Oquaye Report Leaks: Bawumia’s Debate Call Described as ‘Reckless’ and ‘Suicidal’

A leaked excerpt from the confidential Mike Oquaye Report has revealed damning details about the internal missteps that led to the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) crushing defeat in the 2024 general elections, pointing directly at the party’s presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

The report, which was officially presented to the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) last week, has not been made public. However, portions of the report, now in circulation, reveal fierce criticism of Dr. Bawumia’s campaign strategy, particularly his controversial call for a public debate in the heat of the election season.

Describing the move as “complete political suicide,” former Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko, who authored a scathing section on page 38 of the report, minced no words in expressing his dismay.

“Dr. Bawumia’s call for debate was a complete political suicide. It was a gross disrespect to the business community, an insult to the market women and a reckless disregard for the suffering Ghanaians,” Agyarko wrote.

He referenced the economic hardship that characterized the latter years of the NPP administration, juxtaposing Bawumia’s earlier reputation as an economic messiah with the harsh reality of a depreciating currency.

“After taunting your economic prowess and organising series of lectures on exchange rate in opposition, you’ve moved it from 4GHS-1$ to 16GHS-1$ within 8 years,” he lamented.

Agyarko also recounted a tense moment with a leading member of the campaign team, Miracle Aboagye, during which he tried to advise against the debate strategy.

“When I reached out to advise him to back off on the debate crusade, Miracle Aboagye asked me if I am done telling Ghanaians my side of the story on the Ameri deal or if the dust had still not settled,” Agyarko revealed, adding, “It was at that moment I realised there was doom awaiting the NPP and it was just a matter of time.”

The Mike Oquaye Report was commissioned shortly after the December 2024 elections to investigate the reasons behind the party’s poor showing, which saw them lose both the presidency and their parliamentary majority. Though the full report remains under wraps, insiders say it contains wide-ranging criticism of the campaign machinery, internal divisions, and a growing disconnect between party leadership and the grassroots.

Pressure is now mounting on the NEC to make the report public, with some party activists and civil society groups arguing that full disclosure is the only way to begin the healing process and rebuild ahead of the next election cycle.

Meanwhile, the NPP’s leadership has yet to comment officially on the leaked excerpts.