Dr. Razak Kojo Opoku, Founding President of the UP Tradition Institute, has hailed the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as a critical driver of Ghana’s national development, arguing that the 2025 Budget presented by the Mahama-led government demonstrates the enduring relevance of NPP policies.

In a detailed statement, Dr. Opoku pointed to several initiatives captured in the 2025 Budget that originated under previous NPP administrations, crediting the party with setting the foundation for many of Ghana’s ongoing economic and social programmes.

He highlighted that key objectives enshrined in the NPP Constitution — such as promoting a free-market economy, encouraging private enterprise, addressing unemployment, ensuring equitable wealth distribution, and protecting the environment — positioned the party ahead of others, including the NDC, in terms of national development vision.

Dr. Opoku acknowledged that although full achievement of these objectives during the Kufuor and Akufo-Addo administrations faced challenges, the NPP governments still made tremendous contributions to nation-building.

He emphasised that Mahama’s 2025 Budget continues several flagship NPP initiatives, including:

Free SHS Policy, School Feeding Programme, Capitation Grant, and payment of Teacher and Nursing Trainee Allowances, all of which were NPP-driven initiatives.

Full implementation of the Earmarked Funds Capping and Realignment Act, 2017 (Act 947), ensuring proper allocation of funds to the NHIL, Road Fund, and GNPC.

Amendment of the Mineral Income Investment Fund (MIIF) Act, 2018 (Act 978) to channel more resources toward infrastructure development.

Expansion and extension of the Growth and Sustainability Levy and Special Import Levy, both originally introduced and refined under NPP governments.

Strengthened support for NHIS, LEAP, School Feeding Programme, and Capitation Grant — all social protection programs first introduced under President Kufuor.

Dr. Opoku praised President Mahama for maintaining and sustaining these programmes, including the continuation of the Agenda 111 Hospitals Project, stressing that policy continuity is essential for accelerated national development.

“Even after 120 days of the new government, it is clear that the sustainability and functionality of Ghana’s economic management are anchored on the policies initiated by the NPP,” Dr. Opoku stated.

He concluded with optimism for the NPP’s prospects in 2028, urging the party to unite behind strong presidential and parliamentary candidates.

He stressed that the legacies of former Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo remain the party’s strongest assets heading into the next general elections.