2024 flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has responded to what he referred to as “unfortunate” tribal and religious criticisms aimed at his campaign to lead the party into the 2028 general elections.
During his address at the 33rd anniversary event of the NPP’s United States branch in New York, Dr. Bawumia voiced his concern over the use of what he described as “bigotry” by some of his fellow contenders.
His remarks came in response to statements circulating from the camps of other flagbearer hopefuls including Bryan Acheampong, who urged delegates to reconsider Bawumia’s candidacy due to the Mamprusi-Kusasi tensions, which he claimed negatively impacted the party’s performance in the 2024 elections.
Dr. Bawumia emphasized that such rhetoric was inconsistent with the core principles of the NPP.
“An opponent has said delegates should not vote for me because I am Mamprusi and that we will lose votes in the Kusasi areas. This is so unfortunate. Another contender against me, has also been promoting the religion card against me,” he said.
Dr. Bawumia further pointed to additional examples of what he labeled “religious and tribal bigotry,” including attacks on his wife, Samira, who has been accused of being “not a true Ghanaian”.
“Recently, Mr Asomah Cheremeh, a former minister, former ambassador and former regional chairman of Bono and a coordinator for Kennedy Agyapong, has introduced a new argument into the mix. He says that delegates should not vote for me because my wife Samira is not a true Ghanaian. Really??? So how can we campaign to minorities in a general election? Just unbelievable,” Dr Bawumia fumed.
He questioned the timing of these criticisms, noting that his past service to the party had never been framed in terms of ethnicity or religion.
“When I was defending the party in the Supreme Court in 2013, they did not say that I was a Mamprusi, a northerner or a Muslim. When I was giving lectures and campaigning for the party to come into office in 2016, they did not say that I was a Mamprusi, a northerner or a Muslim.
“When my campaign in the north made the difference in our winning the 2020 election, they did not say I was a Mamprusi, a northerner or a Muslim. When Samira was campaigning the length and breadth of Ghana for the party, they did not say she was not a true Ghanaian. So what has changed? Why now?” he asked.
Although he expressed regret over the nature of the attacks, Dr. Bawumia remained optimistic that such divisive views would not gain traction within the NPP.
“The NPP will always triumph over tribal and religious bigots. Let us be clear that these views do not represent the views of the rank and file of the party.”
The former Vice President reaffirmed the party’s longstanding commitment to inclusivity.
“We have been the party that has over the years offered hope to the largest diversity of our peoples. Under our tent it has not mattered where you come from. Whether you are a Sefwi, Fante, Ewe, Ashanti, Ga-Dangbe, Krobo, Dagomba, Wala, Dagarti, Konkomba, Frafra, Kusasi or Mamprusi.
“It has not mattered what religion you practice, whether you are a Christian, Muslim or a traditional African religious practitioner. It has not mattered whether you are rich or poor or whether you are formally educated or not,” he noted.
