“We Must Bury Tribal Politics – Or Risk NPP’s Future” – Kufuor

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has issued a stern warning to the New Patriotic Party (NPP), cautioning against the growing influence of tribal and religious bias within its ranks.

Speaking at the official launch of the Patriotic Institute—an ideological think tank for the NPP—held in Accra this morning, Kufuor addressed the increasingly divisive tone creeping into the party’s internal discourse, especially as the race for the 2028 flagbearer heats up.

He emphasized that such rhetoric only reinforces the damaging stereotype that the NPP is a “tribal party”—a label he warned the party must shed if it hopes to remain nationally relevant.

“We are democratic and we uphold common humanity,” he declared to loud applause. “Democracy doesn’t cater to tribe, religion, or gender—it’s about the individual. One man, one vote.”

Kufuor urged his fellow party members to select leaders based on their capacity to unite and solve problems for all Ghanaians—not just a select group.

“If we want power, let’s present a candidate who can appeal to the general electorate,” he added. “Not someone whose strength lies in tribal or religious affiliation.”

The former President expressed deep concern that some NPP members are fueling divisive narratives from within, giving their political opponents more ammunition.

“When such talk comes from our own mouths, then I tell you—we are perpetuating it ourselves,” he warned. “We risk falling into the very trap we’ve long tried to escape.”

Kufuor ended with a clear call to action: the NPP must rise above identity politics and return to the values of unity, inclusiveness, and national purpose.

“Let’s stop digging the rat hole. We need to lift ourselves—and our party—out of it.”