Member of Parliament for Walewale, Dr. Abdul-Kabiru Tiah Mahama, has urged critics of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to channel their concerns through internal party structures rather than public platforms, cautioning that external criticism diminishes their influence within the party.
Speaking on The Verdict with Isaac Addae on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, Dr. Tiah Mahama acknowledged that criticism is an essential feature of democratic governance but stressed that it must be exercised responsibly and with respect for the mandate given by voters.
“No one is saying that if a party is not doing well, it should not be criticised,” he said. “But that criticism must be mindful of the fact that the party did not impose itself on the people. Ghanaians trusted them and elected them for a period.”
He emphasised that the ultimate authority to retain or remove a government rests with the electorate, insisting that citizens must be allowed the space to assess leadership performance and make informed choices at the polls.
“If the people realise they no longer need them, they will change them,” he stated. “We must give the people the benefit of doubt, the benefit of reasoning, and the benefit to take intelligent decisions.”
The Walewale MP criticised former party members and leaders who, he said, have chosen to publicly air their grievances after losing their membership and delegate status within the party.
“Most of them were delegates,” he said. “But by the actions they have taken, they have forfeited their membership. Now, their only platform is radio, and they have no real decision-making power.”
According to Dr. Tiah Mahama, such individuals have weakened their own capacity to effect change by distancing themselves from the party’s internal processes.
“They can speak, but they cannot make any fundamental changes to the things they are complaining about because of the position they have put themselves in,” he said. “It is rather unfortunate.”
He argued that meaningful reform within the NPP can only be achieved by staying engaged and exercising voting and decision-making authority within the party’s structures.
“If you want change, stay with the NPP, criticise the NPP, and use your power of decision-making to change what you think must be changed,” he said. “You don’t sit on the fence and criticise the NPP.”
Dr. Tiah Mahama concluded by asserting that the current generation of party members remains committed to safeguarding the future of the NPP, warning against what he described as attempts by elements of past leadership to undermine the party’s effectiveness.
“The NPP is a party this generation is ready to protect and save,” he said, “from the greed of past leadership that wants to ensure the party is no longer functional.”
Source: Starrfm.com.gh / Barbara Yeboah
