Kofi Tonto, a political aide to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, former vice president and flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has strongly criticized the factionalism along tribal lines within the party’s presidential aspirant camps.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Point of View program monitored by Kumasimail, Tonto described such divisions as “insensitive and disrespectful to the people of Ghana.”
The recent primary season of the NPP has been marred by accusations of ethnic polarization, with some party members alleging that tribal considerations influenced voter preferences.
On Saturday, August 23, Dr. Bryan Acheampong, Member of Parliament for Abetifi and a presidential hopeful, pointedly linked the NPP’s poor showing in the 2024 general elections to tribal dynamics.
Acheampong argued that Dr. Bawumia’s candidacy failed to unite northern voters, suggesting that the previous flagbearers, former Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo garnered wider northern support because they were perceived as ethnically neutral figures in the sensitive northern ethnic landscape.
However, Kofi Tonto vehemently rejected this tribal framing, emphasizing that the electorate’s priorities are shifting away from ethnic or religious identities.
Speaking live during the panel discussion, he said, “In 2028, I believe the main preoccupation for voters will not be the tribal or religious background of a candidate but the ability of a candidate to transform lives and fulfill citizens’ dreams and aspirations.”
Tonto highlighted the changing demographic composition of Ghana’s voting population as a key factor in this shift, noting the increasing influence of younger voters, particularly Generation Z and millennials.
According to him, these generations tend to be more inclusive, valuing ideas and vision over ethnicity or religious affiliation.
“The data clearly shows that Gen Z’s and millennials will make up a larger share of the voter population. They are inclusive people who welcome all viewpoints and backgrounds. To focus on tribal and religious sentiments is to fundamentally misunderstand the evolving Ghanaian voter.”
He further condemned attempts by certain groups within the NPP to politicize sensitive ethnic issues for electoral advantage, calling such tactics “outright disrespectful” to the Ghanaian people.
“We have the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu, addressing a very thorny national issue with the aim of uniting our country’s talent and potential. It is disappointing for some political factions to exploit this sensitive matter for political gain. That is not what the NPP represents. That is not what the people of Ghana stand for.”
Again, Tonto concluded by affirming Dr. Bawumia’s camp commitment to focusing on policies and messages that unite rather than divide.
“We will not denigrate any group or tribe in Ghana. Our message will resonate with a nation that is gradually becoming one people, transcending tribal boundaries.”
Source: www.Kumasimail/Kwadwo Owusu
