Former president John Agyekum Kufuor has voiced his concerns about what he views as pervasive factionalism inside the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Mr. Kufuor, who served as Ghana’s president from 2000 to 2008, claimed to have noticed substantial changes in the NPP since its inception.

The former President stressed the need for the NPP to properly evaluate its efforts as it moves forward in an interview with Accra-based TV3. He emphasized the value of a strong sense of dedication within the party, comparing it to a kind of devotion akin to a religious belief.

Mr. Kufuor stressed the value of practicing real democracy and emphasized inclusivity over factionalism while noting that the sense of dedication he once felt within the party appears to have diminished.

Mr. Kufuor made the point that highlighting factions within the party, whether at the local or national level, causes conflict and makes cooperation difficult.

“The way I feel it, I don’t sense the same strong commitment. I have likened commitment to almost a religion. I don’t sense that now. We are talking proper democracy, an inclusive one, you wouldn’t emphasise factions.”

“Once the practice of selecting constituency or [a] national, you wouldn’t be so divisive and emphasising faction. He belongs to that side so no cooperation. You do that you are dividing the force,” he stated.