Former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has strongly criticized what he described as divisive tribal and religious rhetoric being used against him by some contenders in the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) presidential primaries.
Speaking to party supporters in New York on Sunday night during the 33rd Anniversary of NPP USA, Dr. Bawumia expressed dismay at the nature of the campaign tactics employed by certain internal rivals, which he said reflect the views of “bigots” rather than the core principles of the NPP.
His remarks came in response to a widely circulated video featuring flagbearer hopeful Bryan Acheampong, who told delegates that the party should replace Bawumia as its presidential candidate. Acheampong claimed that Bawumia’s Mamprusi heritage contributed to the NPP’s loss of Kusasi votes in the 2024 elections due to longstanding tensions between the Mamprusi and Kusasi communities.
Dr. Bawumia labeled Acheampong’s comments as “tribal bigotry” and lamented the use of his ethnic and religious background as a political weapon.
“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,” he said. “Another contender against me, has also been promoting the religion card against me.”
Dr. Bawumia went on to cite further examples of what he called “tribal and religious intolerance,” including a recent statement by Asomah-Cheremeh, a former minister, ambassador, and regional chairman of the Bono Region, who now serves as a campaign coordinator for Kennedy Agyapong. Asomah-Cheremeh reportedly urged delegates not to support Bawumia’s candidacy because his wife, Samira, was “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.”
The former Vice President said these attacks have revealed the “desperation and recklessness” of some of his opponents, questioning why such criticisms were absent during his years of service to the party.
“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,” he said.
“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?”
Despite his disappointment, Dr. Bawumia remained hopeful, asserting that the tribal and religious attacks would not succeed. He emphasized that such views do not reflect the broader sentiments of the NPP.
“Let us be clear that these views do not represent the views of the rank and file of the party,” he said.
“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.”
Dr. Bawumia concluded by reaffirming his belief that the NPP would rise above such divisive tactics: “The NPP will always overcome tribal and religious bigotry.”
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