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The Busia Institute for Rural and Democratic Development (BIRDD) has called on all party faithful of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) both young and old, elected and aspiring, from grass`roots to national leadership to embrace calm reflection, constructive dialogue and loyalty to the unity of the party over factional divides.
It said the party's internal discourse has reached a boiling point, threatening to undermine its unity and effectiveness.
“We note with deep concern the rising temperature of intra-party discourse and the visible tensions emerging from competing perspectives and political ambitions within the NPP.”
“While robust internal debate is a sign of vitality in any democratic organisation, it must always be anchored in the core values of respect, tolerance, decorum and unity of purpose—values that lie at the heart of the United Party (UP) tradition,” the Executive Director of the BIRDD, Anane Agyei, said in an interview with the Daily Graphic in Accra.
This follows the recent announcement by the NPP to hold its presidential primaries on January 31, 2026, which has brought about intense campaigning by flagbearer aspirants and their supporters.
“As the NPP approaches another pivotal moment in its democratic journey, the Busia Institute for Rural and Democratic Development (BIRDD) deems it necessary to add its voice—guided by the enduring legacy of Professor K.A. Busia—to the current conversations surrounding the internal affairs of the party,” Mr Agyei said.
“The NPP cannot afford to dissipate its energies on internal friction at a time when Ghanaians look up to the party to offer alternative governance ideas and a compelling vision for the future. In the words of Dr J. B. Danquah, “The party's policy is to liberate the energies of the people… in order to enrich life, property and liberty for each and every citizen.” he added.
Mr Agyei recalled Professor Busia’s timeless counsel on Ghana’s independence day in Parliament:
“It is our prayer that all of us in this country, whatever our work or station in life, may rise to the requisite discipline, integrity and service without which these expectations will never be fulfilled.”
The Executive Director of the BIRDD stated that the party's strength lies not only in its electoral machinery but also in its moral fibre, built on values of ethical leadership, constitutional order and dignity of public life.
Mr Agyei said the Busia Institute was committed to supporting initiatives that foster genuine intra-party dialogue, nurture values-based leadership, and inspire unity and service “Just as Professor Busia’s inspiring words, spoken in Parliament on March 6, 1957, continue to echo across generations, so too will the statements and actions of today’s political leaders be remembered.
Let every member of the NPP who takes to the public space to speak about the party do so with the awareness that their words may one day be quoted—either as a legacy of wisdom or a testimony of regret,” he added.
He urged party elders, regional and national executives, communicators and aspirants to rise above personal interest and short-term gain.
The ancestors of the NPP tradition, embodied by figures such as Okyeame Baffour Akoto, who laid the foundation through sacrifice and vision, would expect today’s members to embody the party’s founding ideals—not through words that destroy and divide, but through words and actions that strengthen and unify the party,” he said.
