Former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has described as dangerous and divisive the recent comment by Asante Akim South Member of Parliament, Kwaku Asante Boateng, who labelled him a “stranger” in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and unfit to lead the party as its flagbearer.
Dr Bawumia, who broke his silence during a meeting with delegates in the Oti Region on Sunday, said the remark undermines the NPP’s founding principles of unity and inclusivity.
The former Vice President, who is seeking to lead the party into the 2028 general elections, said such divisive rhetoric runs contrary to the Danquah-Dombo-Busia tradition that defines the NPP’s heritage.
“Those who say this don’t understand the history of our tradition. They don’t know that our tradition brought different ethnic groups together to form the UP, which we have our history from,” he said. “Our tradition is the Danquah-Dombo-Busia tradition, and this is a tradition which was formed by all the main tribes across Ghana. This is the tradition of the NPP.”
Dr Bawumia noted that despite his long and dedicated service to the party, some opponents have chosen to attack his background for political gain. “Today some of my opponents say I am an outsider and stranger who does not deserve to lead the party because of where I come from. This is dangerous, divisive and contrary to the diversity of our unifying tradition,” he said.
The former Vice President recounted his years of commitment to the NPP, highlighting his contributions at various levels of the party, both in opposition and in government. “I have sacrificed and served the party in many forms — in campaigns, lectures, and being a star witness at the Supreme Court in opposition. I’ve had a serious accident serving this party and I’ve lost some big jobs. I’ve been a running mate four times, I’ve served as Vice President for two terms and I’ve been a flagbearer,” he said.
He questioned how, after nearly two decades of service, anyone could still consider him an outsider. “If Dr Bawumia, after 17 years of service to the party, is described as an outsider and stranger, how do we grow the party to attract new members from all parts of Ghana?” he asked.
Dr Bawumia urged members of the NPP to reject tribal and exclusionary politics and instead uphold the party’s long-standing values of unity, tolerance and mutual respect. 
“Such talks create division and we don’t need it in our party. We don’t need this in Ghana. What we need is unity and respect for all members in our party, so we should all reject such divisive comment,” he said.
He appealed to delegates to support his bid for the NPP flagbearership and send a strong message that leadership in the party is open to all, regardless of ethnic or regional background.
“It does not matter whether you are Dagomba, Ga, Dangbe, Sefwi, Ewe, Dagarti, Wala, Bono, Asante, Akyem, Kwahu, Mamprusi, Kusasi, Konkomba, Fante, Frafra, Guan or Gonja, Sisala, Kasena, Kotokoli, Bimoba, Chakosi, etc. Any member from any part of the country can lead the party if you are capable,” he said.
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