Kofi Tonto, a key aide to the 2024 New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has reiterated the campaign’s commitment to running an issue-based, unifying campaign devoid of tribal or religious undertones.
Speaking on Channel One TV, Mr. Tonto emphasised that the Bawumia team would firmly reject divisive rhetoric, describing such tactics as “irresponsible” and “insensitive” to the progress Ghana has made as a diverse yet united nation.
“We will focus on the message. We will not denigrate any group of people in Ghana. We will focus on the message because Ghana is gradually becoming a nation of one people in terms of even tribes,” he stated.
Highlighting the increasing inter-ethnic and inter-religious identity of the Ghanaian populace, Tonto said it was imperative for political campaigns to reflect that reality and rise above sectarian appeal. “Let us eschew tribal and religious bigotry. It is irresponsible. It is insensitive. It is not the right thing we must do as a political party,” he added.
His comments follow recent online controversy sparked by a widely circulated video of fellow NPP flagbearer hopeful Dr. Bryan Acheampong. The video allegedly implicated Dr. Bawumia in the historical Mamprusi-Kusasi conflict in northern Ghana — a suggestion that drew swift backlash online.
However, the Acheampong campaign has dismissed the allegations, stating over the weekend that the footage was “mischievously pieced together and venomously captioned.” They maintained that Dr. Acheampong’s comments were taken out of context in an attempt to stoke tribal tensions.
Kofi Tonto’s remarks appear to be a direct response to the incident, positioning the Bawumia campaign as one committed to unity and policy-driven discourse ahead of the 2024 general elections.
