A leading member of the Movement for Change and former member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Andrew Appiah Danquah, has declined to return to the party despite its call for amnesty for former members.
He believes the NPP has lost its core values and moral credibility, making it unappealing for individuals like himself to rejoin.
Appiah Danquah cited the party’s alleged drift away from liberal democracy and its perceived tolerance for violence and intolerance as reasons for his decision.
Speaking on the BigIssue segment on the NewDay morning show on TV3 Monday, August 18, 2025, the legal practitioner accused the likes of former President Akufo-Addo of altering the party’s “DNA”, which he says does not make it attractive for people like him to return.
“People arrogate around the party when they recognise certain values that they resonate with. When Nana Addo came, he managed to alter that fine character, he changed the soul of the NPP,” he stated.
According to Danquah, the party is drifting further from its core values, given recent developments. He asked why he should rejoin a party that seems to be embracing “familiar spirits” that contradict its founding principles.
“Everything they are doing suggests to me that they are drifting further, in fact, I’m seeing that they don’t have the fold. How can I go to a party that has become reprobate? How can I enter a house filled with familiar spirits?
“If you were my brother (referring to Roland Walker), would you advise me to go into a possessed house? A house full of familiar spirits?” he questioned.
Background
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) granted a general amnesty to all of its members who have been suspended or have pending disciplinary cases.
In a statement dated Saturday, August 16, 2025, and signed by the Acting National Chairman, Smith Danquah Buttey, the party said the decision was made during an emergency National Council meeting held on July 25.
The move, according to the party, is aimed at promoting unity and reconciliation.
“We hereby serve notice that this directive lifts all such suspensions and waives any ongoing proceedings against affected members,” he statement said.
However, members who forfeited their membership must reapply for reinstatement at the party’s national secretariat. Once reinstated, such individuals will not be eligible to contest any internal party elections for the next two years.
The party also warned regional and constituency executives to follow due process in all disciplinary matters and avoid arbitrary suspensions.
This decision, the statement noted, reflects the party’s commitment to internal cohesion ahead of future political activities.
But according to Danquah, the NPP is not ready to reform for victory.
” Just a simple ‘Thank You’ tour, were people not stabbed? My worst enemy won’t advise me to enter a house that’s full of familiar spirits.”
‘I’ll be happy if the NPP collapses, but…’ – NDC’s Edudzi Tameklo
