KEY POINTS
- President Akufo-Addo embarked on a tour of two regions to gather support for Vice President Bawumia’s presidential campaign.
- The tour is aimed at solidifying Bawumia’s position as the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) candidate for the upcoming elections.
- Akufo-Addo emphasized Bawumia’s leadership qualities and vision for Ghana’s future during his speeches.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has embarked on a campaign trail in support of his vice, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in his bid to become the president in the 2024 general elections.
The president recently toured two strategic areas where he interacted with traditional authorities, party supporters and the public, all aimed at ensuring Dr Bawumia becomes the choice of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Akufo-Addo, who is in his last term as the president of Ghana, is now signaling that he thinks Bawumia has the right stuff and the experience to govern the country.
During the tour, Akufo-Addo commended Bawumia for his input into the development of Ghana’s economy, particularly his knowledge in the financial and digital sectors, which the president said could help the nation overcome future difficulties.
Call for unity of the party
The president’s regional tours are also aimed at rallying the NPP behind Bawumia’s vice-presidential bid. As the NPP gets set for its internal elections that will decide who will lead the party into the 2024 general elections, Akufo-Addo is not sparing any effort in mobilising support for his vice. In the tour, the president held meetings with chiefs, elders, and the grassroots to support Bawumia as the party’s leader.
The GhanaWeb has reported that Bawumia’s candidacy is viewed as an extension of the development agenda that has been embarked on by Akufo-Addo.
The president is eager to ensure that the leadership of the NPP is handed over to a capable successor in the person of Bawumia, who will continue with the good works of his administration.
Leadership and vision for Ghana’s future
This is not a party affair, but it is clear that Akufo-Addo fully supports Bawumia. The president has time and again lauded Bawumia’s vision for the future of Ghana especially in the areas of economic reform, technology and social change.
Several of Bawumia’s policies and programmes, especially the digital addressing system, mobile money interoperability and others have been described has revolutionary in reforming government services and increasing financial inclusion all over the nation.
During the tour, Akufo-Addo encouraged Ghanaians to appreciate Bawumia’s efforts in the development of the nation. “Dr. Vice President Bawumia has been in the forefront of many of the economic policies that have placed us here today,” said Akufo-Addo.
He said Bawumia has shown that he is capable of leading the country on a bigger capacity especially during difficult economic times.
The tour was done in the Ashanti and Central regions, and it gave Akufo-Addo a chance to meet with various groups of people. His message was clear: Bawumia is the candidate who will be able to take the mantle of the NPP and lead Ghana to the promised land.
Chances for the united party and nation
As the internal fighting within the NPP intensifies, President Akufo-Addo’s tour symbolises a general desire for party unity. Since the party has many aspirants for the top leadership, the president endorsement of Bawumia is meant to capture as many supporters within the party as possible to minimize faction within the party.
Analysts have described Akufo-Addo’s support for Bawumia as a masterstroke that would help the NPP to close ranks ahead of the general election.
Bawumia’s supporters are hopeful that the tour by Akufo-Addo will boost his campaign and see him emerge victorious in the NPP primaries. To many within the party, a Bawumia presidency means more of the same and a continuation of the development agenda of the current administration.
However, the leadership contest in the ruling NPP as Ghana gets set for the 2024 election will be monumental. Since Akufo-Addo has endorsed Bawumia, the party is ready to support a candidate who has the knowledge and the vision that will take the country to the next level.
