The campaign team of Hon. Dr. Bryan Acheampong has categorically refuted allegations stemming from a manipulated video circulating online, which purportedly shows Dr. Acheampong blaming former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for the Kusasi-Mamprusi conflict. The campaign team denounces the video as a deliberate misrepresentation of Dr. Acheampong’s actual words, achieved through malicious editing. They assert that the video extracts snippets of his speech out of context, thereby twisting his intended message and creating a false narrative. Instead of attributing blame to Dr. Bawumia, the campaign insists that Dr. Acheampong characterized him as a “victim of circumstance” within the complex dynamics of the conflict. They emphasize Dr. Acheampong’s profound respect for Dr. Bawumia’s leadership qualities and his significant contributions to peacebuilding efforts in the region. The campaign team urges the public to disregard the misleading video and seek out the complete, unedited recording of Dr. Acheampong’s remarks to gain an accurate understanding of his position.
The campaign statement goes beyond merely debunking the manipulated video. It delves into the broader political landscape, suggesting that the controversy is a product of calculated political maneuvering by opposition parties seeking to exploit existing tribal tensions for electoral gain. They posit that these parties aimed to weaken the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) performance in strategically important regions during the 2024 elections by sowing discord within the NPP and leveraging sensitive ethnic issues. The campaign argues that such divisive tactics necessitate a proactive and unified response from within the NPP to counter these attempts to destabilize the party and undermine its electoral prospects. This, they argue, is the crux of Dr. Acheampong’s message.
The statement underscores that Dr. Acheampong’s core message revolves around the imperative of party unity and strategic thinking, not around assigning blame or fostering division. It emphasizes that his campaign is fundamentally grounded in the principles of unity, transparency, and a results-oriented approach. Dr. Acheampong’s vision, according to the statement, is to galvanize the NPP around a winning strategy and a suitable candidate for future elections, thereby ensuring the party’s continued success. This, they claim, requires a clear understanding of the political challenges and the adoption of a cohesive and effective strategy to overcome them.
Furthermore, Dr. Acheampong’s campaign emphasizes a forward-looking perspective, focusing on the upcoming 2028 elections and the long-term success of the NPP. The campaign team positions Dr. Acheampong not merely as a contender for leadership within the party, but as a visionary leader capable of addressing long-standing national challenges and ultimately securing victory for the NPP in future elections. They portray him as someone who seeks to transcend internal political rivalries and focus on the broader national interest, thereby presenting him as a unifying figure.
The statement, therefore, serves a dual purpose: it refutes the distorted narrative presented by the edited video and simultaneously articulates Dr. Acheampong’s broader vision for the NPP and the nation. By clarifying his purported remarks about Dr. Bawumia and framing the controversy within a larger political context, the campaign seeks to portray Dr. Acheampong as a strategic thinker and unifier, rather than a divisive figure. This strategic communication aims to solidify support for his campaign within the NPP and position him as a strong contender for future leadership roles.
Looking ahead to the 2028 elections, the campaign highlights Dr. Acheampong’s commitment to addressing pressing national issues and delivering tangible results for the people. The statement effectively distances Dr. Acheampong from the divisive rhetoric presented in the manipulated video, instead emphasizing his focus on unity, strategic thinking, and results-oriented leadership. This positioning is crucial in building a strong foundation for his campaign and establishing him as a credible and unifying figure within the NPP, thus paving the way for his future political aspirations.
