A section of Ghanaians have strongly condemned comments by Abetifi MP and NPP flagbearer hopeful, Dr Bryan Acheampong, over what many describe as an unfortunate resort to tribal politics against former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
Dr Acheampong, addressing party supporters on August 23, argued that the NPP’s 2024 defeat was largely due to what he called “tribal dynamics” surrounding Dr Bawumia’s candidature.
His remarks have sparked widespread backlash, with critics warning that such sentiments threaten national cohesion.
The former Agric Minister claimed that while former Presidents Kufuor and Akufo-Addo won overwhelming support across northern constituencies, Dr Bawumia’s candidacy was undermined by long-standing rivalries between Mamprusis and Kusasis.
He argued that this tribal divide contributed to the NPP’s losses across the northern belt, including Oti, Upper East, Upper West and the Northern Region.
His comments, however, have been dismissed by many Ghanaians as divisive and unnecessary.
Civil society voices and ordinary citizens alike have stressed that reducing Bawumia’s electoral loss to tribal politics disrespects both the Vice President’s legacy and the maturity of Ghana’s democracy.
According to critics, Acheampong’s remarks risk deepening ethnic divisions at a time when unity should be the priority for a party seeking to return to power in 2028.
Many have called on him to focus instead on policy-driven solutions and inclusive leadership.
Dr Bawumia, who served as Vice President between 2017 and 2025, is widely recognised for his role in Ghana’s digital transformation and economic management.
His defenders argue that the 2024 electoral outcome was shaped by a complex mix of political, economic, and governance factors—not simply tribal considerations.
The chorus of criticism against Acheampong underscores Ghanaians’ rejection of identity-based politics in favour of issue-driven national discourse.