The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) defeat in the recent elections has been attributed to poor communication by Lawyer Adomako Baafi.
Speaking on the matter on Wontumi TV’s Wontumi Morning show with Oheneba Asiedu, Lawyer Baafi expressed disappointment that the Prof. Mike Ocquaye committee, set up to investigate the party’s defeat, does not have a communication specialist.
“In today’s world, you cannot do anything without effective communication,” Baafi stated. “One of the mistakes that led to our defeat was our poor relationship with the media. Our communication was so bad that it got to a point where the media ganged up against the few loyal people in the party.”
Baafi questioned how an opposition party could outdo the ruling party in terms of advertising prior to the elections, highlighting the NPP’s failure to effectively utilize communication channels.
“We took communication for granted, but the media has the power to shape public opinion and set agendas,” he said.
Citing Malcolm X, Baafi noted, “The media can make the innocent guilty and the guilty innocent through agenda-setting.”
He pointed to the influence of media personalities like Captain Smart, who he claimed had a significant impact on public opinion in Obuasi. “This empty barrel was able to influence people to the extent that even intellectuals believed him”, he said.
Baafi emphasized the need for the NPP to learn from its mistakes and bridge the gap with the media.
“We must recognize the importance of effective communication and work to improve our relationship with the media,” he concluded.