- Bawumia condemns “tribal and religious campaigns” in Ghana’s NPP primaries
- Bryan Acheampong denies allegations after viral video fuels ethnic controversy
ACCRA, GHANA – Ghana’s opposition party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), is facing a bitter internal battle ahead of its January 2026 primaries, with tribal and religious accusations threatening to deepen divisions.
Former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, seen as one of the frontrunners, expressed disappointment over what he described as “unfortunate tribal and religious campaigns” directed at him.
His remarks came after a viral video circulated, allegedly showing rival aspirant Dr. Bryan Acheampong linking the NPP’s loss of Kusasi votes in 2024 to Bawumia’s Mampurusi heritage and the historic Mampurusi-Kusasi conflict.
Acheampong’s team swiftly dismissed the footage, calling it a “mischievously pieced-together” clip taken out of context. They said any suggestion that Acheampong was stoking ethnic divisions was “false and deliberately spun” to damage his reputation.
The controversy has nonetheless ignited debate within the party, with fears that Ghana’s largest opposition force could fracture along identity lines at a moment when unity is essential for challenging the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2028 general election.
Political fallout and leadership image
Political scientist Dr. Joshua Zaato warned that the episode could undermine Acheampong’s standing as a future leader.
“If Kennedy Agyapong had said this, nobody would care, because that is his true distinction – he is always a tribal, religious, and ethnic trailblazer,” Zaato told Allen Dreyfus.
“But people have seen Bryan Acheampong, along with others, as future flagbearers. The idea is that they are marketing themselves for the future, to show they can campaign nationwide. For him to then just come out and say this is shocking, surprising, and immediately removes him from this consideration,” he added.
Zaato added that by being forced to clarify his comments, Acheampong had already conceded ground.
“He has just set himself up; he has shot himself in the foot, and I don’t see how he recovers from it very well,” he said.
