Kofi Tonto, a political aide and deputy spokesperson for Dr Mahamudu Bawumia
Kofi Tonto, a political aide and deputy spokesperson for Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the former vice president of Ghana, has responded to recent claims suggesting the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is rooting for President John Mahama’s failure to secure a return to power.
In an exclusive interview on JoyNews, Tonto dismissed the notion, emphasising that the NPP’s political fortunes do not rely on the downfall of the current government.
Tonto highlighted that the NPP is pleased with recent economic improvements, which include a reduction in inflation rates, an appreciating cedi, and lowered fuel prices.
These developments, he noted, benefit all Ghanaians and should be seen as a positive sign for the nation’s economic recovery. “We are happy because, as the NPP, we don’t need President Mahama to fail for us to come back to power,” Tonto stated.
He underscored that the NPP’s primary concern should be the well-being of the country, rather than engaging in political gamesmanship.
“Ghanaians don’t think in a binary way, that one has to fail for the other to succeed,” he continued, stressing that national progress must take precedence over partisan politics.
Tonto’s statement reflects a growing sentiment that political success should be evaluated on the merits of policies and leadership, rather than the failure of opponents.
“We want President Mahama to succeed because his success is ultimately the success of Ghana,” Tonto explained.
“If Ghana prospers, everyone benefits, irrespective of political affiliation.” His comments reflect a commitment to national unity and the collective goal of lifting the country’s fortunes, irrespective of the party in power.
However, Tonto also pointed out that success does not guarantee automatic political survival.
Even if President Mahama were to achieve significant milestones in his administration, Ghanaians retain the constitutional right to choose a leadership direction that aligns with their aspirations.
“We believe that even in the face of Mahama’s success, Ghanaians can still decide that although you’ve done well, we need a leader whose vision transcends the ordinary,” he said.
This position, Tonto emphasised, does not mean that the NPP opposes progress. In fact, they welcome positive developments under Mahama’s leadership as long as they are in the best interests of the country.
For the NPP, the ultimate goal is to present a fresh vision for Ghana’s future, one that builds on existing successes while offering new possibilities for the nation.
