See why more than 20,000 NPP members defected to the NDC in the days leading up to Ghana's 2024 election.

Political tensions in Ghana's Ashanti Region, which has long been seen as the bastion of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), have escalated as the country's much-anticipated general election approaches. The region's political landscape has seen a dramatic change as over 20,000 NPP members have publicly declared their intention to defect to the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

A strong sense of betrayal and annoyance is the root cause of the large defection of NPP followers, who blame the party leadership for ignoring their work and breaking pledges made during earlier elections. A well-known leader of one of the NPP's campaign groups brought the dissatisfaction to light during a news conference by expressing his disgust and rage.

The campaign leader told reporters that the issue had reached a crucial position with only six days left before the election. The leader clarified, "It's unbelievable that we're here, only a few days before the election, and some of us are still wearing NPP T-shirts, while others aren't." "We are extremely angry and dissatisfied with the NPP leaders."

The spokesperson went on to highlight the painstaking efforts of campaigners throughout the Ashanti Region, explaining how they had visited each of the 24 constituencies, interacting with voters and trying to persuade others to remain NPP supporters. In order to reach distant villages and towns, many members used their personal resources to conduct this enormous door-to-door campaign at their own expense. The group stated that despite their unrelenting efforts, party leaders had not delivered on their promises of incentives and financial support, which had caused their frustration to rise.

The leader stated, "We even went to Jubilee Park to make ourselves known to the NPP leadership, but nothing came of it." We are currently discussing about 20,000 individuals defecting to the NDC. The hard effort of its members is not valued by the NPP. We have come to the realization that, despite our sacrifices, we will never receive anything in return, even if we remain in the party for a millennium.

Given that the Ashanti Region has long been a pillar of the NPP's electoral success, this huge defection presents a significant obstacle for the party. The area has always provided the party with resounding support, making it a crucial battlefield in the next election. Numerous members leaving could seriously harm the NPP's chances in the area and could change the party's chances of winning the election as a whole.

However, the NDC, which views this as a significant political advantage, is taking advantage of the chance to accept the defectors into its fold. In an effort to capitalize on the disenchantment inside the NPP ranks, the NDC has stated that it is prepared to assimilate the new recruits.

In Ghanaian politics, the defection emphasizes the value and strength of grassroots support, highlighting the necessity for political parties to have solid ties with their supporters. In the run-up to election day, the party's inability to recognize the sacrifices and hard work of its members may have long-term costs.

As Ghanaians cast their ballots, the Ashanti Region's shifting allegiances are probably going to have a significant impact on the election's result. The importance of party allegiance, recognition, and leadership in influencing the nation's political climate is brought home by this unexpected occurrence.

This political change is not only a warning to the NPP, but it also shows how crucial it is becoming to have solid, genuine relationships with voters, especially those who are the foundation of election campaigns.

All eyes will be on the Ashanti Region in the closing days before the election, as the NDC seeks to take advantage of this surprising development while the NPP tries to win back the confidence of its disenchanted supporters. The effects of these defections are still unknown, but they could potentially upend Ghana's political future as the election draws near.