Bawumia Takes Responsibility for NPP’s Record – Kofi Tonto
By: Adwoa Nyarko Asiamah | 21 January 2026
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia believes in collective responsibility and has consistently accepted responsibility for both the successes and shortcomings of the New Patriotic Party while it was in government, according to his political aide and deputy spokesperson, Kofi Tonto.
Speaking on Pure FM, Kofi Tonto said Dr. Bawumia does not distance himself from the record of the NPP administration. He noted that when Dr. Bawumia was asked about his biggest regret in government, he openly admitted that the idea of using gold to support the local currency should have been implemented earlier.
According to Tonto, while President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo had the original vision for the policy, Dr. Bawumia played a critical role in supporting its implementation, particularly through the rollout of the Ghana Card, which made such reforms possible. He also highlighted Dr. Bawumia’s involvement in initiatives such as emergency healthcare services.
Kofi Tonto said Dr. Bawumia now finds himself in a situation where the NDC is attempting to create the impression that it originated the idea of using gold to stabilise the currency, despite the policy being developed under the NPP government.
He also expressed concern that some presidential hopefuls within the NPP have not been fair to Dr. Bawumia, especially in explaining why the party’s electoral support reduced in 2024. He said reasons often cited include claims that the Ashanti Region was neglected, allegations of financial mismanagement, and the banking sector clean-up.
On the banking sector reforms, Tonto explained that the policy was poorly understood by the public, leading many to believe that banks were deliberately collapsed, when in reality the exercise was meant to protect depositors and strengthen the financial system.
He questioned narratives suggesting that Dr. Bawumia lost the election because he is a Muslim or a northerner, describing such claims as unfair and divisive. He referenced President Akufo-Addo’s own statement that one of the darkest moments of his presidency was authorising the use of pensioners’ funds, a decision he said was unavoidable at the time. Tonto asked how such difficult economic decisions could reasonably be linked to religion or ethnicity.
According to him, the key issue going forward is what would motivate voters who did not support Dr. Bawumia in 2024 to reconsider their decision in 2028. He said this would require clearer communication of government policies, an end to disrespect and discrimination, and honest admission that not every policy worked as intended.
Kofi Tonto stressed that leadership is not only about introducing new ideas but also about conviction and the ability to heal divisions within the party and the country. He described it as unfortunate that tribal sentiments have emerged within the NPP, warning that people cannot be disrespected and then expected to vote in favour of those who demean them.
He further outlined Dr. Bawumia’s long-term vision for Ghana, citing countries such as Poland, which shifted from an over-saturated industrial economy to a service-based economy by investing in IT training for young people. He said such strategies now form the foundation of Poland’s economic success and reflect the kind of forward-looking thinking Dr. Bawumia promotes.
According to Tonto, it is impossible to build a modern society without a strong digital identification system, which he described as central to Dr. Bawumia’s vision. He added that while today’s economic challenges matter, Dr. Bawumia is focused on ensuring a stronger economy for the future.
Responding to claims that Dr. Bawumia was not part of the NPP in its early years, Tonto dismissed such arguments as unnecessary. He noted that none of the current aspirants were politically active at Ghana’s independence in 1957, stressing that leadership should be judged by vision, competence, and ideas rather than historical technicalities.
