A fresh political exchange over which of Ghana’s two major parties can claim the country’s intellectual class has erupted, with NDC communicator Mahdi Gibril taking a direct swipe at former NPP minister Shaykh Mustapha Hamid.

Mahdi Gibril has challenged Mustapha Hamid’s assertion that the NDC has attracted virtually all of Ghana’s intellectuals, arguing that the NPP’s own claim to intellectual superiority is based more on perception than reality. The remarks have been circulated by Kessben TV in a video featuring Gibril’s response.

‘They merely assume that they are intellectuals’

In his response, Mahdi Gibril took aim at what he described as the NPP’s perception of itself as the party of intellectuals.

He argued that simply regarding oneself as intellectually superior does not necessarily make it so.

His blunt assessment was:

“NPP merely assumes that they are intellectuals, but they are not.”

The statement immediately injects a sharper tone into the longstanding political debate over which party attracts the strongest pool of academics, professionals and policy thinkers.

Mustapha Hamid’s intellectuals claim challenged

Gibril’s comments were directed at Shaykh Mustapha Hamid, a former NPP minister and prominent figure within the party.

Hamid’s claim that the NDC has attracted all, or a dominant share, of Ghana’s intellectuals has now become the subject of a counterargument from the NDC side.

Rather than accepting the premise, Gibril sought to turn the argument around by questioning the NPP’s own claim to intellectual standing.

The intellectual battle behind Ghana’s politics

The exchange touches on a much bigger question that has featured prominently in Ghanaian partisan politics: Does one political party genuinely have a stronger intellectual base than the other?

Both the NDC and NPP have historically attracted academics, lawyers, economists, technocrats, researchers and other professionals.

Yet political parties frequently use the presence of prominent professionals within their ranks as evidence of their intellectual strength.

Gibril’s response challenges that approach, suggesting that the label of “intellectual” should not simply be claimed by a political organisation.

A debate that could get hotter

The comments are likely to add another layer to the increasingly competitive political discourse between the NDC and NPP as both parties position themselves for the next electoral battle.

For the NDC, the argument is not merely about numbers. It is also about whether intellectual credentials translate into sound judgement, effective policy and tangible results in government.

For the NPP, however, the response could provide an opportunity to defend its long-standing reputation for attracting technocrats and professionals.

The big question

At the heart of the exchange is a question that neither party can easily escape:

Who really has Ghana’s intellectual firepower — and how should it be measured?

Mahdi Gibril has clearly made his position known.

In his view, the NPP’s reputation as the party of intellectuals is more assumption than fact — and he is challenging the party to prove otherwise.

In a major political realignment ahead of the NPP’s national officers’ election, the Wontumi Campaign has formally endorsed former General Secretary John Boadu for the position of National Chairman, pledging to deploy its grassroots strength, structures and political influence behind his candidature.

The announcement, contained in a press statement dated September 8, 2026, follows a meeting between the leadership of Chairman Bernard Antwi Boasiako’s campaign and Wontumi at the facility in Nsawam where he is currently being held.

According to the statement, the decision was reached after extensive consultations with grassroots activists, constituency actors, campaign leaders, party elders and other stakeholders across the country.

Wontumi camp makes decisive move

The campaign described its decision to support John Boadu as deliberate and strategic, insisting that it was not the product of political pressure or convenience.

“We are convinced that the time has come to consolidate our strength, build bridges and unite the broadest possible political force for the task ahead,” the statement said.

The endorsement effectively places the organisational machinery associated with Wontumi behind Boadu as the NPP prepares for a crucial leadership contest that will shape the party’s direction ahead of the 2028 general election.

‘When grassroots strength meets institutional experience’

The Wontumi Campaign believes the partnership brings together two significant political assets.

On one side is what it describes as Wontumi’s formidable grassroots network of activists, party executives, communicators and supporters across the country.

On the other is John Boadu’s extensive experience within the NPP, his knowledge of the party’s structures and his relationships across different sections of the organisation.

The campaign argues that combining these strengths could give the party a formidable organisational force.

“When grassroots strength meets institutional experience, and mobilisation is matched with organisation, the NPP becomes a formidable force for victory.”

The campaign further declared that it believes Boadu is best positioned among the aspirants to lead the party back to its winning ways and help build the political strength required to return Dr Mahamudu Bawumia to the presidency in 2028.

‘We have chosen the house’

The campaign framed its decision as being bigger than the interests of two political camps.

Under the heading “Bigger Than Two Campaigns,” it argued that political leaders must sometimes choose between protecting their individual political territories and strengthening the wider organisation.

Its verdict was unequivocal:

“We have chosen the house.”

The campaign said the NPP’s overriding objective must be to return to government in 2028, arguing that achieving that goal would require unity, discipline, organisation and a clear sense of purpose.

It warned that the party could not afford to waste its energy on factionalism and internal divisions when those energies were needed to rebuild and reorganise the party.

Wontumi supporters given marching orders

The endorsement also came with a direct instruction to members of the Wontumi Campaign across the country.

The campaign called on its national, regional and constituency structures, electoral-area coordinators, polling-station executives, communicators, volunteers and supporters to immediately rally behind Boadu.

Its message was blunt:

Wherever they organised for Wontumi, they should now organise for John Boadu.

Wherever they mobilised for Wontumi, they should mobilise for John Boadu.

Wherever they stood for Wontumi, they should now stand for John Boadu.

The campaign said its political strength must henceforth “speak with one voice and move in one direction.”

‘Unity without bitterness’

Despite throwing its weight behind Boadu, the campaign was careful to stress that the endorsement should not be interpreted as a declaration of political war against the other contenders.

It acknowledged the right of every aspirant to seek the confidence of NPP delegates and the right of individual party members to support candidates of their choice.

The campaign also called for internal democracy without hostility, saying the contest should be conducted without insults, intimidation or unnecessary attacks against fellow members of the party.

“Internal democracy must never become internal warfare,” the statement declared.

‘The Wontumi family is coming on board’

The campaign directly addressed the John Boadu Campaign, announcing that the Wontumi family was coming on board with its energy, structures, experience and determination.

It also urged Boadu’s supporters to close ranks and get to work.

To the wider NPP, the message was equally significant: the national officers’ contest should produce a stronger party, not a wounded one.

The campaign concluded with a strong declaration:

“A major political force has made its decision. The Wontumi Campaign stands with John Boadu.”

A major boost for Boadu’s campaign

The endorsement could become a significant development in the NPP’s national chairmanship race, particularly because the Wontumi Campaign says it brings a nationwide network of grassroots activists and party structures to the partnership.

Boadu is one of four candidates contesting the NPP National Chairmanship after Wontumi withdrew from the race. The other contenders are Paul Afoko, Boakye Agyarko and Sammy Crabbe.

Boadu has himself said his chairmanship ambition is ultimately aimed at helping Dr Mahamudu Bawumia win the 2028 presidential election, with grassroots organisation and electoral preparation at the heart of his campaign.

The bigger battle: 2028

For the Wontumi Campaign, however, the immediate contest is only part of a much bigger political project.

The group says the NPP must rebuild its structures, empower its grassroots, recognise loyalty and sacrifice, and transform its human resources into an effective political machine capable of winning elections.

The October 3 national officers’ election will therefore be more than a contest for party positions.

It will be a test of whether the NPP can turn its internal divisions into unity, its grassroots energy into organisation, and its organisational strength into an effective campaign for 2028.

For now, the Wontumi Campaign has made its choice.

John Boadu has secured the backing of a powerful political network — and the race for the NPP’s National Chairmanship has just entered a new phase.