Dr. Bawumia And NAPO’s Candidature, Not The Sole Interest Of The Party But Certain People’s Parochial Interest- Dr. Kwasi Amakye Boateng

In an interview on TV3’s New Day morning show with Roland Walker, Dr. Kwasi Amakye Boateng, a political analyst, stirred the political waters with his candid critique of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s candidature and his pairing with Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, popularly known as NAPO. Dr. Boateng’s comments have ignited a heated debate within the New Patriotic Party and among political observers, bringing to light the internal dynamics and controversies surrounding Bawumia’s political rise and the broader implications for the party and the nation.

Dr. Boateng’s central argument revolves around the notion that Dr. Bawumia is more of President Nana Akufo-Addo’s protégé than a true representative of the NPP’s grassroots. He suggests that Bawumia’s rise to prominence was not organic but rather orchestrated by influential figures within the party to serve their personal interests. This critique also extends to the accusation that Bawumia, along with others, has played a significant role in mismanaging Ghana’s economy, yet seeks to distance himself from the fallout.

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, an economist by training, entered the political arena as the running mate to Nana Akufo-Addo in the 2008 elections. His background in economics and finance, particularly his experience at the Bank of Ghana, was seen as a valuable asset to the NPP. Over the years, Bawumia has built a reputation as a technocrat, often touted for his knowledge and expertise in economic matters.

However, Dr. Boateng argues that Bawumia’s rise was not entirely due to his expertise or popularity within the party, but rather because of strategic decisions by key party figures. According to Boateng, Bawumia’s candidature was manipulated to serve the interests of a select group within the NPP, rather than reflecting the will of the party’s base. He further asserted that NAPO’s origination from the Ashanti region has little to no influence on their vote, since per his personal observation, a lot of people who are true NPP faithful have been coming to him asking for support to enter security services and some will have to pay as much at 15,000- 20,000 Ghana cedis to get access to these services, however, these are true card bearing party people. He stated categorically that, some party people have declared that irrespective of whoever they bring from the region, they won’t waste their time to join queue to go and vote, and even if they do, it would be counted as a spoilt ballot.

Dr. Bawumia’s pairing with Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, a former Minister of Education known for his reforms in the education sector, has been met with mixed reactions. On one hand, NAPO is respected for his work in implementing significant changes in Ghana’s education system, including the Free Senior High School policy. On the other hand, his association with Bawumia has raised questions about the strategic motives behind this pairing. Not forgetting the qualms between him and the technocrats that’s the teacher unions and the relevant stakeholders, his controversial mathematical set scandal, similarly to his recent ministry, the ministry of Energy, Dr. Amakye further said NAPO is more of a gap between the political elite and the electorate and technocrats.

Dr. Boateng’s criticism suggests that the pairing is another calculated move to consolidate power within a particular faction of the NPP, rather than a genuine effort to present a united and effective leadership team. This perception of manipulation and favoritism could have implications for party unity and electoral success.

One of the most significant aspects of Dr. Boateng’s critique is the allegation that Dr. Bawumia is part of the group responsible for the mismanagement of Ghana’s economy. As Vice President, Bawumia has been a key figure in the Akufo-Addo administration’s economic policies. While he has often been praised for his insights and initiatives, the country’s current economic challenges have brought his leadership into question. Further asserting that, Dr. Bawumia has lost focus on economic issues and has resulted to talk only with “ no show” results.

“Ghana has faced numerous economic issues in recent years, including high inflation, currency depreciation, and significant debt levels. Dr. Amakye argue that the economic policies under Bawumia’s watch have not yielded the desired results and have, in some cases, exacerbated the problems”. Dr. Boateng’s assertion that Bawumia is attempting to distance himself from these issues while seeking higher office adds a layer of controversy to his candidacy.

Dr. Boateng’s comments also shed light on the internal dynamics within the NPP. The suggestion that Bawumia is not a “true party person” but rather Akufo-Addo’s chosen successor indicates a potential rift within the party. This perception could undermine Bawumia’s support among the party’s grassroots members and create challenges in mobilizing a unified front for upcoming elections.

The notion of manipulation within the party also raises concerns about the democratic processes in place for selecting candidates. If the perception that candidates are handpicked by a few influential individuals persists, it could erode trust in the party’s leadership and processes, leading to internal conflicts and divisions.

Dr. Kwasi Amakye Boateng’s critique of Dr. Bawumia’s candidature and his pairing with NAPO has exposed the cracks and manipulations within the NPP.

Story by:
Kingsford Nana- Oduro Dickson