Ghanaians are witnessing a deeply troubling development within the New Patriotic Party (NPP): an internal struggle that has moved beyond healthy political competition into open division, personal attacks, and demeaning rhetoric. What should have been an orderly contest of ideas and leadership vision is instead becoming a public spectacle of insults, factionalism, and dangerous identity labelling.

When a party aspiring to govern Ghana begins to describe some of its own members as “outsiders,” “slaves,” or lesser beings, it sends an unmistakable message to the nation. It tells Ghanaians that the party has unresolved internal fractures, weak moral discipline, and an alarming inability to manage power responsibly.

From internal contest to national concern

Political competition within parties is normal. What is not normal—and certainly not acceptable—is when such competition degenerates into language that invokes hierarchy, lineage, and human worth. Recent exchanges among leading figures and supporters of the NPP have revealed a widening fault line, one that is no longer about policy direction or strategic renewal, but about who truly “belongs” and who does not.

These disputes are unfolding in full public view, forcing party leaders into repeated damage control and defensive explanations. Instead of projecting readiness, maturity, and lessons learned from electoral defeat, the party is projecting confusion, resentment, and internal mistrust. For floating voters, young Ghanaians, and even long-time supporters, this raises a serious question: if a party cannot manage itself, how can it manage a nation of over 30 million people?

The danger of “slave” language in democratic politics

The use of words such as “slave” or suggestions of political royalty is not just offensive; it is fundamentally incompatible with democratic leadership. Ghana’s constitutional democracy is built on equality of citizenship, not ancestry, tribe, or proximity to political power.

Such language does real damage in at least four ways. First, it dehumanises fellow party members and, by extension, fellow citizens. Second, it fuels ethnic and factional suspicion, replacing ideas with identity grievances. Third, it undermines national cohesion by normalising exclusionary thinking. Fourth, it erodes public trust in the party’s moral fitness to govern.

A political tradition that tolerates this rhetoric—whether directly or through silence—cannot convincingly present itself as a unifying national force.

A party not yet ready for national leadership

Leadership at the national level demands restraint, discipline, emotional intelligence, and a clear sense of responsibility. Ghana today faces serious challenges—economic pressures, youth unemployment, declining trust in institutions, and widespread concerns about corruption and accountability.

The country cannot afford leadership consumed by internal feuds and ego battles.
What Ghanaians are seeing instead is a party still struggling to come to terms with its own identity and internal culture. Rather than demonstrating renewal and reflection after losing power, the NPP appears trapped in a destructive cycle of blame, entitlement, and rivalry.

The message to Ghanaians is unmistakable

Politics is not only about winning elections; it is about signalling readiness to govern. At this moment, the signal coming from the NPP is deeply troubling. The party’s internal discourse suggests that ambition is running ahead of responsibility, and factional loyalty is overpowering national consciousness.

For many observers, especially the youth, this resembles old politics in a new moment: gatekeeping, patronage thinking, and personality-centred power struggles dressed up as ideological debate. That is not the kind of politics Ghana needs as it looks toward the future.

What the NPP must do before asking for power again

If the NPP genuinely intends to return to power as a credible alternative, it must pause and undertake serious internal repair.

First, the party must adopt and enforce a zero-tolerance stance against demeaning, tribal, or dehumanising language. Distancing statements are not enough; discipline must be visible and consistent.

Second, reconciliation must come before internal elections, not after. Healing cannot be postponed until damage is done. Without structured dialogue and mutual respect, every contest will deepen existing fractures.

Third, the party must cultivate a leadership culture that rewards restraint and statesmanship rather than provocation. Ghana does not need leaders who win attention through insults; it needs leaders who inspire confidence through clarity and discipline.

Finally, the NPP must refocus on policy substance and national vision. Until the party’s internal conflicts stop dominating headlines, its policy proposals—no matter how well written—will struggle to gain public trust.

A final word to supporters and the nation

This is not an attack on the idea of opposition, nor is it a celebration of any party’s difficulties. Ghana needs strong political parties on all sides. Democracy thrives on competition, accountability, and credible alternatives.

But credibility is earned through conduct, not claims. At this moment, the NPP’s internal battles are telling Ghanaians something they cannot ignore: the party is not yet ready for national leadership.

The responsible path forward is clear. The NPP must step back from the rush for power, confront its internal divisions honestly, clean up its language, restore discipline, and rebuild trust—first within itself, and then with the nation.

Until that work is done, Ghana has every reason to be cautious. The country deserves a politics of dignity, unity, and competence—not one divided by “slaves and royals.”