Political scientist, Dr. Kwame Asah-Asante, has criticised the New Patriotic Party (NPP) over plans to apologise to President John Dramani Mahama for offensive remarks made by the party’s Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
According to him, politics should be based on ideas and policies, not personal attacks, noting that the NPP wouldn’t have apologised if Mahama had lost the 2024 elections.
Speaking on Morning Starr with Naa Dedei Tettey on Thursday, June 12, Dr. Asah-Asante stressed that genuine political maturity requires speaking up at the right time, not only when circumstances shift.
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He said, “Politics, there is nothing wrong campaigning that I will make sure you come to power, that’s normal. That is civil. Okay. We in Political science, we don’t teach insults. Politics is not about insults. It is not. It is when you lack argument, then you resort to insults. It is when you lack argument, you resort to insults. Face your opponents with all your arguments, martial all your forces and all that. And then you turn them in a form of argument and face your opponent. That is the mark of a politician who is ready to win power and then continue to govern.”
He described the apology as potentially insincere and motivated by Mahama’s victory, rather than a true sense of remorse.
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“But when you treat insults, I’m afraid you will obviously find yourself in this tight corner. And then you want to give him an apology. But how would the person who has been abused would be able to accept this? Especially when you do not have power, opportunity to retain power? And he has. Is it the case that he has power? That is why. If Mahama had lost, would you gather the courage? Would that team would want to go and beg? Would they have the courage to go to Mahama’s home? You see, this hypocrisy in Ghanaian politics matters. And we must attend and believe in politics.”
Dr. Asah-Asante’s comments follow report by Effiduase-Asokore MP, Dr. Nana Ayew Afriyie, who disclosed on Channel One TV that some NPP stalwarts are working behind the scenes to offer an apology to Mahama for Chairman Wontumi’s controversial remarks made during the 2024 campaign.
Dr. Afriyie defended the move as a sign of humility and internal reflection, saying the apology is not about public image, but an attempt to uphold respect and responsibility within the party.
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Chairman Wontumi’s remarks, which were widely circulated on social media, sparked public outrage during the election season. Many Ghanaians, including members of his own party, condemned the comments as excessive and disrespectful.
While the NPP has not officially confirmed the apology, the conversation has reignited broader concerns about political decorum and accountability in Ghana’s democracy.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Hamdia Mohammed
