I did not say Bawumia is a slave – Asante Akim-South MP breaks silence after NPP ‘slap’

The Member of Parliament for Asante Akim South, Kwaku Asante Boateng, has denied claims that he referred to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as a “slave” within the party, calling the accusation “false, dishonest, and a gross distortion” of his intent.

In a statement, the MP said, “For the avoidance of doubt, I wish to categorically and unequivocally refute the malicious claim that I described Dr. Bawumia as a “slave” in the Party. Such a claim is false, dishonest, and a gross distortion of my intent. At no point did I use, imply, or endorse such language. The interview is public and available on YouTube for anyone who seeks the truth. My comments were contextual and focused solely on the circumstances surrounding his nomination, not his person, ethnicity, or religion”.

He further condemned what he describes as a “calculated and shameful attempt” to distort remarks he made during a recent appearance on Adom TV’s Badwam program.

“My attention has been drawn to a calculated and shameful attempt to twist and misrepresent comments I made during an interview on Badwam, aired on Adom TV last week Wednesday. These distortions seek to inject religion and ethnicity into a discussion that was purely about loyalty, sacrifice, and service to the New Patriotic Party (NPP). During that interview, I drew an analogy rooted in Asante chieftaincy traditions to explain a clear political principle. Leadership in the NPP is earned through long-standing commitment, sacrifice, and service, especially in the most difficult moments of our party’s history. That was the essence of my point and nothing more,” he indicated.

Read the full statement below

STATEMENT BY HON. KWAKU ASANTE-BOATENG, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR ASANTE AKYEM SOUTH, ON THE DELIBERATE MISINTERPRETATION OF HIS COMMENTS ON ADOM TV’S BADWAM PROGRAM

My attention has been drawn to a calculated and shameful attempt to twist and misrepresent comments I made during an interview on Badwam, aired on Adom TV last week Wednesday. These distortions seek to inject religion and ethnicity into a discussion that was purely about loyalty, sacrifice, and service to the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

During that interview, I drew an analogy rooted in Asante chieftaincy traditions to explain a clear political principle. Leadership in the NPP is earned through long-standing commitment, sacrifice, and service, especially in the most difficult moments of our party’s history. That was the essence of my point and nothing more.

In that context, I referenced the political trajectory of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. At the time of his nomination in 2008 as the NPP’s Vice-Presidential Candidate, he was relatively new to the party’s internal structures and was described as a “stranger” only in the sense that he had limited prior involvement in the grassroots operations of the NPP. My point was that despite this, the Party granted him a position of immense trust and responsibility, a major honour and privilege, even though many long-serving members also possessed the competence and experience for such a role.

Since then, Dr. Bawumia has served eight years as running mate and another eight years as Vice President and Head of the Economic Management Team. His service is acknowledged and appreciated. However, service, no matter how noble, does not automatically confer a right to be President. Over three decades, many stalwarts have bled, sacrificed, and risked everything for the NPP since 1992, and they too deserve recognition and fair consideration. That is the principle I defended.

For the avoidance of doubt, I wish to categorically and unequivocally refute the malicious claim that I described Dr. Bawumia as a “slave” in the Party. Such a claim is false, dishonest, and a gross distortion of my intent. At no point did I use, imply, or endorse such language. The interview is public and available on YouTube for anyone who seeks the truth. My comments were contextual and focused solely on the circumstances surrounding his nomination, not his person, ethnicity, or religion.

Indeed, I explicitly acknowledged that at the time of his selection, the Party had many distinguished Northerners who had served with dedication and distinction, including Hon. Ambrose Dery, Hon. Malik Alhassan Yakubu, Hajia Alima Mahama, Alhaji Mustapha Iddris Ali, Prof. Kassim Kasanga, Ben Salifu, Prince Imoru Andani, Mohamed Salifu, Mogtari Sahanun, Boniface Abubakar Sadique, Boniface Agambila, and M. N. D. Jawula, among others. These patriots earned respect through years of loyalty and sacrifice.

To now suggest that my comments carried ethnic or religious undertones is not only malicious but dangerously divisive. It is disappointing that respected voices, including Manasseh Azure Awuni, have repeated these false claims without evidence. It is equally unfortunate that the NPP General Secretary was misled to issue a statement based on this same distortion.

I urge all party members, supporters, and the general public to disregard the mischievous narratives being circulated by elements seeking to create disaffection and internal discord. My commitment to the New Patriotic Party remains unwavering, and my dedication to its ideals of unity, meritocracy, inclusivity, and progress remains resolute.

I will not allow my name or my record to be weaponized to divide the NPP along ethnic or religious lines. We must all reject such narratives that serve the interests of a few while undermining the unity, cohesion, and values of the great Party we have collectively built.

Thank you.

Hon. Kwaku Asante-Boateng

Member of Parliament

Asante Akim South Constituency