Minority Leader in Parliament Alexander Afenyo-Markin has dismissed claims that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is an ethnically exclusive organisation, insisting that the party is built on diversity and equal opportunity for all Ghanaians.
Addressing students at a forum organised by the Young Commons Forum (YCF) of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and Kumasi Technical University on Saturday, June 20, Mr Afenyo-Markin described such criticisms as “completely false”.
He pointed to the party’s 2024 flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, as clear evidence of the NPP’s inclusive nature.
“Dr. Bawumia himself is not from any Akan tribe, he is a Mamprusi man, he is a Muslim,” Afenyo-Markin said. “But the party did not say that because he is a Muslim and a Mamprusi, he doesn’t deserve that honour. The party said because of his hard work and loyalty, he should lead the party.”
The Minority Leader urged students to reject attempts to divide the party along ethnic lines, saying the NPP has consistently promoted inclusiveness across all groups in Ghana.
“If you are a student and somebody wants to take you away from NPP by telling you that the NPP belongs to some group of people or a particular ethnic group, tell that person that our party is a party of diversity and inclusiveness,” he said.
He added that the NPP “cherishes diversity” and offers equal opportunity to all citizens regardless of tribe or background.
Mr Afenyo-Markin also used the platform to criticise the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), predicting that the party would return to opposition in future elections.
“The NDC is going back to opposition whether they like it or not,” he said.
Editor:
Obiri-Yeboah
