Performance Audit: Minority MPs shine amid party-wide weakness

The Minority Caucus in Parliament has emerged as the strongest pillar of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) during its first five months in opposition, according to an assessment presented by Dr. Frank Bannor of the Ghana Academic Professionals Forum at a press briefing held on Friday.

Dr. Bannor, who walked the media through the Forum’s performance index for the NPP from January 7 to June 7, 2025, described the party’s overall opposition performance as “woefully inadequate,” scoring a dismal 43%, which he equated to a grade ‘F’ in academic terms. However, he noted that the Minority in Parliament scored 16 out of 20 in parliamentary oversight — representing an ‘A’ or 80% performance — standing in sharp contrast to the rest of the party’s underwhelming showing.

“Without the performance of the Minority in Parliament, there would effectively be no political opposition from the NPP,” Dr. Bannor remarked. “This is not the party we used to know.”

According to the assessment, the Minority MPs have been the sole source of credible checks and balances on the ruling government. Despite their historically low numbers — 88 seats — the caucus is said to have demonstrated “robust engagement,” surpassing the output of previous, more sizable NPP parliamentary contingents.

Dr. Bannor contrasted this with the rest of the party’s performance in opposition. In key strategic areas such as policy alternatives (3/15), communication and public engagement (6/20), fundraising (4/10), and alliance-building (3/10), the NPP scored poorly. He pointed out that these areas are typically led by the national party and not its parliamentary wing.

He expressed particular concern about the lack of visible leadership from the national executive, citing incidents such as the Minority Leader having to read the party’s response to the President’s State of the Nation Address — a duty traditionally handled by national party figures.

“Where are the Communications Director, the General Secretary, the National Chairman?” Bannor asked rhetorically. “Why should a parliamentary leader be reading a press statement meant for the national party?”

The academic criticized the NPP’s failure to roll out any comprehensive shadow governance structures or detailed sector-by-sector policy alternatives — tools vital for a credible opposition party.

He also lamented the party’s inability to maintain basic organizational and financial stability. “In less than three months of opposition, the NPP publicly admitted it could not pay staff or utility bills. That is not just an embarrassment; it’s a failure in sustainability planning,” he said.

Key recommendations from the Forum included the creation of active shadow ministerial portfolios, improved media engagement, stronger grassroots mobilization, strategic alliances with civil society, and urgent restructuring of party membership and communication channels.

Dr. Bannor concluded that while the Minority has managed to uphold democratic accountability within Parliament, the broader NPP must undergo urgent reforms to remain viable as a political force ahead of the next electoral cycle.

“The Minority is carrying the weight of the entire opposition — but they cannot do it alone. The national party must rise to the occasion,” he warned.