Presidential candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has denounced what he refers to as tribal and religious propaganda being utilized against him by other candidates in the lead-up to the party’s 2026 primaries.
Addressing party supporters on Sunday, August 24, the former Vice President cautioned that such campaign strategies could exacerbate divisions within the NPP and distract from the genuine reasons behind the party’s defeat in the 2024 elections.
“As we approach the primaries, I am deeply troubled that some of our presidential candidates have resorted to religious and tribal prejudice against me,” Dr. Bawumia stated.
“In their frantic quest for votes, they overlook the data explaining our loss in the 2024 election and instead mislead delegates with propaganda.”
He claimed that one candidate had advised delegates not to support him solely because he is Mamprusi, asserting that this would jeopardize the party’s backing in Kusasi areas.
“This is extremely regrettable and shows a total misunderstanding of the circumstances,” he remarked.
Dr. Bawumia’s comments come in response to recent statements made by Dr. Bryan Acheampong, MP for Abetifi and another contender for the flagbearer position, who suggested that Bawumia’s candidacy in 2024 alienated certain northern voters due to historical ethnic tensions.
Mr. Acheampong indicated that previous NPP leaders like John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Akufo-Addo had been more successful in the north because they were perceived as neutral in tribal matters.
Dismissing this viewpoint, Dr. Bawumia maintained that ethnic arguments are baseless and merely serve to distract from the real lessons of the 2024 defeat.
He called on candidates to concentrate on strategies grounded in evidence and to foster unity rather than engage in divisive rhetoric.
“Our survival as a party hinges on unity and truth, not on inciting fear and prejudice,” he emphasized.
“If we permit such propaganda to prevail, it will undermine us in both the primaries and the general election.”
