Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has called on his political rival, National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer John Dramani Mahama, to run a campaign focused on constructive ideas rather than resorting to insults and verbal attacks.
Dr. Bawumia’s remarks responded to Mahama’s recent critiques of various societal leaders and groups.
Mahama had accused clergy, traditional leaders, and civil society organizations (CSOs) of failing to hold the NPP government accountable and being hypocritical for praising the current administration despite its alleged failures.
During his campaign tour in the Greater Accra Region, Dr Bawumia expressed disappointment in Mahama’s approach, suggesting that Mahama’s criticisms reflect frustration over the potential loss in the upcoming elections.
“He’s realized he is about to lose miserably, so everything angers him. I have heard him insulting the clergy, traditional leaders, Imams, and CSOs. He says they are hypocrites,” Bawumia said.
Dr Bawumia emphasized that the election should be about presenting viable solutions to the nation’s problems rather than engaging in personal attacks.
“We must have at least some standards of decency in the language we speak as politicians.
The elections are not about insults; they are about ideas. It is when you have no idea that you are insulting people. For us, we have bold solutions to problems,” he asserted.
Mahama made the comments during a campaign event in the Okaikwei North Constituency, where he urged voters to unite and reject the current government’s performance.
He criticized the support from traditional and religious leaders for the NPP, calling it a hindrance to national development due to perceived hypocrisy.
In response, Dr Bawumia called for a more respectful and idea-focused campaign approach, stressing that meaningful political discourse should be grounded in policy solutions and constructive debate rather than personal attacks.
As the December elections approach, the contrasting strategies and rhetoric of the NPP and NDC reflect the high stakes and intense competition in Ghana’s political arena.
