Mahama was wrong in comparing Bawku traditional area size to North East region — Mamprugu Youth

The Mamprugu Youth Association (MAYA) has criticized former President John Dramani Mahama for inaccurately comparing the population size of the Bawku traditional area to the North East region during a campaign visit.

In a press release, MAYA said Mr. Mahama misrepresented population figures from the 2021 census when campaigning in Bawku.

The former president said "the population is probably more than in the North East" while supporting calls for a new region to be carved out of the Bawku traditional area.

However, according to the 2021 census, the North East region has a population of 658,946 people - larger than the estimated 579,626 people living across the six constituencies that make up the Bawku traditional area.

"We are disappointed that H.E. John Mahama, who has served as a Member of Parliament, held ministerial positions, been a Vice President, and President did not see his lacking figures as reason enough to avoid making such a comparison in his statement," said MAYA President Iddrisu Shaibu.

Mr. Shaibu added that while MAYA supports political aspirations, comparisons should be based on facts.

As a former head of state, MAYA said Mr. Mahama "should have known better" than to speculate without accurate population data.

MAYA has called on Mr. Mahama to acknowledge he was wrong and get the facts right in future engagements.

The group said inaccurate claims risk fueling tensions, given the volatile security situation in Bawku.