‘Electing Kojo Bamba is backward politics’ – Mustapha Gbande

Mustapha Gbande, Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has criticised the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for electing Kojo Fosu Boadu, also known as Kojo Bamba, as their First Vice Chairman. Gbande described this outcome as "backward politics," arguing that the party's choice sends a message of violence that Ghana has moved beyond.

Gbande highlighted Bamba's past association with a pro-NPP vigilante group, the Delta Force, and his leadership in a confrontation over the appointment of George Adjei as Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator. This group was involved in a conflict in 2017. Despite acknowledging Bamba's grassroots political experience, Gbande questioned the message the NPP's leadership was sending by electing him to such a senior position.

The NDC leader also dismissed suggestions that the NPP's new leadership might rely on violence or other means to influence future elections. He stated that Ghana's electoral system had advanced to a point where parties that lose public support would simply accept defeat. Gbande further claimed that the NPP had once planned to deploy military personnel to support their electoral efforts, but his party prevented this move.

While acknowledging Bamba's background, Gbande emphasized that political parties require a mix of skills and personalities during election campaigns. He noted that political parties seek a diverse range of individuals, including bodyguards, operatives, and intellectuals, to ensure they have the necessary expertise for the various aspects of electoral contests.