged the NPP to be deliberate in crafting a message that resonates with the entire Ghanaian identity—one that transcends tribe, religion, and region.
Moving Forward: A Message of Hope and Unity
Despite the challenges, Lawyer Kusi expressed strong faith in the party’s future.
“We’ve led Ghana through remarkable progress before, and we can do it again. But first, we must realign with the values and emotions of the people. We need a candidate who is not only competent but culturally relatable to all,” he concluded.
About Lawyer William Kusi
Lawyer Kusi is the Chief Executive Officer of Dominion Chambers in Kumasi, a Council of Elders member of the NPP Ashanti Region, the former Regional Communications Officer for Hon. Kennedy Agyapong during the 2023 flagbearership contest, and the Secretary to the Ashanti Regional Reconstruction Committee of the NPP. His remarks come as part of a broader post-election review within the party.
