Outgoing Deputy Minister of Health and Member of Parliament for Akim Oda, Alexander Akwasi Acquah, has stirred controversy with his recent comments on the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) sweeping victory in the 2024 general elections.
While many have attributed the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) defeat to internal challenges and voter dissatisfaction, Mr. Acquah has introduced a different angle, claiming the NDC employed black magic to secure their win.
Speaking in an interview on Oyerepa TV, Mr. Acquah questioned the dynamics of the election, suggesting it defied logic.
“You can call it spiritual manipulation or something of that sort,” he remarked. “It’s surprising how many of their supporters didn’t even step out to vote, yet they managed to secure such a significant lead.
This doesn’t follow the usual patterns we’ve seen in Ghanaian elections.” His comments have reignited discussions about the role of cultural beliefs in political narratives, especially in a country where spiritual interpretations often blend with political discourse.
Rather than focusing on the NPP’s acknowledged missteps—such as internal divisions and the economic hardships that shaped voter sentiment—Mr. Acquah downplayed the significance of the NDC’s performance.
He argued that the victory was not extraordinary, stating, “Let’s not exaggerate their success. If our supporters had turned out in their full numbers, the story would have been different. This isn’t some miraculous achievement by the NDC.”
These statements have drawn mixed reactions from the public. While some NPP supporters see his remarks as a call to investigate deeper influences on the election results, others, including political analysts, have criticized him for diverting attention from the party’s pressing issues.
A political strategist noted that such comments might resonate with a segment of the electorate but risk undermining efforts to rebuild trust and address the structural weaknesses within the NPP.
Ghanaians in Akim Oda and beyond have expressed concerns over the narrative. A resident shared, “We need less talk about spiritual manipulation and more focus on understanding why people lost confidence in the NPP. They should listen to the electorate instead of making excuses.”
