Mustapha Gbande, the Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in charge of operations, has slammed the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for electing Kojo Fosu Boadu, commonly known as Kojo Bamba, as First Vice Chairman.
Gbande described the NPP decision as “backward politics.”
According to Mustapha Gbande, the NPP electing a former leader of a pro-NPP vigilante group to a senior party position projects a mindset of violence, adding that Ghana has moved beyond politics of violence.
Speaking on JoyNews’ AM show, Mustapha Gbande argued, “To go and elect, projecting the mindset of violence, for me is backward politics. We have reserves for all of these,” he said.
“So Ghana has moved beyond rigging of elections,” he said.
“If your political party misbehaves, your government misbehaves, it will go to opposition. Finito, nothing can be done. Nobody will be allowed to rig an election in this country again.”
He, however, acknowledged Kojo Bamba’s grassroots political experience but quizzed the message conveyed by his election.
Gbande added, “When we came to the scene, we were not bodyguards. We are analysts”.
He further noted that Bamba’s background does not by itself disqualify him from holding political office but added that political parties require different skills and personalities during election campaigns.
“For every election, you need everything, do you not? Whether it’s a bodyguard, whether it’s an operative, whether it’s an intellectual, you need all of it,” he said.
His comment follows Kojo Bamba, who was elected NPP 1st Vice Chairman after defeating twelve party heavyweights.
Kojo Bamba emerged victorious after beating off competition from 12 other candidates, including Dr Mustapha Abdul Hameed, Nana Akomea, Samuel Pyne, George Kwabena Abankwah Yeboah, Richard Ahiagba, Alhaji Masawudu Osman, Richard Oti Aboagye, Abena Pokua Boaitey Amoah, Yaa Amponsah Frimpong, Henry Nana Boakye, Horma Miez and Bright Esselfie Kumi.
Kojo Bamba was declared the winner of the 1st Vice Chairman position after securing 3,116 votes, with his immediate past National Organiser, Henry Nana Boakye, who obtained 3,061 votes, while Nana Akomea placed third with 2,987 votes.
Meanwhile, Kojo Bamba rose to prominence as a leader of the Delta Force, which was involved in a 2017 confrontation over the appointment of George Adjei as Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator.
Kojo Bamba later moved into the NPP’s formal structures and was appointed Deputy National Director of Operations of the party’s youth wing in 2018.
Also, Kojo Bamba has said he does not see himself as better than anyone else, adding that his ambition is not driven by personal success but by a desire to represent the hopes, dreams and aspirations of the youth.
He disclosed that he sees himself as a voice for the youth and is committed to creating opportunities that will give the next generation a fair chance to succeed.
In a social media post on October 4, 2026, Kojo Bamba wrote, “I do not see myself as better than anyone else. I see myself as a voice for the youth, a representative of their hopes, dreams and aspirations”.
“My ambition goes beyond personal success; it is about creating opportunities and ensuring that the next generation has a fair chance to rise.”
He further reflected on the political stakes, noting that the future of many young people could be affected if the NPP fails to return to power.
“So many destinies risk remaining in the shadows if we fail to restore power in 2028. Our youth deserve opportunities, our people deserve hope, and our future deserves a renewed commitment to progress,” he claimed.
@ghnow_ Kojo Fosu Boadu Bamba has been declared the winner of the NPP 1st Vice Chairman position at the party’s National Delegates Conference in Kumasi. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – patrioticdefenders backup
@ghnow_ Nikki Samonas arrived at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra for the Pete Edochie Legacy Project launch last night. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – BINEY_BOY LYRICS
