Apologize for endorsing tribalism with ‘Akyem Sakawa’ comments – Bawumia to Mahama

Vice president, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is asking former President, John Dramani Mahama to apologize to the people of Akyem for endorsing ethnocentric comments against the ethnic group.

It comes after President Akufo Addo’s criticism of Mr. Mahama, for allegedly fanning ethnocentric comments against the Akyems.

Although the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer has denied making such distasteful comment, Dr. Bawumia maintains that Mr. Mahama’s comment is unfortunate.

Speaking during his tour of Gusehgu in the Northern Region, Dr. Bawumia cautioned the 2020 election will be won based on competence and not on tribalism.

“We don’t want a president who divides. We want a president who unites and so the recent utterance by John Mahama referring to Akyems as Sakawa boys; how do you take a whole tribe and say they are sakawa. You cannot win this Presidency with tribalism. Ghana has gone beyond tribalism.

“Come and show your competence in the delivery for the people of Ghana. But because you cannot show your competence. You are resorting to tribalism. We will not stand for tribalism and so we will continue to call on John Mahama to apologise unreservedly for what he has endorsed. This election is going to be fought on our record but not on tribalism.”

A post by the Bolgatanga Central MP, Isaac Adongo, describes elements from the New Patriotic Party as “Akyem Sakawa Boys” in relation to the controversial Agyapa Royalties deal.

The article was shared on the Facebook page of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Mahama.

Already, President Akufo-Addo has questioned the silence of senior citizens over the comment.