It is no secret that the majority of Ghanaians no longer consider Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as Ghana’s economic messiah. In fact, they are rightfully disappointed as Ghana’s economy is at its lowest point under the supervision of the Vice-President who is also the chairman of the economic management team (EMT) and by extension the manager of Ghana’s economy. This is a fact that neither the Vice-President nor his team can dispute. It is the reality on the ground.
It is clear when you visit all the regions of Ghana, especially the party’s stronghold of the Ashanti region. Presenting Dr. Bawumia as the flagbearer of the NPP (New Patriotic Party) will be a political suicide for the party. Shockingly however, some party executives are flouting the constitution of our party just to make the Vice-President the flagbearer of the party towards the 2024 general elections.
Dr. Bawumia is Politically Weaker and Suicidal It is imperative to re-echo that by virtue of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia being the chairman of the economic management team of Ghana and the manager of the economy, he cannot exonerate himself from the current economic mess of the country, most especially when he managed to convince all of us ahead of the 2016 elections that he had the magic band to turn round the economy, put it on the right pedestal and equip it with the needed resilience and all the wherewithal to withstand every external shock. He further assured us that the economic prosperity of Ghana would be felt by the ordinary Ghanaian.
Sadly however, almost 7 years
down the line, Ghanaians have witnessed the worst economic situation in the history of this country. On this premise, making Dr. Bawumia the flagbearer NPP (New Patriotic Party) will be suicidal for the party in a match against the politically experienced former President Mahama in the upcoming 2024 general elections. No wonder former President Mahama seems upbeat and highly confident of winning the elections. It is incomprehensible to realize that there are some leaders of the NPP who know the weakened political stature of the Vice-President, yet are twisting arms and in some cases violating the party’s constitution, as well as the laid down conventions, just to make Dr. Bawumiah the flagbearer to the detriment of the party. Is this just mere carelessness or self centeredness?
Ghana’s Economy at the Lowest Point
While Ghana’s economy is at its lowest ebb under the watch of Dr.Bawumia, cases of perceived corruption are numerous, the suffering of the masses has become unbearable, the handling of the economy has been just theoretical, the value of the cedi is in a deplorable state, inflation is all time high and the list is tall. In fact, the Vice-President’s economic performance has inadvertently made former President Mahama popular in the eyes of many political watchers.
Every Ghanaian, with the exception of those who are close to the corridors of power, is suffering and their hope for a brighter future keeps dwindling day in and day out. This is the reality on the ground and as someone who has toiled for the greater part of the NPP’s political successes I cannot be oblivious when political danger is glaringly looming for the party.
In the Ashanti region for instance, more than half of the population are currently disappointed in his economic performance vis-a-avis other issues that could embolden former President Mahama to also label Dr. Bawumia as incompetent in case he (Bawumia) is made flagbearer of the NPP. The irony of the situation is that going into election 2016, Dr. Bawumia was able to consistently label former President Mahama as incompetent , and this worked to our advantage.
Unfortunately, the reverse is the reality now. If the majority in the Ashanti region are upset and disappointed with Dr. Bawumia’s performance, then readers can do their own Math relative to the level of anger in other regions. Why are some leaders in the NPP trying to make the weakest candidate (politically) the flagbearer of the NPP?
The Big Question
The question is with this high and visible level of questionable performance on the part of the Vice-President, why is it that he still wants to represent the NPP as the flagbearer after such a woeful performance?
Unprecedented Borrowing Under the Watch of Dr. Bawumia
This government has borrowed almost six times more than what former President Mahama did throughout his entire presidency. The question there is : What is Dr. Bawumia going to show for this piled up debt stock during the campaign in case he is ‘ mistakenly’ made the flagbearer of the NPP? What about inflation, the unprecedented depreciation of the cedi etc. ?
Conclusion
No NPP member should be under the illusion that members of the opposition NDC are so naive that they are not aware of the concerns I have raised. They are just waiting for the NPP to ‘mistakenly’ make the Vice-President its flagbearer in order for them to have a field day come
December 7, 2024.
A word to the wise is enough
By Francis Asante
(Finance Professor, USA)
A Leading Member of the NPP
Source: By Francis Asante (Finance Professor, USA) A Leading Member of the NPP
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Bawumia is an offspring of Akuffo Addo.He has failed mercilessly for his inability to arrest the dollars,untold economic hardships and mismanagement of the economy coupled with high prices of goods and services.
THIS TW3RP WANTS TO PROJECT HIMSELF ON THE TICKET OF BAWUMIAH. WHICH COUNTRY IS NOT SUFFERING FROM THE GLOBAL ECONOMIC DOWN TURN?
Who is this one too? Empty barrel making the most noise. What have you done for Ghana? NDC mole pretending to be NPP member. Get lost and leave Dr Bawumia alone.
In as much as i share some opinion with your assertion made in your writing about the vice P, let me draw your attention to the culture of Africans, that the child does not have the moral grounds to correct the elderly. Vice P even though leader of EMT, has limitation to decision that is taken by his boss at all times. In fact, he should be seen as a good boy in the presence of his boss, so to be given the opportunity to serve. He should be submissive to his boss. This is African respect for the elderly, contrary to this, you will be branded is disrespectful, regardless of your good intent to write the wrongs of your boss right at any point in time. If vice P, has his own way, things will not be as it is now. Probably, try to walk on the corridors of power, to hear the limitations at his disposal.
Among all the candidates it should be anybody else apart from Bawumia, selecting Bawumia is like rewarding mediocrity, Mahama is looking very good lately, all because of the incompetence of Nana Addo and Bawumia, I never thought Ghana could have a leader who is more incompetent than Mahama and Atta Mills but, Nana sadly proved me wrong to win the title of the worse President(Haed of State)
@Dan. I am amazed at Dan's arguments. His writing suggests that he's educated, yet I don't find any logic in all the points that he's raised. Is it because political partyism has cladded your reasoning or that it has eluded you? All of you guys are following Bawumiah just so that Mahama doesn't feel vindicated? Oh really? Now I understand, I was really shocked at how any reason able people will press hard for Bawumiah to lead Ghana at this moment after the massive failure he's demonstrated. From your own assertion, how would you wish Ghana handed over to a man whose suggestions were easily trashed by a finance minister who serves under him? So you guys want him to take over so that you can digitally control him and continue to tip off this country? It appears you guys care less of Ghana but your own interests and how an opposition leader's inconsequential rhetorics will not materialise. How petty and care-less could the followers of Bawumiah be? Where's patriotism and loyalty for Ghana vanished to? As for your Akufo Addo, the least said about him the better!
Bawulair hmmm!
@Dan this deception that when if governments has failed then everyone has failed is unthinkable. Anytime someone raises issues about the performance of Bawumia you his disciples will come and make those unfortunate comments. You are talking about digitalization is Bawumia the Minister for Communication and Digitalization? what will you have say if the late Ammisah Arthur told Ghanaians he was working on digitalization so issues of the economy should not be blame on him? Was the same Bawumia not disturbing the late Ammisah Arthur with Economic lectures and his so called 170 questions? what has changed now? Was Tinibu not part of the APC party? he was voted for against the sitting vice President Osibanju because the blame will be higher on the Vice if elected than Tinibu hence his elections and subsequent win. Any NPP person who thinks the Vice President is the best to lead the party is sick in mind. The job of the Vice President was to tackled issues of the economy and he has failed big time based on what is happening in the country. Things are hard and you cannot deny that. Our party is becoming unpopular day by day. Haven't you heard many people saying they won't vote in 2024? its a sign of disappointment in our government/party.
Are you really living in the USA? Hmm! DO you know what is happening in the USA after COVID-19? Are you really NPP member? Yoooooo....
@Dan You have made quite a number of points. Firstly, you say we should spare Dr Bawumia the economic failures of this government. However, all the accolades of digitalization should be given to him. I guess he's the minister in charge, abi? Secondly, you indicate that over 100 Ministers are supporting him so he must be the best choice. However, the fact still remains that if 5000 people say something wrong, it's still wrong. Your third point making reference to Prez Mahama is the worst of all. Are you saying NPP should take a decision just so that Mahama's prediction will be wrong? Like seriously? If that is the case then tell NDC to elect an Ewe before they come and tell NPP not to elect an Akan.