Executives of the GAP-F
A report released by the think tank Ghana Academic Professional Forum (GAP-F) has praised the NPP Minority Caucus in Parliament for its visible activism and engagement, while raising serious concerns about what it describes as the lethargic and underwhelming performance of the party’s national leadership.
According to GAP-F, the NPP’s Minority in Parliament is demonstrating commendable political energy, strategic communication, and visible engagement with both party faithful and the wider public. In contrast, the national party structure, including the leadership at the party headquarters, is said to be underperforming and failing to provide clear direction for the party’s future.
Speaking during the GAP-F’s official unveiling and maiden press conference at the Ghana International Press Centre, Professor Isaac Boadi, the Forum’s Convener and Associate Professor of Finance at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), explained that the think tank adopted a five-month timeline to give the party reasonable space for internal reforms, reorganisation, and strategy formation following its electoral defeat in 2024.
“We’ve assessed opposition parties across the globe from the Republican Party in the U.S. to the Labour Party in the UK and the African National Congress in South Africa to provide a broader comparative context,” he said.
Evaluation criteria
He stated that the GAP-F’s assessment was based on a detailed scorecard using seven key criteria with assigned weightings totaling 100 points.
These included Reorganization of Party Structures (15 points), Public Communication & Engagement (15 points), Policy Alternatives and Shadow Cabinet Activity (10 points), Parliamentary Oversight Role (20 points), Public Mobilisation & Outreach (10 points), Alliances & Stakeholder Engagement (10 points) and Fundraising & Party Sustainability (10 points).
In each category, he explained, the NPP’s performance was analysed in terms of achievements and weaknesses, with evidence drawn from documented events, press statements, parliamentary actions, and public campaigns between January and June 2025.
Key findings
He said the key findings of the report reflected both strengths and weaknesses in the NPP’s post-election performance, with the party scoring a total of 43 out of 100.
He mentioned that parliamentary oversight earned the highest marks, scoring 18 out of 20, due to the Minority’s active role in holding government accountable, resisting MP suspensions, demanding investigations into the harassment of former appointees, and leading press engagements on key national issues.
He pointed out that public engagement scored 13 out of 15, largely credited to frequent press briefings by General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong. However, mixed messaging was noted as a weakness. He said policy alternatives received a moderate score of 6 out of 10, citing the formation of a shadow cabinet and critique of the 2025 Budget, but noted the lack of a clear, comprehensive framework.
He added that party’s reorganisation was rated 10 out of 15, acknowledging initiatives like national forums and a party ID system, although implementation was said to be slow and uneven. He pointed out that public mobilisation and stakeholder engagement scored 5 out of 10 and 6 out of 10 respectively, with most mobilization efforts driven by the Minority in Parliament and limited national outreach.
He said fundraising and party sustainability was one of the weakest areas, also scoring 5 out of 10, with no visible long-term financial strategy beyond short-term donations.
Reforms recommended
Dr. Frank Bannor, a lecturer at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) and Director of Research at the Danquah Institute, also outlined key recommendations to reinvigorate the NPP’s effectiveness as an opposition party, like the establishment of shadow ministers with defined portfolios and launch policy blueprints. He called for the restructuring of communication strategy with proactive, coordinated messaging from party executives.
He said it was important to build strategic alliances with academia, civil society, religious and professional groups, as well as mobilise the base through targeted constituency outreach and digital engagement platforms, among others.
“Opposition is not about numbers. It’s about nerve. And if the NPP is serious about returning to power, it must wake up beyond the gates of Parliament,” he added.
Galamsey
Touching on other issues of national interest, the newly formed think tank questioned the sincerity and effectiveness of the current NDC administration’s fight against illegal mining (galamsey), describing it as a “mirage and cosmetic” rather than a resolute policy direction.
Dr. Justice Kwaku Addo, a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Coast (UCC), criticised President John Dramani Mahama’s government over what he called its “cosmetic approach” to the galamsey menace.
He accused the government of turning a blind eye to the widespread destruction caused by illegal mining activities across the country. “The rivers of Ghana and our unborn generations are crying for your rescue, Mr. President. The level of water pollution, soil degradation, and deforestation has reached its crescendo, yet government and its appointees pretend nothing is happening,” he lamented.
Fake certificates
The think tank further raised red flags over what it described as a disturbing influx of fake academic certificates and unearned titles among political appointees under the current administration, calling it a growing threat to the credibility of Ghana’s educational and governance systems.
Mohammed Tawfik Adamu, a lecturer at the Department of Communication Studies, University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), warned that the phenomenon, if not curtailed, risked irreparable damage to the nation’s academic reputation and professional standards.
“In recent months, we have been startled by the alarming rate in cases of fake certificates and titles within the political class, particularly under the administration of President John Dramani Mahama,” Mr. Adamu stated. “This is a matter we cannot ignore, for it poses a significant threat to the credibility of our higher education institutions.”
GAP- F
The Ghana Academic Professional Forum (GAP-F) is an independent and non-partisan body. It aims to play a pivotal role in Ghana’s policy landscape, focusing on rigorous economic policy analysis, strategic advocacy, and constructive engagement with stakeholders at all levels of governance and society.
GAP-F is not merely an association of professionals but a forward-thinking platform designed to foster collaboration, advance intellectual discourse, and contribute significantly to national and regional development through academic and professional engagement.
The Forum’s mission is to serve as an independent, non-partisan think tank that rigorously analyzes economic policies, advocates for evidence-based reforms, and engages stakeholders at all levels to promote inclusive, sustainable, and resilient economic development.
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