KEY POINTS
- Vice President Bawumia has a limited role, as defined by the 1992 Constitution.
- Mustapha Hamid used a religious analogy to explain Bawumia’s supportive role to the President.
- Bawumia is now presenting his leadership vision as the NPP’s 2024 presidential candidate.
Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority, has risen to the defence of the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia stating that he does not have governing power according to the 1992 constitution.
Speaking to Imams and Zongo Chiefs in Kukuom in the Asunafo South Constituency, Hamid explained that Bawumia is merely a supportive figure and not a decision-maker.
To further establish his point, Hamid used a religious analogy.
“The Vice President is similar to the assistant of the Imam,” he explained. Like the assistant imam only responds to prayer with ‘Ameen,’ without leading prayers, Bawumia has only been supporting President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo without the ability to make decisions on his own.
Bawumia’s role under the constitution
As reported by Ghana Web, Hamid explained that the duties of the Vice President are provided by the Constitution and that Dr. Bawumia does not perform any work on his own initiative, but only assists the President. Hamid also pointed out that contrary to what the public thinks, Bawumia has not been the one piloting the affairs of the country.
Hamid stated that Bawumia is now revealing his plan and vision for Ghana after being selected as the NPP’s presidential candidate for the 2024 elections like Kamala Harris, the U.S Vice President.
“Just as Kamala Harris did not declare her vision for America until she became a candidate, Dr. Bawumia is now giving his vision for leadership,” he said.
Preparing for a presidential role
Hamid concluded by asserting that Bawumia is now ready to lead the country if elected as the president in the 2024 elections, likening Bawumia to an assistant Imam who eventually leads the prayer once he transitions from being an assistant to becoming the Imam.
“When called upon to lead, he shall do it in his own style,” said Hamid
