Former Speaker of Parliament, Professor Mike Oquaye, has criticised what he describes as divisive campaigning by some New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopefuls, calling instead for a clean, issue-based contest rooted in rich ideas for both the party and Ghana.

Speaking at the launch of the party’s new ideological centre, the Patriotic Institute, in Accra, the NPP stalwart advocated for a progressive and unifying campaign. He urged aspirants who resort to tearing the party apart with their utterances to be guided by history and focus on substance over personal attacks.

"I saw with my own eyes the spirit of respect and cooperation among them—Dankwa, Busia and Dombo,” Prof. Oquaye said, recalling how past leaders of the NPP tradition upheld mutual respect and prioritised party unity.

“We must all learn from this. When President Kufuor was about to leave office with dignity and honour, and we had our conference in 2007, we followed that example. Everyone focused on one thing: ‘What will I do if fortune smiles on me and I’m elected? And what have I done before?’”

He continued, “I am praying that all potential aspirants emulate our founding patriots. Let every candidate tell Ghanaians what they themselves have achieved in life, what they have done for the party, and what they intend to do for Ghana if elected as the NPP’s presidential candidate.”

Prof. Oquaye concluded by calling on the party to reject individuals whose words and actions sow seeds of division, stressing the need for unity as the party prepares for its next internal contest.