Member of Parliament for Asante-Akim South Constituency in the Ashanti Region, Mr. Kwaku Asante-Boateng, has dismissed reports alleging that he referred to former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as a “slave” in the New Patriotic Party (NPP), describing such claims as false and malicious.

In an official statement, he explained that his comments during an interview on Accra-based Adom TV had been misrepresented and taken out of context.

He called on party members, supporters, and the general public to disregard the misleading narrative.

"During the said interview, I mentioned that at the time of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia's nomination as the Vice Presidential Candidate, he was relatively new to the party's internal structures, a "stranger" only in the context of his limited prior involvement in NPP's grassroots operations: My point was that, despite this, the party honoured him with a position of immense trust and responsibility, even though several long-serving and dedicated members also possessed the requisite competence and experience for the role" he said in the statement.

He clarified that his remarks were strictly about the context of Dr. Bawumia’s nomination and "not on his person or his ethnicity."

Mr Asante-Boateng further highlighted that the NPP has a long history of distinguished Northerners who have served the party with commitment and excellence, citing figures such as Mr. Ambrose Dery, Mr. 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 had shown their unwavering support for the NPP's values and had earned respect through years of loyalty and sacrifice.

It is therefore disingenuous and unfortunate for anyone to suggest that my comments were an attack on Northerners or an attempt to sow division within the party," the statement reiterated.

He reaffirmed his loyalty to the NPP, emphasising his dedication to the party’s collective vision.

"I will continue to work with the leadership, membership, and grassroots structures of our great party to advance its vision for national transformation and prosperity under the principles of democracy, discipline, inclusivity, cohesion, and national unity," the statement added.