Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the former Vice President and 2028 flagbearer hopeful for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has condemned Kwaku Asante Boateng, the MP for Asante Akyim South, for questioning his suitability to become the party’s presidential candidate.
Asante Boateng has, in a recent comment, described Dr. Bawumia as a “stranger” within the NPP who doesn’t deserve the role he is aspiring for.
But, during his tour of the Oti region on Sunday, November 9, 2025, Dr. Bawumia said the comments do not auger well for the party’s fortunes and contravene the unifying traditions of the NPP.
“Today, some of my opponents say I am an outsider and a 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 stated.
Asante Boateng’s comments were condemned by the party’s national secretariat, the Ashanti Regional Parliamentary Caucus, and other party groups.
Bawumia reiterated that the NPP is a party which traces its roots to the United Party (UP), which brought together people from diverse ethnic groups in the country, making such a comment from the lawmaker unfortunate.
“Those who say this don’t understand our history. Our tradition is the Danquah-Dombo-Busia tradition, formed by all the main tribes across Ghana. This is the tradition of the NPP,” he said.
Dr. Bawumia also stressed on how he has long-served the party, including four stints as a running mate, two terms as Vice President, and involvement in campaigns, lectures, and Supreme Court proceedings. He emphasised that personal sacrifice and commitment should outweigh tribal origin in assessing leadership.
“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.
He called on members of the NPP to reject such divisive rhetoric and instead embrace unity and respect for all party members.
He encouraged supporters to vote for him as the party’s flagbearer as a statement against tribal bigotry, saying, “Any member from any part of the country can lead the party if you are capable. It does not matter where you are—Dagomba, Ga, Dangbe, Sefwi, Ewe, Dagarti, Wala, Bono, Asante, Akyem, Kwahu, Mamprusi, Kusasi, Konkomba, Fante, Frafra, Guan, Gonja, Sisala, Kasena, Kotokoli, Bimoba, or Chakosi.”
