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Tag: Dr Mahamudu Bawumia

  • Ghana Card Number Issuance to newborns ready for takeoff – Dr. Bawumia

    Ghana Card Number Issuance to newborns ready for takeoff – Dr. Bawumia

    All is set for the historic issuance of National Identification numbers, better known as Ghana Card numbers, to newborn babies in Ghana, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has announced.

    This follows the successful integration of the databases of the Births and Deaths Registry, the National Identification Authority and the Ghana Health Service.

    The Vice President, who made the disclosure on Saturday July 22, 2023 said the first such Ghana Card number was issued to a newborn baby on Friday, July 21, 2023 after a successful test run of the system.

    “The work of integrating the databases has been completed, The full test was done yesterday, and i am happy to say that the first Ghana Card number for a baby was issued yesterday.

    “So in the next month or two, all babies born in Ghana, once they take them to Weigh In, will be issued the Ghana Card number and also get their Birth Certificate Identification number at the same time, because the two databases are talking to each other. The nationality of the parents will be established as part of the process”.

    “This is very transformational,” Dr Bawumia noted, explaining that they will have these numbers from the time they are babies till they pass away.

    Officials of the National Identification Authority (NIA) say cards bearing the biometrics and other data will be issued to the children when they are older, after their digits and other features are fully formed.

    Speaking in Cape Coast at the 75th Anniversary celebrations of Ghana National College, Dr Bawumia emphasized that the issuance of ID numbers at birth was an integral part of Government’s ongoing digitalization agenda, designed to prepare the nation to fully partake in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

    The Ghana Card is increasingly becoming the single source of proof of identity, with the unique number serving several purposes including as the Social Security, Health Insurance and Tax Identification number.

    Ghana National College

    Hailing the impact Ghana National College has had on Ghana’s pre-and post colonial life, Vice President Bawumia challenged managements, staff and students in educational institutions to embrace the possibilities offered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve teaching, problem solving and critical thinking, noting that it could be deployed meaningfully to bridge the gap between the developed and developing world.

    “If we are in agreement that the boys and girls in our schools today are being trained to compete on the global stage, there is every justification for our students to be given exposure to AI.

    “Government’s ongoing digitalization agenda is ample testimony of its appreciation of AI and the commitment to ensure that this country is not left behind. We have focused on pursuing digitalisation as part of our economic strategy because the Fourth Industrial Revolution is upon us and we must be part of the modern world…

    “Whilst Government will do its part by leading the charting of a pathway to the deployment of meaningful AI in our national life, I expect our educational authorities to devise and deploy innovative teaching strategies that factor in ICT as a key ingredient,” he added.

  • He’s been bartered, bruised and insulted but never rebuts – MP on Bawumia’s tolerance level

    He’s been bartered, bruised and insulted but never rebuts – MP on Bawumia’s tolerance level

    Member of Parliament for Afigya Kwabre North, Collins Adomako-Mensah, has praised Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, for his remarkable display of tolerance in the face of adversity. 

    Speaking in an interview on Sompa FM, monitored by The Independent Ghana, the NPP legislator noted that despite the challenges and pressures that come with holding the high office of the Vice President, Dr Bawumia has consistently exhibited an unwavering commitment to maintaining composure and dignity.

    He stressed that the Vice President has demonstrated an exceptional level of tolerance and resilience, earning admiration from both supporters and critics alike.

    “He’s the first person I’ve seen in my political career who is extremely humble. Since 2008 when he came into the political stream, he’s been insulted but not a single time has he responded to any being. The level of temperament is unmatched,” he added.

    In the world of politics, it is not uncommon for politicians to face heated debates, criticism, and even personal attacks, however, Dr Bawumia has chosen not to engage in tit-for-tat responses, opting instead to maintain a dignified silence, the MP argued.

    “His shock absorbers are unmatched and that’s the kind of character of a leader. He comes down to everybody’s level. As a political leader, his human relation, his character, is unmatched,” he added.

    Dr Bawumia is one of the ten candidates participating in the upcoming presidential primaries. He will be contesting with others including the former Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen; the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong;  a former Minister of Energy, Boakye Agyarko, who was the first to pick the form, a former NPP General Secretary and presidential spokesperson, Kwabena Agyei Agyepong; a former
    Member of Parliament (MP) for Mampong, Francis Addai-Nimoh.

    The rest are a former Minister of State, Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku and a former Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto; a former Minister of Justice and Attorney General and MP for Essikado-Ketan, Joe Ghartey, and a businessman and energy expert Kwadwo Poku.

    November 4, 2023, has been selected as the date for the NPP’s much anticipated presidential primaries which will result in the selection of a flag bearer for the general election in 2024.

  • Bawumia revealed as Special Guest of Honour at Ghana National College 75th Anniversary climax

    Bawumia revealed as Special Guest of Honour at Ghana National College 75th Anniversary climax

    Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia will as part of the culminating events for the Ghana National College’s 75th Anniversary, serve as the Special Guest of Honour at the school’s Speech and Prize Day on Saturday.

    During the celebration, Dr. Bawumia will also have the honor of unveiling a new Science laboratory, which was constructed by the Nananom (old students) for the college.

    Headmaster of the Ghana National College, Mr. Joseph Ato Sarpong, confirmed Dr. Bawumia’s significant role in the final festivities during an interview with Myjoyonline on Wednesday.

    “Everything has proceeded as planned. Nothing has changed and the Vice President will be here with us on Saturday”, he said.

    School logo of the Ghana National College

    The Ghana National College, affectionately called “Osagyefo’s own school” in political circles, is commemorating its 75th Anniversary with a week of activities under the theme: ’75 years of holistic education in nurturing leaders for the 21st Century.’

    The celebration, which began on July 16, is taking place at the school’s picturesque location on the hilly outskirts of Cape Coast, the Central regional capital. The festivities will conclude on July 23.

    The events commenced with regional church services organized by regional branches of Nananom on Sunday, July 16. On Friday, July 21, various activities are scheduled, including a football gala, an AGM of all Nananom, and a flag-raising ceremony featuring the school cadet.

    Additionally, year groups will hand over several projects, such as a fishpond for the study of Science by the ’93 year group, the unveiling of a new crest at the school gate by the 2001 year group, and a plaque by the Tema branch featuring sayings of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah.

    The day will also witness the renovation of the L-Block at Down Town by the ’81 year group and the Vocational Block by the ’85 year group.

    The following day, Saturday, will feature the traditional Speech and Prize-giving Day in the morning on campus, followed by a fund-raising dinner dance in the evening at the Pempamsie Hotel in Cape Coast.

    The concluding day, Sunday, will include a thanksgiving and memorial service. In the evening, there will be the induction and swearing-in of Nananom national executives, followed by the popular Omotuo and Fufu bash.

    Established on July 20, 1948, by Ghana’s first president, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the Ghana National College holds a special place in history as a consequence of the agitations for Ghana’s independence from colonial rule.

    Its inaugural enrollment consisted of 17 students, led by the celebrated Mathematician and Physicist Emeritus Professor Francis Kofi Ampenyi Allotey, who holds the distinction of being the first student to register at the college.

  • 9 flagbearer aspirants petition NPP for centralized special delegates conference

    9 flagbearer aspirants petition NPP for centralized special delegates conference

    Nine out of the ten presidential aspirants vying to lead the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2024 election have jointly requested the party leadership to centralize the special delegates’ congress slated for August 26th.

    The nine candidates, in expressing their opposition to the idea of conducting the election on a regional level, stated that it is not favorable for the party.

    The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, is the sole candidate who does not endorse the proposal.

    They contend that distributing the election among a mere 900 voters would not be a prudent choice.

    They are therefore urging the party to allow all 900 delegates to converge at one venue for the polls.

    The NPP will on August 26th cut down the list of its presidential aspirants from 10 to five as stipulated in its constitution.

    Meanwhile, the NPP says it is compiling a new register for its August 26th special delegates’ congress.

    The party says a new register will be needed for the register since some of the delegates had passed.

    General Secretary of the party, Justin Kodua Frimpong Koduah says a new register will be out by the end of the week.

    “We are in the final stage of doing the compilation. Basically, we are not going to exceed 1000 so between 900 and 1000 delegates will form the special electoral college.”

    “Some of the founding members have died, so we have to take their names out. We also have to look at past national officers. I am sure before the week ends we should have the final list for the special delegates’ election,” he stated.

  • Bawumia will win NPP flagbearer race hands down – Farouk Aliu Mahama

    Bawumia will win NPP flagbearer race hands down – Farouk Aliu Mahama

    Member of Parliament for Yendi, Farouk Aliu Mahama, predicts victory for Dr Mahamudu Bawumia in the upcoming New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential primary.

    The Vice President faces stiff opposition from nine other aspirants, five of whom will be dropped to pave the way for a special delegates conference that will elect the presidential candidate for the 2024 election.

    Dr Bawumia’s contenders include former Trade Minister, Alan Kyerematen and Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyepong among others. The party has scheduled a special delegates conference on August 26 to whittle the number down to five.

    But, Yendi MP Farouk Aliu Mahama believes Dr Bawumia stands tall among his contenders and the delegates will vote for him.

    “I did the album in my constituency and I control 700 people in the constituency. My other contestants control 50 each and they are all for Bawumia. So tell me, who are they going to vote for? It’s a done deal for Bawumia,” he stressed.

    Farouk Aliu Mahama also fought off claims that MPs have abandoned parliament to campaign for the Vice President. He described the assertions as inaccurate.

    For some days now, Parliament has struggled to form a quorum to do business with the Minority claiming that NPP MPs are following the Vice President around.

    According to Farouk Aliu Mahama, the NPP MPs respect their duties in Parliament and have never left the House to follow the Vice President on his campaign tours.

    “The MPs from the Ashanti Region who were with Dr Bawumia are back in Parliament and the quorum issues in Parliament have nothing to do with the MPs following Bawumia. I am a strong supporter of the Vice President, but I’m here to do my duties. The NDC’s strategy of trying to tie everything to Dr Bawumia is a signal that he is a threat to John Mahama.”

    Meanwhile, the National Council of the New Patriotic Party is expected to deliberate and decide on the recommendations of the vetting committee on the flagbearer aspirants on Thursday.

    It follows the adoption of the committee’s report by the National Steering Committee of the party at its meeting in Accra last Tuesday.

    The Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye presidential vetting committee cleared all the 10 aspirants in the upcoming presidential primary subject to the approval of the National Council.

  • Stephen Amoah says Bawumia saved NPP from losing election 2016

    Stephen Amoah says Bawumia saved NPP from losing election 2016

    Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, Dr Stephen Amoah, has stated that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) would not have emerged victorious in the 2016 presidential election if it weren’t for the instrumental role played by Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

    According to him, the role the vice president played in the 2012 election petition cleared the way for the party’s victory in the 2016 presidential elections.

    He, therefore, refuted assertions that Dr Bawumia is not a member of the NPP and has done nothing for the party.

    “What made me like Bawumia is just one thing. I remember when we went to the Supreme Court, one day we were only 21 in court and the vice president was in the witness box and was being bombarded with questions.

    “…. if not for Dr Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia, we would not have won the first election that we won (the 2016 elections). He was the one who explained issues for us to get clarity (in the 2012 election petition).

    “What he went through made NPP ready for the subsequent election which we won. But today, people are saying he is not a number of the party,” Dr Amoah said in Twi as he was addressing members of the NPP at a campaign event for the vice president.

    The deputy trades minister, who is also the Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso, added that even though all the contenders in the NPP flagbearership race are qualified to lead the NPP, Dr Bawumia is the best among them.

    He urged supporters of all the presidential hopefuls to desist from politics of insults and tribalism so that the party would not be fractured after the presidential primaries.

    Ten people would be contesting in the NPP presidential primaries which is slated for August and November 2023. A super delegate conference would be held in August 2023 to reduce the number of contenders to five while the primaries proper would be held in November 2023 to choose the party’s presidential candidate for the 2024 elections.

    The ten candidates include Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia; a former Trade Minister, Alan Kyerematen; Kwadwo Poku, an energy expert; Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Joe Ghartey; a former Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto; a former General Secretary of the NPP, Kwabena Agyei Agyepong; MP for Assin Central, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong; a former MP for Offinso North, Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku; and a former Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko.

  • NPP MPs who have blasted Ken Agyapong for attacking the party

    NPP MPs who have blasted Ken Agyapong for attacking the party

    MP for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, has received criticism for his recent comments targeting Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia concerning Ghana’s economic challenges.

    Agyapong is among nine contenders vying for the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) flagbearership.

    Bawumia, considered the primary frontrunner, enjoys widespread support from numerous MPs who have been accompanying him on campaign trails nationwide.

    Four pro-Bawumia MPs responded to Kennedy Agyapong’s criticism, deeming it baseless and unjustified, as the economic challenges were a result of external factors.

    Currently, Ghana is under an International Monetary Fund (IMF) program, aiming to secure US$3 billion over three years. The initial tranche of US$600 million was disbursed earlier this year, with more tranches scheduled for release.

    1. Andrew Egyapa Mercer, MP for Sekondi

    Egyapa-Mercer emphasized that any assessment of the Vice President’s performance should begin from 2017 and 2018 until the present.

    He firmly stated that the economic downturn was influenced by global factors beyond the Vice President’s control, absolving him of responsibility for the country’s economic challenges.

    “Dr Bawumia was superintending over an economy that was growing 7 percent on average in 2017, 2018, and 2019 and so in 2020 what happened? They recognize the issues that have taken us to where we are that are not attributed to Bawumia, that is not to say that he is reneging on his duties.

    “He did not bring covid and if you think covid did not have an impact on the economy, that is your beef. He stands tall and he is the one to help us break the 8,” the Deputy Energy Minister said.

    2. Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, MP for Takoradi

    Darko-Mensah firmly asserted that the economic downturn was primarily caused by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. He pointed out that this fact has been confirmed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which is currently providing financial assistance to Ghana through a bailout program.

    “..we were all in the country when COVID broke. Were you the one who manufactured COVID? Even the IMF who are giving us a bailout said we (NPP) did not create the problem, as our economic challenges are as a result of COVID,” he stressed.

    In addition, Darko-Mensah highlighted take-or-pay energy-sector contracts signed during the previous government’s tenure as a significant contributor to the economic challenges.

    He questioned the connection between these contracts and the decision made by Dr. Bawumia, himself, or Ken Ofori-Atta to seek assistance from the IMF. Darko-Mensah implied that these contracts were separate issues from the necessity of seeking IMF support.

    3. Kofi Amankwa-Manu, Atwima-Kwanwoma Constituency

    Amankwa-Manu, from the Atwima-Kwanwoma Constituency, stated that all NPP MPs, including Kennedy Agyapong, who voted in favor of various revenue measures to secure the bailout deal, cannot now criticize Bawumia for the economic situation as he is not an MP.

    In response to Kennedy Agyapong’s critique of Bawumia’s economic management, Amankwa-Manu posed a rhetorical question in an interview with Oyerepa TV: “If you were against our IMF approach, wouldn’t you have voted against it?” He implied that Agyapong, having supported the IMF approach, cannot now shift blame onto Bawumia.

    “But if you were part of the decision and you claim that because of an internal election (NPP flagbearership race), now that we have voted and agreed on the issue, it is now that some people want to walk back their steps? Are we in Parliament with Bawumia?” he quizzed.

    “I don’t belong to that school of thought, what is not good for me, I will strictly state so from the onset. He cannot absolve himself now having voted for the E-Levy, an IMF conditionality. He has no moral right to absolve himself having gone with the team to agree on the issue,” he added.

  • Bawumia’s caucus throws subtle jabs at Kennedy Agyapong

    Bawumia’s caucus throws subtle jabs at Kennedy Agyapong

    Member of Parliament for Efiduase and leader of Dr. Bawumia’s faction, Nana Ayew Afriyie, has asserted that Kennedy Agyapong is directing his criticism towards the wrong individual concerning Ghana’s re-engagement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Afriyie emphasized that targeting Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia on matters related to Ghana’s return to the IMF is unwarranted.

    The Member of Parliament clarified that any matters pertaining to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or the country’s economic challenges should be directed towards the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.

    He also added that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is a strategist because of how he was able to bounce back from cleaning dormitories, driving cabs and doing other menial jobs to become the person he is now.

    “I will say that he should direct it to the Minister of Finance and when he (Bawumia) is in charge, he will take charge and take us to the promised land. We are going to the promised land. DMB is taking us there. …He (Agyapong) should attack the finance minister not him (Bawumia),” Nana Ayew Afriyie told TV3.

    “He shared his experiences. When he used to clean to go to school to pay his fees; drive taxis, cabs. So, any person can be president one day. Any person’s child, regardless of where you are in this country, there is an opportunity for you to be where you have to be,” he added.

    Background:

    An NPP flagbearer hopeful, Kennedy Agyapong fired shots at the campaign team of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

    Speaking to delegates of the NPP in the Kintampo East Constituency as part of an ongoing campaign, the Assin Central MP sent a strong warning to the camp of the vice president noting that he will go on full offensive if the personal attacks directed at him do not cease.

    “If NPP people don’t engage in a clean campaign, they will be in trouble because I will reply when you say something.

    “For someone who claims to be a strategist, the dollar was GHC4 equivalent when we took power. Today, the dollar is GHC12. Do you think you are a strategist? Excuse me, strategist! Please,” Kennedy said.

  • Deputy Defence Minister defends Bawumia, labels critics of self-funding as thieves

    Deputy Defence Minister defends Bawumia, labels critics of self-funding as thieves

    Deputy Minister for Defence, Kofi Amankwa-Manu, has strongly rebuked individuals who have raised doubts about the origin of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia‘s wealth, particularly in light of the significant investments being observed during his presidential campaign.

    Amankwa-Manu’s remarks came as a response to growing scrutiny surrounding the financial resources supporting Bawumia’s bid for the presidency. The Deputy Minister vehemently criticized those who questioned the Vice President’s financial standing, emphasizing that such skepticism was unfounded and unwarranted.

    According to him, most of the billboards, vehicles and other materials being used for Dr Bawumia’s campaign were donated by persons supporting his presidential bid and not from his funds as asserted.

    The deputy defence minister, who made these remarks in an interview on Oyerepa FM, on July 14, 2023, added that persons who claim they are funding their political campaigns with their funds are thieves.

    “As I am sitting here right now, I’m saving money for a billboard for Bawumia. I know a chief in Kumasi who has given Bawumia a pickup and an office complex.

    “Anybody in politics who says that he uses his own money for campaign is a thief, that person is a thief.

    “That is why you need people to follow you if you decide to run for an office… People have believed in Bawumia and they are supporting him in diverse ways,” he said in Twi.

    He added that the vice president can not afford all the monies given to party supporters at his campaign, the vans and all the billboards mounted.

  • Andrew Egyapa Mercer says Bawumia is the one who can help NPP break the 8

    Andrew Egyapa Mercer says Bawumia is the one who can help NPP break the 8

    Deputy Minister for Energy and Member of Parliament representing Sekondi, Andrew Egyapa Mercer, has voiced his unwavering belief in Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia‘s capability to steer the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to success in the upcoming 2024 elections.

    He expressed his confidence in Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s leadership capabilities during an appearance on TV3’s New Day. Mercer stated that among the potential contenders, Bawumia currently stands as a prominent figure and he firmly believes that the Vice President will play a pivotal role in leading the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to victory in the upcoming 2024 general election, aligning with the party’s objective of securing another term in office.

    According to him, Bawumia’s message is resonating with party delegates and predicted that he would receive an overwhelming endorsement in both the super delegate and the national delegate conference on both August 26 and November 4, 2023, respectively.

    “We are in a challenged economy, no doubt. Because for that, why will the president take a decision for us to go to the IMF, we had issues. But what caused those issues I’m saying is relevant for anybody who is doing a dispassionate critique of managers of the economy to take into consideration.

    “And I am assured that based on the interactions that have gone on so far, those that I have participated in directly, ones that I’ve been monitoring on all media platforms, certainly the vice president’s message is sinking with the delegates of the New Patriotic Party and they will give him an overwhelming, emphasis, overwhelming endorsement on two occasions that is August 26 and also November 4, 2023,” he said.

    The MP acknowledged the dedication and service of the other aspirants to the NPP, but he said the vice president can do the job for the party and build upon the achievements of the current administration.

    “Because we are clear in our minds that he [reference to Bawumia] has what it takes to lead our party. That is not to say that the rest are incompetent, all of them have what it takes, they’ve all worked for the party, and they have contributed their dues.

    “But I am clear in my mind that his excellency the vice president stands tall, and he is the one who can take this party into 2024 to help us break the 8 and keep our friend’s track records who we all know from the government,” he added.

  • NPP, Ghana, need an innovator, and not a rich man – Bawumia

    NPP, Ghana, need an innovator, and not a rich man – Bawumia

    Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has highlighted the importance of selecting a leader who is selfless and capable of securing the party’s victory in the upcoming 2024 general elections.

    During his speech to delegates of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Bawumia emphasized the critical objective of maintaining political power. He emphasized the necessity of a leader who is driven by selflessness rather than mere wealth.

    According to a report from Myjoyonline.com, Dr Bawumia emphasised the importance of having experience and a proven track record in governance. He stressed the need for the party to have a candidate who can bring innovative ideas to foster the growth and development of the country.

    “As we go for the presidential primaries, we need someone who can help us retain. We need someone who has humility. We need someone who has a track record. We need someone who has the temperament. We need someone who has innovative ideas and has tolerance for everyone,” Myjoyonline.com quoted Dr. Bawumia.

    Furthermore, Dr. Bawumia draws attention to his own political experience in campaigning against the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama.

    He noted that he has defeated the former president twice and is confident in his ability to secure another victory in the 2024 elections.

    “If you look at all of us ten aspirants, I have the political experience in campaigning and winning elections against John Mahama. I have beaten him twice already, and I know how to defeat him again in the 2024 elections,” affirms the Vice President.

    The Vice President of Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia; the former Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen; the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong; and seven other candidates have been cleared by the Vetting Committee of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to contest the NPP flagbearership race.

    The clearance gives the green light for the 10 candidates to begin preparing for the Super Delegates Congress of the NPP, where the number will be struck down to only 5 candidates.

    It is this final 5 candidates-list that will be presented to delegates to vote on for a presidential candidate towards the 2024 general elections.

  • Things will be easier for us when Bawumia is elected NPP flagbearer – NPP MP

    Things will be easier for us when Bawumia is elected NPP flagbearer – NPP MP

    Member of Parliament for Atwima Kwanwoma, Kofi Amankwa-Manu, has declared Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia the best candidate to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and subsequently become the President after the 2024 general elections.

    He believes the Vice President is the best person to deliver the country from its current economic woes.

    During an interview with Kwesi Parker-Wilson on Oyerepa Breakfast Time, the lawmaker emphasized that he firmly believes Dr. Bawumia is the best candidate to lead the country. 

    “I have a good relationship with all ten aspirants. I eat with them, and some of them are even related to me through my grandfather’s side in Asokore Mampong,” stated the MP. 

    However, he believes that the current state of the country requires a leader like Dr. Bawumia who can bring about positive change. “When Dr. Bawumia is elected as flagbearer, things will be easier for us,” he added. 

    The MP made it clear that he is not concerned about losing his seat for supporting Dr. Bawumia. “I won’t mind losing my seat if the NPP wins the 2024 elections. I firmly believe that Dr. Bawumia’s victory will benefit the party as a whole,” he asserted.

    Highlighting the overwhelming support for the vice president in his constituency, the MP stated, “I can confidently say that the majority of people in Atwima Kwanwoma support Dr. Bawumia. The reception he received during his recent visit was amazing.” 

    Furthermore, the MP clarified that his support for Dr. Bawumia was not influenced by anyone, including the majority leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonus. 

    “I have never discussed this with the Majority Leader. I don’t believe in the whip system in Parliament. I was brought up to speak my mind, but in a respectful manner. I don’t think someone can convince me to support someone against my own beliefs,” he explained. 

    The MP, who doubles as deputy defence minister, emphasized the need for a leader with a clear vision and highlighted Dr. Bawumia as the sole vice president within the 4th Republic who has demonstrated unwavering commitment and proactivity.

    “If you have such an exceptional individual, why should we seek an alternative?” the MP asked, underscoring the importance of supporting Dr. Bawumia’s flagbearership. 

  • Lawyer hints at sacking of Akufo-Addo’s govt officials during Bawumia’s administration

    Lawyer hints at sacking of Akufo-Addo’s govt officials during Bawumia’s administration

    Lawyer Maurice Ampaw has predicted a mass sacking of government officials appointed by President Akufo-Addo should Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia be given the mandate to lead the come 2024 general elections.

    He draws conclusion from what he believes to be a sidelining of members within the same political party by the late President John Evans Atta Mills when he assumed office in 2009.

    In an interview on Okay FM on July 9, he said: “I see Bawumia as someone who is bringing good luck to Ghana, his government will be Bawumia’s government and not Nana Akufo-Addo’s government and Bawumia will sack all Nana Addo’s people from his side, all Nana Addo’s people will go away, all of them will expire when Bawumia comes, he will be like Atta Mills, do you remember what Atta Mill’s did to Rawlings, the same way that he will do.”

    According to Lawyer Ampaw, the many Christian leaders Ghana has experienced have all failed to provide the necessary development, hence the need to give a Muslim leader the opportunity to change the country’s fourtune.

    “When Bawumia comes we will make history, for the first time, we will get someone who is a Muslim and lives in the North. We have tried Christians who have disappointed us, using the name of Jesus Christ, they will be stealing, taking bribes and all, so, we are tired of the Christians,” he noted.

    In anticipation of the November presidential primary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Ghana, ten candidates, including Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and former Trade Minister John Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, have been actively campaigning throughout the country to garner support from party delegates.

    As part of his campaign strategy, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has made a promise to appoint ten party members from each constituency to hold government positions if he is elected as the party’s flagbearer and subsequently becomes president.

    On the other hand, Alan Kyerematen has expressed his commitment to provide a monthly salary and implement a social security policy for all party delegates during his tenure.

    The remaining candidates in the race are Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, Member of Parliament for Assin Central; Joe Ghartey, former Minister of Justice and Attorney General; Kwadwo Poku, a businessman and energy expert; Boakye Agyarko, former Minister of Energy; Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, former NPP General Secretary; Francis Addai-Nimoh, former Member of Parliament for Mampong; Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, former Minister of State; and Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, former Minister of Food and Agriculture.

  • Bawumia inaugurates Ashanti campaign secretariat in Asokwa

    Bawumia inaugurates Ashanti campaign secretariat in Asokwa

    Vice President of Ghana and a potential flagbearer for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, is set to unveil the Ashanti Regional Secretariat for his campaign as a presidential candidate today, July 6, 2023, in Asokwa, Kumasi.

    Dr. Bawumia yesterday arrived in Kumasi to start his regional campaign activities targeting delegates of the party ahead of its upcoming special delegates conference.

    The Vice President after the commission of his campaign secretariat at Asokwa will campaign in five constituencies including Subin, Manhyia North, Suame, and Manhyia South constituency.

    All Members of Parliament in constituencies where the vice president will be visiting today are all in the region to lead the campaign in their constituencies.

    The vice president is expected to receive overwhelming endorsement from the party leadership in the region including other government appointees.

  • Apologise to Bawumia – Ex-NPP MP tells Nana B over Assin North rally mishap

    Apologise to Bawumia – Ex-NPP MP tells Nana B over Assin North rally mishap

    Former Member of Parliament (MP) for Suhum, Fred Opare Ansah, has asked the National Organiser of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana B to issue an apology to Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia due to an organizational oversight that occurred during the party’s final rally before the Assin North by-elections on June 25.

    According to Fred Opare Ansah the Vice President, aside from Alan Kyerematen who faced an impolite interruption upon Bawumia’s arrival, also experienced a negative impact as a result of the incident.

    “Bawumia and president Akufo-Addo left an event at the same time and were headed to the same place. The president takes precedent over everyone and by protocol, he is the last person to arrive before an event starts.

    “So the organizers wanted to find a quick route to the dais for Bawumia,” he said of the incident before adding: “so, it is not his team, neither is it himself, the blame should lie squarely on the organizers.

    “And I am happy that the national organizer of the party has come out clearly and apologized to Alan, except that I feel the apology should be extended to the Vice President to say, ‘look, I know it is not your fault but sorry for causing you this embarrassment.”

    The former lawmaker, contributing to Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” show on July 3, advised those trying to make capital gains out of the incident against Dr. Bawumia or Alan Kyerematen to desist from it.

    “Those who are trying to take political advantage of this in their campaign should realize that if you cause disaffection or public ridicule for someone, it doesn’t impact on just one person. It is a ridicule on the entire party”, he cautioned.

    Nana B, speaking about the incident to Accra-based Okay FM, attributed the mishap to lack of communication between the handlers of the vice president and the campaign organizers.

    “I have seen some of the circulating videos and I must say that in every organization, we get some of these lapses. There was a lack of communication between us the organisers and the handlers.

    “When you pay close attention, the explanation to it is that the president was coming. So, the vice president’s handlers out of good fate, which one would have thought that the vice president will leave the stage before the president comes. However, the time they took to do that didn’t go well,” he said.

    The National Organiser, Nana B further added it was not intentional to publicly embarrass the former minister.

    “I will not offer a lot of explanation but as a National Organiser, I was not visibly happy that Alan kyerematen is speaking then this happens.

    “I will want to use your platform, and, in all humility, what happened was not because someone planned it. In all humility, let me apologise unreservedly to Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen for the small hitch that happened when he was speaking at the Assin North constituency campaign. It was a lapse that happened,” he added.

    The incident, captured in a viral video, showed Alan Kyerematen addressing constituents at Assin North when Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia joined him on the platform.

    Veep was introduced to the crowd while Alan Kyerematen was still speaking.

    The scene was not pleasant for the flagbearer hopeful, who was also a contender against the vice as both are vying to be the party’s flagbearer.

  • Bawumia urges respectful NPP Primaries devoid of insults

    Bawumia urges respectful NPP Primaries devoid of insults

    In the run-up to the NPP primaries, Vice President Bawumia has made a fervent appeal for a clean campaign, urging all party members to avoid resorting to insults to maintain party unity. Bawumia’s call comes as an effort to foster a positive and constructive atmosphere within the party and ensure a cohesive and harmonious approach towards the primaries.

    As the race for the flagbearership of the party intensifies, ten individuals, including the Vice President, have submitted their candidacy for consideration. However, concerns have arisen as the campaigning gains momentum, with allegations surfacing that certain aspirants are engaging in a divisive and hate-filled campaign.

    Addressing party delegates on the final day of his Greater Accra tour, Dr. Bawumia said, as one family, it is important for all camps to understand that the party would need a united front to face the “main enemy”, which is the NDC.

    “We all should understand that the campaign we are having now is for an internal election. The main enemy in 2024 is the NDC. As we embark on the campaign, let us not speak against each other,” Dr. Bawumia said.

    “We want peace, we want a clean campaign and we want a clean election. We don’t want anyone to go out there and speak against an opponents. Because after our elections, we will need everyone on board to tackle the NDC.

    In a clear demonstration of his commitment to a clean campaign, Dr. Bawumia said he has asked his campaign staff and well-wishers to be mindful of their utterances in order to ensure the unity of the party.

    “So I have told all my supporters and spokespersons that we want a clean campaign and they should not go out there and insult anyone.”

    “We are one family so let’s all stay together. When the contest is over, we will all come together as one family and make sure that the NDC doesn’t come back to power. That is very important. Let’s keep the NPP in power and we want unity in the NPP.”

    Dr. Bawumia rounded off his campaign in the Greater Region over the weekend with a visit to the Obom Domeabra Constituency.

  • NPP flagbearer elections: Bawumia, Alan, one other face vetting panel today

    NPP flagbearer elections: Bawumia, Alan, one other face vetting panel today

    Ahead of the highly anticipated primaries of the New Patriotic Party, a comprehensive vetting roster has been unveiled by the party to assess and evaluate the candidates vying for various positions.

    According to a statement issued by Secretary to the National Presidential Vetting Committee, Evans Nimako, the vetting will take place from today, July 3, 2023, to July 6, 2023.

    The first batch of candidates to face the panel today includes Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, former Trade and Industry Minister Alan K Kyerematen, and Energy Expert Kwadwo Poku.

    Dr. Bawumia is making his first attempt to vie for the NPP flagbearer position, after serving as the running mate and Vice President under President Nana Akufo-Addo for two terms.

    Mr. Kyerematen, popularly known as Alan Cash, has attempted to vie for the NPP flagbearer position twice in the past. The first time was in 2007, during the party’s primary elections for the 2008 general elections. The second attempt was in 2014, when he contested for the NPP flagbearer position ahead of the 2016 general elections. This becomes his third attempt to vie for the position.

    Mr. Poku is a newcomer to the NPP flagbearer race, having declared his intention to contest earlier this year.

    The second day of the vetting will see three more aspirants appearing before the committee. They are former Energy Minister Boakye Kyeremateng Agyarko, former NPP General Secretary Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, and Assin Central MP Kennedy Ohene Agyapong.

    The remaining aspirants will undergo the vetting on July 5 and 6. They are former Food and Agriculture Minister Owusu Afriyie Akoto, former MP for Asante Mampong Edward Addai-Nimo, Economist Kofi Konadu Apraku, and former Railways Minister Joe Ghartey.

    The vetting process is part of the NPP’s preparations for its presidential primary, which will determine the party’s flagbearer for the 2024 general election.

    The party has appealed to all presidential aspirants to respect the timetable and participate actively in the vetting process, which is crucial for assessing their visions, policies, and plans for the country.

    As of now, 10 candidates have successfully filed their nominations for the flagbearer race. However, only five candidates will make it to the final round of the vetting process.

    During the vetting process, aspirants are provided with an opportunity to showcase their visions, policies, and developmental plans for the country to the National Presidential Vetting Committee of the NPP.

    The presidential primaries, according to the party, will take place on November 4, 2023.

    Source: The Independent Ghana| Jessie Ola-Morris 

  • NPP releases vetting roster; Alan and Bawumia to face vetting committee same day

    NPP releases vetting roster; Alan and Bawumia to face vetting committee same day

    In preparation for the eagerly awaited presidential flagbearership race, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has declared the initiation of the vetting procedure for its presidential aspirants. Commencing on Monday, July 3, and concluding on Wednesday, July 6, 2023, the party’s vetting process marks a crucial step in determining the candidates who will contend for the coveted position.

    According to a statement issued by Evans Nimako, the Secretary to the National Presidential Vetting Committee, the first day of vetting, July 3, will see Alan John Kyerematen, former Minister for Trade and Industry, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, and Kwadwo Poku appearing before the committee.

    On July 4, the committee is scheduled to vet three more candidates Boakye Kyeremateng Agyarko, former Energy Minister, Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, a former NPP General Secretary, and Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, will all face scrutiny regarding their presidential aspirations.

    The remaining candidates will undergo the vetting process on July 5 and 6, as indicated in the statement. The NPP urges all presidential hopefuls to adhere to the schedule and actively participate in the vetting process, which is a crucial step in determining the party’s candidate for the upcoming general elections.

    However, the total number of the aspirants will be trimmed down to five during the first round of the vetting process.

    The vetting process serves as a platform for aspirants to present their visions, policies, and plans for the country’s development to the NPP’s National Presidential Vetting Committee.

    The election is slated for November 3, 2023.

  • NPP UE/R Council Elder names Bawumia as popular choice among floating voters

    NPP UE/R Council Elder names Bawumia as popular choice among floating voters

    Renowned Educationist and member of the Upper East Regional Council of Elders of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Robert Ajene has argued that the right person to lead the party in the 2024 General Elections as flag bearer is Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

    He stressed that the Vice President has proven that he has the capacity to lead, and is, therefore, the favourite of floating voters whose votes will tilt the scales in the NPP’s favour in 2024.

    “Bawumia has distinguished himself that he can do the work. He makes the canvassing easy. I think many delegates believe he is the right person to lead the party in the next election…

    “He is somebody who will get all the floating voters who have lined up already waiting for him. And if you say Bawumia, they say: “We know him. This is what he is doing. He is what can do it”.

    But if you say the other man, they will say: “Ah! What has he done to deserve this?” Then you’ll be whipping the donkey with the wrong cane so you won’t get it to move,’ he argued in an interview with Bolgatanga-based Dreamz FM’s State of Our Nation programme recently.

    Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and former Trade Minister Alan Kyeremanten are considered front-runners in the flagbearership race of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). But a massive endorsement from various quarters within the party seems to put the Vice President ahead of Mr Kyeremanten.

    A special Delegates Conference will be held later in August to prune down the number of aspirants to five given that 10 persons have so far successfully filed to contest.

  • Bawumia commissions 31.2 KM Assin-Praso-Assin-Fosu Road

    Bawumia commissions 31.2 KM Assin-Praso-Assin-Fosu Road

    Vice-President Dr Mahamadu Bawumia on Friday, commissioned the $50 million Assin-Fosu to Assin-Praso N8 highway in the Assin North District of the Central Region.

    The 31.2 km road project funded with the grant from the Japanese government, was executed by Shimizu Dai Nippon Joint Ventures, a construction firm, under the supervision of the Ghana Highways Authority.

    The project was completed six months before schedule.

    It started on Monday, January 13, 2020, and was expected to be completed on Sunday, December 31, 2023.

    The road would significantly facilitate the movement of goods, ensure easy access to markets and services, guarantee reductions in road accidents and road user costs, and improve travel time to enhance the social and economic lives of the people in the Assin area and beyond.

    More than 18 kilometres of the road is through the Assin North Constituency and the project scope includes a 1.2-kilometre dual stretch within the Assin-Fosu township and new drainage systems.

    Others are the construction of concrete pavements, and reconstruction of the railway underpass bridge with a reinforced box culvert among other ancillaries and dualization of a four-lane carriageway with a 1.2 km street lighting in Assin-Fosu.

    The stretch formed part of the 176 km N8 starting from Yamoransa near Cape Coast through major towns such as Abura-Dunkwa, Assin-Fosu and Assin-Praso, which ends at Anwiankwanta in the Ashanti Region and connects the N1 to the northern part of Ghana.

    The rehabilitation of the road being done in phases commenced with the first phase from Bekwai to Assin-Praso, which was completed in December 2013.

    The N8 was originally constructed between 1990 and 1994 with funding from the government of Japan.

    Commissioning the road, Vice-President Dr. Bawumia commended the Government of Japan for the gesture to better the lots of the people.

    He was grateful to the contractor for working hard to complete the project on schedule despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic that stalled construction works for months.

    The Vice President said as part of measures to ensure safety on the road, the Government would construct a disability friendly footbridge in Assin-Fosu to ensure pedestrian safety with a strong maintenance culture.

    The construction of the road is a great step in the development of road infrastructure in Ghana to reduce travel and freight from the Western, Central, Ashanti to the Northern Regions and neighbouring countries.

    “It is so beautiful to see this road so beautifully done. I’m so impressed with the work done, so this road is not a “green book” road but a “feeli-feeli,” Dr Bawumia stated.

    The Vice-President promised subsequent completion of the remaining 67 km of road from Assin-Fosu to Yamoransa.

    He mentioned some projects including the completion of a 70-meter span steel bridge at Kushea and the construction of a bridge over the river Pra at Twifo-Praso to separate vehicular traffic from rail over river Pra.

    Others are the rehabilitation of 32 km Mankessim-Abura Dunkwa road, which is 80 percent complete, the upgrading of 15 km Assin-Asampanaye-Kushea that is 70 percent complete, and the upgrading of Akonfodi town road which is 50 percent complete.

    He advised road users to adhere to basic road safety signs to reduce the occurrence of road accidents.

    Mr. Kwasi Amoako Atta, Roads Minister, commended the contractor for using modern technology, which made good use of the old road material and urged other road contractors to emulate.

    “The technology used is environmentally friendly,” he said, and commended them for the timely completion of the project to ease commuting challenges.

    Ms Hisanobu Mochizuki, the Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, said Japan as a nation was aware of the value of creating a solid infrastructure base and the role it could play in boosting and stimulating economies.

    That she said, had strengthened their resolve to help countries in Africa develop their infrastructure to transform their economies.

    That reinforced the recent visit by the Japanese Prime Minister Kishida to Ghana and had a wonderful bilateral meeting with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House.

    She said the Japanese government attached great importance to the promotion of business and investment in Ghana, considered one of the leading economic centers in West Africa.

    “Transportation infrastructure is crucial for promoting economic growth as well as business and investment in Ghana because without it, products and services will become less valuable.

    “Enhancing transportation connectivity with good roads opens up underserved communities to economic opportunity and promotes inclusive economic growth,” she said.

  • 6 NPP hopefuls seeking to ascend the high office of Presidency file nominations

    6 NPP hopefuls seeking to ascend the high office of Presidency file nominations

    Six hopefuls seeking the presidential candidacy of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have successfully filed their nomination forms ahead of the impending primaries.

    The nomination process, which commenced on Friday, May 26, 2023, saw a total of 11 candidates obtaining the necessary forms to participate in the primaries scheduled for Saturday, November 4, 2023.

    Among the candidates who have filed their nomination forms are Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, Alan Kyerematen (former Minister of Trade and Industry), Dr. Akoto Afriyie (former Minister for Food and Agriculture), Dr. Konadu Apraku (economist and former Minister for Regional Cooperation), Boakye Agyarko (former Minister for Energy) and Kennedy Agyapong.

    It is anticipated that two additional aspirants, Kwabena Agyei Agyapong (former General Secretary of the NPP), and Mr. Kojo Poku (an energy expert), will submit their nomination forms by the end of tomorrow, June 21, 2023.

    If more than five aspirants who have collected their forms proceed to file them by the closing date on Saturday, June 24, 2023, the NPP will convene a “Super Delegate Conference” on Saturday, August 26, 2023, as per the provisions in Article 12 (5) (b) of the NPP constitution.

    This conference involves a Special Electoral College comprising the National Council, the National Executive Committee, the Regional Executive Committees, the National Council of Elders, Members of Parliament, representatives from special organs of the party, past National Officers, representatives from external branches, founding members, and card-bearing Ministers of the NPP while in government.

    The NPP initiated the nominations process on Friday, May 26, 2023, which will conclude on Saturday, June 24, 2023. Aspirants who collected the forms are obliged to pay a non-refundable nomination fee of GH¢50,000.00.

    The completed nomination documents must be filed by Saturday, June 24, 2023, accompanied by a filing fee of GH¢300,000.00.

    As of today, Tuesday, June 21, 2023, six candidates, including Boakye Agyarko (former Minister for Energy), Francis Addai Nimoh (former Member of Parliament for Mampong Constituency), Kwabena Agyei Agyapong (former General Secretary of the NPP), Dr. Konadu Apraku (economist and former Minister for Regional Cooperation), Dr. Akoto Afriyie (former Minister for Food and Agriculture), Kennedy Agyapong (Member of Parliament for Assin Central constituency), have submitted their nomination forms to participate in the presidential primaries.

    The remaining contenders who have also collected their forms are Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Mr. Kojo Poku (energy expert), Alan Kyerematen (former Minister of Trade and Industry), and Joe Ghartey (former Minister for Railways Development and Member of Parliament for Essikado-Ketan constituency in the Western Region).

  • Bawumia will get more votes in the north because of his father – Paul Adom Otchere

    Bawumia will get more votes in the north because of his father – Paul Adom Otchere

    Ghanaian broadcast journalist and the host of Good Evening Ghana, Paul Adom-Otchere, has suggested that Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia will sweep majority of the votes in the northern part of the country in the 2024 elections should he be declared flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

    In his recent documentary on Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s candidature aired on June 20, Paul Adom-Otchere attributed the Vice President’s victory to the good works of his father, Alhaji Mumuni Bawumia.

    Alhaji Mumuni Bawumia was a teacher, lawyer and politician, a Mamprugu Royal and Chief of the Kpariga Traditional Area at the time of his death in September, 2002.

    He was a founding member of the Northern Peoples’ Party alongside Chief S. D. Dombo, Chief Abeifa Karbo, Yakubu Tali, the Tolon Naa, and J. A. Braimah, Kabachewura.

    The Northern Peoples Party, together with the National Liberation Movement and other opposition political parties, later merged into the United Party, the forebearer of the current New Patriotic Party.

    Alhaji Bawumia served under various Ghanaian governments including that of Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s in various capacities, including member of the Northern Territories Council, the Gold Coast Legislative Assembly, a Member of Parliament of the First Republic, Northern Regional Minister, and Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. He was the Minister Local Government in the second Parliament of the First Republic.

    Alhaji Bawumia also served as chairman of the Council of State under the presidency of Jerry John Rawlings from 1993 to 2000 in the 4th republic.

    Per the documentary, due to “Dr Bawumia’s father’s influence during Rawlings’ regime and that of Nkrumah, he is likely to receive support from individuals in the north who held his father in high esteem.”

    Paul Adom-Otchere asserted that with the current majority of parliamentary seats in the north held by the NPP, the Vice President has a comparative advantage.

    Currently, the NPP holds 16 parliamentary seats in the north while the NDC has 15 seats.

  • Bawumia is here to work, not to amass wealth – Spokesperson

    Bawumia is here to work, not to amass wealth – Spokesperson

    Spokesperson of Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has stressed that unlike others, his boss is vying to be a president to serve Ghanaians and not to amass wealth.

    In a June 20, 2022 interview on Citi TV, Dr. Gideon Boako, disclosed that Bawumia entered politics to serve and that is the motivation behind his bid to ascend to the presidency on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

    He stressed the political weight of his principal stating that Bawumia was the most influential person in terms of ideas and vision in Ghana’s politics.

    “I think Dr. Bawumia has been the most influential person in our politics in terms of ideas and vision. A vision that you can identify with. Politics has moved to politics of ideas, so you need such visionary leaders who have organized themselves well and committed themselves.

    “You can see through them that they are not into politics to amass wealth for themselves. But they are into politics to ensure that things work. That has been the Vice President, working to make sure things are done properly. The people see him to be a unifier,” he underscored.

    Boako also addressed tribal concerns swirling around the candidature of Bawumia who could potentially become the first Northerner to run on the ticket of the NPP as a presidential candidate.

    “The NPP has a candidate who is not an Akan, the advantage it brings to the party is that, while there will not be any motivation for an NPP supporter in the Akan area to say I won’t vote for Bawumia because he’s a Northerner and I’m going to vote for a former President John Dramani Mahama who is also a Northerner.

    “You are able to consolidate your gains in your strongholds. Then you leave Dr. Bawumia and Mr. Mahama to fight in the strongholds of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) where they both come from.

    “And see whether or not your candidate will have a competitive advantage over the NDC in his own backyard. That is where the strength of Dr. Bawumia comes in. Dr. Bawumia has been able to exert a lot of influence to the advantage of the NPP in the North”.

    Bawumia will come up against other contenders like Alan Kyerematen, Kennedy Agyapong, Francis Addai-Nimoh, Kofi Konadu Apraku and others in the race to lead the NPP into the 2024 elections.

  • Parliament compelled to adjourn as NPP MPs accompany Bawumia to file nomination forms

    Parliament compelled to adjourn as NPP MPs accompany Bawumia to file nomination forms

    Parliament has been forced to abandon proceedings for today, Friday, June 16, 2023, following the decision by New Patriotic Party(NPP) Members of Parliament to accompany Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to file his nomination forms to contest for the flagbearer slot of the party.

    The house could not constitute the 93 members needed to form a quorum to transact business.

    The development was brought to the attention of the 1st deputy speaker Joseph Osei-Owusu who was presiding over some Minority MPs led by Tema East MP Isaac Odamten.

    After leadership of both sides failed to overlook the matter, the Speaker was compelled to adjourn proceedings to next week Tuesday even though Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta was in the house to answer questions from MPs including an urgent one from Tamale South MP Haruna Iddrisu on government’s indebtedness to SSNIT.

    The Vice President and flagbearer aspirant of the New Patriotic Party, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is expected to submit his nomination forms today, June 16, 2023.

    His nomination forms were picked on his behalf last month by some bigwigs of the party including former Vice Chairman of the NPP, Fred Oware and former National Organiser, Sammy Awuku.

    He will be the second aspiring candidate to file his nomination forms after one of his contenders, Alan Kyerematen, submitted his forms on Monday.

    On his Facebook page, Dr. Bawumia wrote: “Dear Friends, God willing… Friday, 16 June, I shall file my nomination forms and contest the New Patriotic Party (NPP: Development in Freedom) Presidential Primary. It is possible.”

    The NPP on May 26, 2023, opened nominations for its Presidential Primaries and will close it on June 24, 2023.

    So far, 10 presidential hopefuls have picked up nomination forms to contest the NPP’s flagbearer slot.

    They include Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, the immediate past Minister of Food and Agriculture, Kennedy Agyapong, the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Mr. Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, the immediate past Minister of Trade and Industry, Kwabena Adjei Agyapong, a former General-Secretary of the Party and Joe Ghartey, the Member of Parliament for Essikadu-Ketan and former Minister of Railway Development.

    A Special Delegates Congress will be held on August 26, 2023, to select five of the presidential aspirants.

    The top five aspirants will then contest for the flagbearer slot on December 4, 2023, to elect one to lead the party in the 2024 general elections.

  • Bawumia as flagbearer will remove NPP Akan party tag – Nana Akomea

    Bawumia as flagbearer will remove NPP Akan party tag – Nana Akomea

    Managing Director of the State Transport Company, Nana Akomea has provided compelling justifications for the election of Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). 

    Mr Akomea asserts that the Vice President’s election as the next flagbearer of the NPP will greatly benefit the party and also dispel the perception that the NPP is an Akan dominated party.

    In his view, a party battling a tag as an ‘Akan party’ needs a candidate who can appeal to none Akans ahead of the 2024 general election.

    The NPP‘s presidential election is almost a two-horse race between Dr Bawumia and former Minister for Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen.

    Having contested in previous flagbearer election with President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, people argue that he should be the obvious successor.

    STC boss

    But Mr Akomea on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Friday said it will be unwise for the NPP to choose an Akan flagbearer again.

    He said choosing Dr Bawumia would be a fine opportunity to remove the Akan tag used against the NPP by the opposition National Democratic Congress.

    “Dr Bawumia gives us the best chance of getting none Akan votes in the 2024 general election,” he added.

    The STC boss underscored the need for the NPP to extinguish any ethnic biases by its opponents as it seeks to retain power and break the eight.

  • I worked as a cleaner, taxi driver to survive in the university – Bawumia

    I worked as a cleaner, taxi driver to survive in the university – Bawumia

    Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has shared a poignant personal story from his youth. 

    Addressing a crowd of enthusiastic party faithfuls while filing his nomination, the Vice President took a nostalgic trip down memory lane, recounting his humble beginnings and emphasising the value of hard work and perseverance.

    He revealed that he had once worked as a cleaner in his younger days, as he sought to make ends meet and overcome the challenges life had presented him. 

    Chronicling the journey from his childhood days to date, he noted that: “It has not been an easy journey, it has taken a lot of hard work, discipline, and dedication to get here. I have been a by-day worker on farms during the holidays in secondary school, I have been a warehouse boy even after finishing university, and I have been a mini truck driver.

    “I have been a warehouse boy even after finishing university. I have been a minicab driver. I was only able to pay fees for one term during my studies at Oxford University and I had to survive for the rest of my studies without paying fees thanks to my college. I only settled my fees in arrears after I started work following the completion of my PhD in Canada. I have also been a cleaner of dormitories in my university days in Ghana,” he said.

    He mentioned that it was through these difficult experiences that he learned the invaluable lesson that hard work and determination can pave the way for success.

    “My life experience tells me never to take anything for granted and always to have respect for people no matter their stature in life, no matter how big or small they are. The cleaner or the driver you meet today could be the vice president or the president tomorrow,” he said.

    He also said his life experience has taught him to eschew discrimination in his dealings with people.

    The Vice President is among ten candidates who will be contesting in the upcoming NPP presidential primary ceteris paribus. So far, he has filed his nomination in anticipation for the big day. 

    He will be contesting with the likes of former Trades Minister, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, former Agric Minister, Dr Afriyie Akoto, former General Secretary of the NPP, Mr Kwabena Agyei Agyapong, Assin Central MP, Ken Agyapong, etc.

  • Voting for Bawumia will make our work easier – NDC to NPP

    Voting for Bawumia will make our work easier – NDC to NPP

    A private legal practitioner and member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) legal team, Abraham Amaliba, has advised the New Patriotic Party (NPP) members to select vice president, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as the party’s flagbearer.

    Speaking to the media he said this will make the chances of the NDC capturing power in 2024 easier.

    The comments by Amaliba were on the back of data released by Global InfoAnalytics that suggests that the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has a higher chance of becoming the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) with a 34.8% percentage.

    To him, the Vice President is a damaged commodity who is no match for the NDC.

    “I will not waste time, Dr Bawumia is already a damaged commodity. I know the establishments are interested in Dr Bawumia. Bring him in, vote for him and he will make our work very easy for us,” he said.

    Lawyer Amaliba added that Ghanaians have records of how Vice President, Dr Bawumia, swayed his way to power with the NPP.

    Thus, he lacks credibility to be the country’s President.

    “After all, Ghanaians have his voices, all the things he said before he came to power. Ghanaians have his vox pop, they will sit in their rooms and play those things and listen to whether this is a credible person they will want to become the president,” he noted.

    He continued to say that as a party, National Democratic Congress (NDC), they are not perturbed by who wins the flagbearership of the NPP, they are prepared to win the elections come 2024.

    “We in the NDC do not care who they bring in. The last time I sat here, I said the horse is weak, so it doesn’t matter which rider you bring in. Once the horse is weak, it cannot run, the NPP is weak.

    “Ghanaians want to see the back of this government and they want to do that very fast,” he continued.

  • You can brag about your money but Bawumia has the vision – Former NPP Comms Director slams Ken Agyapong

    You can brag about your money but Bawumia has the vision – Former NPP Comms Director slams Ken Agyapong

    Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Director of Communications, Yaw Adomako Baafi has subtly taken a swipe at the party’s flagbearer hopeful Kennedy Agyapong, stating that despite his wealth, he cannot boast of the vision that Vice President Bawumia possesses.

    In an awe-inspiring endorsement of the Vice President’s candidature, Yaw Adomako Baafi called on Kennedy Agyapong, the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, to reflect on his surroundings before bragging about his acquired wealth.

    “You can brag about your money before delegates as followers of Bawumia we might not have money, but Bawumia has the vision”, he said.

    During an interview on the Wontumi Morning Show, Adomako Baafi advised Agyapong not to forget his past when he also faced hardship.

    Adomako Baafi expressed his disappointment that Agyapong did not consider the impoverished individuals around him before bragging about his riches. He stated, “You were standing before the poor and needy, and you were bragging about your riches… please excuse my language; only a fool can be given a proverb and have its meaning explained to them.”

    While emphasising his admiration for Agyapong, Adomako Baafi disclosed that he had been barred from making appearances on Agyapong’s radio station.

    He sadly shared, “As we speak today, he has sacked me from making an appearance at his radio station. I have worked at Oman FM, especially on the Boiling Point show, but didn’t receive a dime.”
    Adomako Baafi was responding to Kennedy Agyapong’s allegation against him.

    Speaking to NPP members at the Agortime Ziofe Constituency in the Volta Region over the weekend, Agyapong accused Baafi of deliberately lying to the party folks just to gain support for the candidate he is supporting in the NPP flagbearer race.

    He said that he bought a car for the former NPP national executive and even gave him money to go to the hospital when he was sick, but today he is spreading lies because of politics.

    According to Kennedy Agyapong he is able to speak the truth because he is rich and does not fear anyone.

    However, Adomako Baafi in his response emphasized that although Agyapong may boast of his wealth, Vice President Bawumia possesses the vision that sets him apart.

  • Hawa Koomson declares Bawumia the best person to change Ghana

    Hawa Koomson declares Bawumia the best person to change Ghana

    Mavis Hawa Koomson, the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development has thrown her weight behind the candidature of the Dr Mahamudu Bawumia to lead the New Patriotic Party (NPP) into the 2024 general elections.

    She said the Vice President is the best and only candidate that will be accepted by the governing party.

    Hawa Koomson, also MP for Awutu Senya East said Dr Bawumia is the one among aspirants to the NPP flagbearership with the vision fitting enough to step in the shoes of President Akufo-Addo and steer the affairs of the country.

    She was speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosiisen programme in Accra, and discounted claims that the NPP had a tradition that required that the Vice President bided his time for others thought to be riper for the job.

    According to Hawa Koomson, the number of NPP MPs who are rooting for Bawumia’s candidature is proof that he is destined to be the next president to succeed Nana Akufo-Addo, describing Bawumia as ‘God-sent.’

    “Have you asked yourself why majority members of parliament are supporting Dr. Bawumia? Have you asked yourself this question before?”, she quipped, and explained that it is so because of what they have seen of him as “the only person who can change this country” to add to what President Akufo-Addo has achieved for Ghana.

    She said Bawumia has learned the ropes, and while his speeches prove that he has indeed matured, he also makes a lot of sense to Ghanaians.

    According to Hawa Koomson, the NPP believes in democracy hence has opened the race for as many NPP folks as are interested and qualify to put in their bid but at the end of the day, it is Dr. Bawumia who will emerge the party’s candidate.

    She said the race to the presidency is no child’s play for unserious people to just seek the mantle and jettison it, neither is it a queue in the NPP for anyone to claim they have been around for the longest time and should therefore be fielded by the party.

    The party ticket, she maintained, will be given to the one capable of continuing the good works of President Akufo-Addo, with Bawumia’s support, and not anyone who will come and destroy same.

    Hawa Koomson said with more than 100 NPP MPs supporting Dr. Bawumia’s candidature, there is no way any other aspirant will stand any good chance to win the slot, explaining that for her constituency in the Awutu Senya East for example, all the executives, with the exception of one or two, have endorsed Dr. Bawumia.

  • Babies will be registered under the Ghana card scheme in July – Bawumia

    Babies will be registered under the Ghana card scheme in July – Bawumia

    The vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has stated that new born babies will be registered under the Ghana Card scheme starting from July at various hospitals.

    The move, he explained follows the completion of the integration of the National Identification Authority (NIA), Ghana Health Service (GHS) and Births and Deaths Registry databases.

    Speaking in the United Kingdom on Saturday, June 10, during the International Women’s Conference, the Vice President announced, “We have taken off the problem of fake birth certificates, bureaucracy, and corruption at the Birth and Deaths Registry. What we have done is to digitalise the processes at the Birth and Death Registry and linked their system with the Ghana Health Service and the NIA”.

    “I have not yet announced in Ghana, I’m happy to announce that the integration of the database of the NIA, GHS, and the Birth and Deaths Registry is complete. So from next month, when a child is born in Ghana, we will issue the Ghana Card number right from birth”.

    The National Identification Authority has registered over 17 million Ghanaians onto its system.

    The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has announced that babies will be issued Ghana Card numbers at birth, following the completion of the integration of the NIA, GHS and Births & Deaths Registry databases.

He was speaking in the United Kingdom. #CitiNewsroom pic.twitter.com/hkMME5V5YN

— CitiNewsroom (@Citi973) June 10, 2023
  • NPP Primaries: Former MP endorses Dr Bawumia

    NPP Primaries: Former MP endorses Dr Bawumia

    Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has been endorsed by a former NPP Member of Parliament for Okaikoi North, Issah Fuseini as the best candidate to lead the New Patriotic Party into victory in the upcoming 2024 general elections.

    Former NPP Member of Parliament for Okaikoi North, Issah Fuseini has appealed to the delegates of the ruling New Patriotic Party to elect Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as flagbearer of the party.

    Contributing to Peace FM’s ‘kokrokoo’ show, Issah Fuseini touted Dr. Bawumia as the best candidate to lead the NPP into victory in the next general elections. 

    He noted that the Vice President has proven through his works that he deserves to be President of Ghana. 

    “Even as Vice President, he has proven himself like this. What about when he becomes a President?”, he told host Nana Yaw Kesseh.

    Nominations for the Presidential primary opened on May 26 and is expected to end on June 24, 2023. 

    umia as flagbearer of the party.

    Contributing to Peace FM’s ‘kokrokoo’ show, Issah Fuseini touted Dr. Bawumia as the best candidate to lead the NPP into victory in the next general elections. 

    He noted that the Vice President has proven through his works that he deserves to be President of Ghana. 

    “Even as Vice President, he has proven himself like this. What about when he becomes a President?”, he told host Nana Yaw Kesseh.

    Nominations for the Presidential primary opened on May 26 and is expected to end on June 24, 2023. 

  • NPP Council of Elders Chairman proposes consensus candidate ahead of presidential primaries

    NPP Council of Elders Chairman proposes consensus candidate ahead of presidential primaries

    Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Council of Elders, Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, says the Council is engaging flagbearer aspirants in crucial talks to persuade some to withdraw from race, so the party can have a consensus candidate.

    Ten individuals, including the Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and former Trades Minister, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, have all picked nomination forms to contest for the flagbearership position.

    Chairman of the Council of Elders, Hackman Owusu-Agyemang believes the party’s interest will be better served if the aspirants could agree on what he calls a “consensus candidate.”

    “We’ve pressed upon them what we call negotiation in political strategy, and if the strategy demands that some people must step down, I think in the interest of the party and its unity, it will not be out of place.”

    “Even if after the electoral college, we keep talking as a fraternity, then we should be able to understand ourselves.”

    “For my personal view, I think that if we can look at the issue of getting a consensus candidate it will help us tremendously,” he said.

    Mr Hackman Owusu Agyemang is one of the people who firmly believes that the NPP’s decision to allow as many as 17 people to contest for the flagbearership position ahead of the 2008 elections, was the reason the party lost that presidential election.

    The party elder called that single decision a “major mistake.”

    In a media interview in August 2021, he said ““[It was] in the year 2008 where we had 17 of our people in competition to be president. If at the time we had the understanding that it will not help us and the best thing to do was to have one or two compete for it, we would not have lost that election. That did not help us break that 8-year cycle that was beginning to establish itself. That was a major mistake.”

    Meanwhile, the NPP says two persons have picked forms in a bid to represent the party as its candidate in the Assin North by-election.

    The party’s Director of Elections, Evans Nimako made this known.

    “Two people have picked up their nomination forms, we have Fredrick Amoah Kyei and Charles Opoku. Nominations have come to an end, the party’s committee chaired by the national first vice chairperson Mr. Danquah Smith will sit with the committee to conduct the vetting.”

    “EC itself is tied with time because it must operate within 30 days, same as the party, so you realize from the corresponding issue by the General Secretary, it directed that as much as possible the constituency is ready.”

    “The conduct of the exercise will be very swift so on Wednesday 7th of June the party will conduct the primary to select the candidate we’ll sponsor for the by-election,” he said.

  • Bawumia writes in UK Guardian: Africa will be transformed by the potential of AI and data

    Bawumia writes in UK Guardian: Africa will be transformed by the potential of AI and data

    As we see the artificial intelligence furore sweep across continents, one thing is clear: Africans have a goldmine at our fingertips. A rapidly growing population of 1.4 billion people, 70% under the age of 30, combined with huge growth in AI investments, creates a potent recipe for Africa. We will not sit back and wait for the rest of the world to reap our rewards.

    Africa and the Middle East are set to see the fastest growth in AI spending worldwide, reaching $3bn (£2.4bn) this year and a predicted $6.4bn by 2026.

    Africa missed the first, second and third industrial revolutions, but I am determined that our continent will not miss the fourth and fifth.

    The piece in the puzzle that will make this a reality is data, driven by highly skilled national tech expertise, and private-sector investments. For every dollar invested in data systems, there is an average return of $32. Data is the lifeblood for making decisions and is what will unlock an independent, wealthy future for Africa, making sure that new economic opportunities are shared.

    Since Google opened its first Africa-based AI research centre in Accra in 2019, we have already seen progress in agriculture, healthcare, education and more.

    Farmers, in particular, are set to benefit. One project is helping Ghanaian cashew farmers use unmanned aerial vehicles in an AI-powered disease-detection innovation. The flying robots collect data from the leaves, stems and trunks of the cashew trees, allowing farmers to detect pest and disease symptoms before they become visible and lead to serious crop damage.

    The initiative, funded by the German development agency GIZ, holds particular value because half of the world’s cashew nuts are grown in Africa.

    Another project uses AI to help smallholder farmers in Ghana predict post-harvest shortages and gluts. The technology aims to build better prediction models for crop yields that will give Ghana and the region far greater food security. Given the volatility of managing a smallholder farm, this project – run by the Ghanaian non-profit organisation AGRI-WEB – will help the farmers secure a more stable and sustainable income.

    As the 33m smallholder farms in Africa contribute up to 70% of the food supply, the potentially transformative impact of this data-driven technology on livelihoods and food security across the region is vast.

    During the pandemic, I saw first-hand how essential data is for us in shaping our decision-making. Through a project with the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data, Vodafone Ghana and others, our scientists gathered anonymised mobile phone data from across Ghana’s districts. By looking at how the number of active users changed, we could see how effective lockdowns were in restricting people’s movement. This was vital in telling us when to lift and when to renew measures. Having in-country experts who collect and analyse data holds enormous potential for African decision-makers.

    With the growing numbers of young people being trained in data and AI in Ghana, we have a workforce ready to take on the tech revolution and drive progress and economic transformation across the continent. In 2021, Ghana’s Academic City University College in Accra became the first African higher education institution to launch a degree in artificial intelligence.

    But we, and the world, cannot sit back and wait. We must stay focused on growing and nurturing this workforce of data experts. As the AI acceleration changes the nature of work, we must prepare a generation of young people to be at the forefront of the revolution, leading Africa into this new era.

    This year’s global summits, from New Delhi to New York, provide a historic opportunity for a new way of doing development. In Ghana, we welcomed the Indian government’s commitment to making data for development a priority at this year’s G20 meeting.

    But world leaders must show commitment to this agenda at the UN sustainable development goal summit in New York in September, focusing on funding, and building capacity development, skills and partnerships. Data is critical for Africa and the world to achieve the sustainable development goals. And yet decisions are still being made in the dark. For eight of the 17 goals, fewer than half of all countries have data to report.

    There is no time to wait. I know that investing in private- and public-sector workforces and building joined-up data systems will unlock the potential opportunities that AI offers. This is what will break down the digital divide between countries and allow Ghana and our African neighbours to be in control of our own success.

    It is critical that this revolution is driven by locally led solutions – and brains.

    Mahamudu Bawumia is vice-president of Ghana and head of the government’s Economic Management Team.

  • Alan expected to pick up nomination form for NPP presidential race today

    Alan expected to pick up nomination form for NPP presidential race today

    Former Trade and Industry Minister, Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen will pick his nomination forms for the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP)’s flagbearership contest today, Wednesday, May 31, 2023.

    According to sources, a delegation will pick up the forms on his behalf at the party’s headquarters. 

    The NPP will elect its flagbearer for the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections in November and so far 11 aspirants have declared their intention to contest for the position. 

    However, since Friday, May 26 when nominations opened, seven persons have so far picked the nomination forms which cost GHs 50,000.

    These include Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, a former Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko, a former General Secretary of the party, Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, a former MP for Mampong, Francis Addai-Nimoh, a former Agriculture Minister, Dr Owusu Afryie Akoto, Energy Analyst, Kwadwo Poku. 

    Meanwhile, the filing fee has been pegged at GH¢300,000. 

  • Bawumia enters NPP Presidential race

    Bawumia enters NPP Presidential race

    Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has officially entered the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential race, as members of his camp on Tuesday picked up a nomination form for him.

    This comes after national executives of the party rejected an earlier attempt by members of the ‘Bawumia Fun Club’ to pick the form for him, accompanied by a cheque for the mandated GHS 50,000.

    The group had on Friday, May 26, attempted to pick the presidential nomination forms for Dr. Bawumia to contest the presidential candidacy of the ruling party, however, the party said it had no authorisation from the campaign team of the vice president to receive the endorsement.

    Speaking to JoyNews after picking up the form on Tuesday, however, former Chief Executive Officer of the Bui Power Authority, Fred Oware who was accompanied by the Director-General of the National Lottery Authority, Sammi Awuku, said they were authorised to do so.

    Explaining why the team was not flanked by party supporters, Mr. Oware said it “was a private assignment.”

    Bawumia picks NPP flagbearer nomination form

    Backing this stance, Mr. Sammi Awuku added that, Dr Bawumia will be ready to communicate with the media after filing the form.

    On May 3, 2023, the Vice President declared his intention to lead the NPP in the 2024 general election.

    The Vice-President told the Majority Caucus in Parliament last Tuesday of his intention to contest the presidential primary slated for November 4, this year.

    This disclosure to the Majority Caucus in Parliament was reiterated at an informal meeting with NPP supporters in Hohoe over the weekend.

    “I want you to know that I appreciate your support. We are going to break the 8. First of all, we are going to file for the flagbearership which I’m going to do, win the flagbearership, break the 8, and go to Jubilee House. That is what I’m going to do,” Dr. Bawumia noted.

    Bawumia picks NPP flagbearer nomination form

    The Vice-President is in the race with former Trade and Industry Minister, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen; former Food and Agriculture Minister, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto; Assin Central Member of Parliament (MP), Kennedy Agyapong, and a former MP for Mampong in the Ashanti Region, Francis Addai Nimoh.

    The rest are a former Minister of Justice and Attorney General and MP for Essikado-Ketan, Joe Ghartey; a former General Secretary of the NPP, Kwabena Agyepong; Former Trade Minister Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku and former Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko.

    The party is expected to elect one of the nine as its presidential candidate for the 2024 election. 

    Already, six people have picked up forms to contest in the flagbearership race.

    Nomination for the presidential primary began on May 26 and is expected to end on June 24, 2023.

    The party’s parliamentary primaries are scheduled for February next year.

  • Critics of Bawumia’s candidacy are politically ignoramus – Carlos Ahenkorah

    Critics of Bawumia’s candidacy are politically ignoramus – Carlos Ahenkorah

    Member of Parliament for Tema West constituency, Carlos Ahenkorah has mounted a spirited defense for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia following comments by a Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Lecturer that he (Bawumia) cannot be president.

    Mr Ahenkora who is a known supporter of Mr. John Alan Kwadwo Kyeremanten in the New Patriotic Party(NPP) flagbearer race, revealed that he personally started calling Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia Mr President in 2017.

    He says anyone who thinks Dr Mahamudu Bawumia will not be the President of Ghana certainly does not understand politics in Ghana or is naturally ignorant

    He made this known when he appeared on Accra-based UTV’s AdeKye Nsroma.

    The Parliamentarian said “If you’re a member of the New Patriotic Party and you are observant and thoughtful and you can say Dr Mahamudu Bawumia will not be a President in Ghana then you don’t understand how politics works.

    He continued “That man, that Doctor, will be a President in this country. I call him Mr President and I’ve been calling him Mr President since 2017. He will certainly be a President of this country”.

  • Yaw Adomako Baafi talks why Bawumia is the best VEEP in Ghana’s history

    Yaw Adomako Baafi talks why Bawumia is the best VEEP in Ghana’s history

    Former Director of Communications of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Yaw Adomako Baafi has been speaking on why he thinks Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is the most successful Vice President in the country’s history.

    Mr. Yaw Adomako Baafi has also said the Vice President is fit to lead the New Patriotic Party (NPP) hence those criticising his candidature might not know he is the one person who has a lot to offer.

    “When you go through the history of Ghana from the era of Busia for the most successful Vice President, you can’t take out Dr. Bawumia”, Mr. Yaw Adomako Baafi told Hello FM in an interview monitored by MyNewsGH.com.

    “President Akufo-Addo choosing Bawumia as running mate was an indication that he satisfied a lot of things in the party. He has proven his competence upon assumption of office in 2017”, he emphasized.

    He argued that, though the 1992 Constitution of Ghana does not spell out specifically the role of a vice president, Dr. Bawumia has rolled out a lot of good initiatives for the country.

    “The constitution is silent on the role of the Vice President therefore he can’t take any role unless in the absence of the President when he becomes the caretaker. But this man stood outside the box and brought digitization into the country”, he observed.

    “He thought outside the box by bringing drones for the delivery of essential medicines to health facilities across the country. It took Bawumia’s research to secure victory for our victory in 2016”, he added.

    Though Dr. Bawumia is yet to officially announce his intention to run as flagbearer of the NPP, details of a meeting with the Majority in Parliament on the matter leaked suggesting he will contest.

  • Asabee downplays claim that Bawumia is not qualified due to religion

    Asabee downplays claim that Bawumia is not qualified due to religion

    Former Mfantsiman West MP Stephen Asamoah Boateng has downplayed the impact of the religious argument against Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s chances of winning the 2024 election should he emerge as the flagbearer.

    Ahead of the governing party’s presidential primaries, various arguments for and against the two main contenders, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and Alan Kyerematen have emerged.

    In the case of Dr. Bawumia, while many have berated him for the ailing Ghanaian economy considering the significant role he played before and after the NPP came to power, there are concerns within the party and among some Ghanaians about his religious status and how that could affect his electability at the national polls.

    Although Ghana is a secular state, the proponents of this argument believe that with 70 per cent of the population being Christian, a Muslim presidential candidate may find it extremely difficult to win a presidential election, although Islam is the second largest religion in Ghana.

    Mr. Asamoah Boateng, who has emphatically stated his support for the candidature of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, is convinced that the party can surmount this challenge should Dr. Bawumia emerge as the presidential candidate.

    Speaking on Citi TV on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, he argued that once Ghanaians have lived together peacefully despite religious and tribal differences, that should not be an impediment to Dr. Bawumia once he has proven his ability to lead the country into prosperity.

    “I am trying not to be the spokesperson for Dr. Bawumia. That’s an issue that I have heard, but I think that’s something we can explain and we can work it out. We have lived together peacefully, both Christians and Muslims, Buddhists, and even the traditionalists, and I haven’t heard any fight anywhere. So when people say he’s a Muslim, I ask and so? That’s his belief, I am a Christian and I like him. We are building a nation, and so we should rise above the tribal and religious arguments and see ourselves as one people, and focus on somebody who can lead us into the prosperity we’re looking for.”

    On the matter of the ailing Ghanaian economy and how that could scuttle Dr. Bawumia’s chances, Mr. Asamoah Boateng said the economy was in good standing until the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country.

    “Before COVID hit us, our economic indicators were all high. It’s a known fact that the economy wasn’t as bad before COVID hit us. If you look at the trend, we are performing better than most countries now. When you go down into almost a recession, it will take a while to bounce back. It’s not the borrowing, it’s a question of things not working the way we wanted it” he argued.

    Mr. Asamoah Boateng said Dr. Bawumia has proven to have the strength and character to lead the NPP and become the President after 2024.

    “It’s Alan and Bawumia who are the leading contenders. Of course, there are others including my own brother Kennedy Agyapong. For me, I don’t belong to A or B, although I can tell you for a fact that I will prefer Bawumia’s side.

    “I believe that he [Bawumia] has the character and the strength, and he’s learned on the job very quickly, and he also comes in as very humble and down to earth who embraces everybody. And in politics, that kind of trait is very key and people must be able to relate to you, so that’s what I think, but the delegates will decide. It is known in the party that I am on his [Bawumia’s] side” he noted.

    The former Director-General of the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA) added that “Looking at what he’s done since he came into the limelight as a running mate and as a vice, he’s one of those people I have seen in politics who has matured very fast and quick and smart. And he’s got the strength and the character to withstand the pressures.”

    “And I also remember that for 2016, winning was partly due to him [Bawumia]. I will give him a bigger chunk of it. He ran the campaign and he was on the attack. And when you’re in the political arena, you must have the stomach to be on the front foot and he’s on the front foot. The others I don’t want to comment on, because I am only talking about the one that I think should be given the nod to lead the party.”

  • The untold story of the outgoing secretary of the church of Pentecost

    The untold story of the outgoing secretary of the church of Pentecost

    Whoever thought that a street boy, perched in a tailoring kiosk in Suhum Amponsah Market with his well-known drunkard father, and whose mother was the daughter of a chief fetish priest, could be saved and have the opportunity to be schooled and become a Minister of the Gospel? Isn’t it sheer grace? Who is this person?

    How did he come out of obscurity and attain prominence? Indeed, with God, all things are possible. The man in perspective is the indefatigable Apostle Ing.

    Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, the outgoing General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost, who has served the Church, God, and the country in that capacity for the past ten years.


    Apostle Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi is not ashamed of his ugly and hopeless past, from which only the mighty hand of God could snatch him and give him an expected end.

    No wonder this man is so passionate about evangelism and soul-winning. Whenever he mounts the stage to preach, he narrates where God took him from and where he is now.

    His testimony is so touching that it leaves most of his listeners weeping and eager to hear more.
    Through him, his drunkard father, and his idol-worshipping mother, came to the saving knowledge of Christ.

    Today, he can pride himself on building a formidable and well-respected Christian family.

    46th General Council Meeting Elections

    In the next few days, The Church of Pentecost will elect a new General Secretary to replace Apostle Kumi-Larbi at the upcoming 46th Session of the General Council Meetings. This meeting will take place from May 3rd to May 5th, 2023, at the Pentecost Convention Centre (PCC), Gomoa Fetteh in the Central Region.

    The event will have His Excellency Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, as the Special Guest of Honour.


    This piece does not attempt to speculate in any way about who will become the next General Secretary of the largest Pentecostal/Charismatic Church in Ghana. Rather, it seeks to eulogize the achievements of the hardworking outgoing General Secretary and his life experiences. Additionally, it will highlight the position of the General Secretary, which is regarded as the second-highest position within The Church of Pentecost.


    How it all began


    In 2013, when the “gentle giant,” Apostle Dr Alfred Koduah ended his second five-year tenure as the General Secretary of the Church, the then Chairman of the Church, Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah, noticed a young Apostle named Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi, who was in charge of the Asamankese Area of the Church at the time.


    Looking back over the past ten years, the general consensus among the Church populace is that Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah could not have chosen a better person, as Apostle Kumi-Larbi has exceeded all expectations.


    Apostle Kumi-Larbi served under Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah for five years and has worked with the current Chairman and newly elected President of the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC), Apostle Eric Nyamekye, for the past five years.

    With tenacity, enthusiasm, and zeal, Apostle Kumi-Larbi has carried out the implementation of the Church’s Vision 2023 of the ‘Possessing the Nations’ agenda.


    Chairman Eric Nyamekye sometimes wonders whether the General Secretary even sleeps since he is always on the move to ensure the realisation of the vision.

    In one of the events organised by the Church in November last year, Apostle Nyamekye virtually wept when he introduced Apostle Kumi-Larbi and indicated that he [Kumi-Larbi] would be attending the annual conference for the last time in his official capacity as the General Secretary of the Church.


    Election of the General Secretary

    The Church of Pentecost is touted for its excellent governance structure, which has enabled the Church to endure the test of time and emerge as a prominent, thriving global Church.


    Chapter 3 of the Church’s Constitution outlines the Administration of the Church, which specifies the various administrative structures and how the Principal Officers (Chairman, General Secretary, and International Missions Director) and other key officers are selected.


    Article 14 of the Constitution sets out the qualifications for the General Secretary as a mature Minister of the Church with a good standard of education. The General Secretary’s duties include: managing the Church’s correspondence, being accountable to the Chairman for the Head Office Administration, serving as an ex-officio member of all Boards and Committees, holding the official seal of the Church and reporting to the General Council on the Headquarters Administration’s performance.


    The Church of Pentecost’s method of selecting its key officers has upheld the Church’s sanctity, unity, and rapid and sustainable growth. The Church does not have elections or contests for higher positions or offices.

    Instead, suitable persons are chosen to occupy leadership positions in the Church through a ‘calling’ (nomination), subsequently affirmed through a ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ voting system. This selection method eliminates lobbying and campaigning, which typically results in factionalism and disunity as has been the case in some churches.

    In Acts Chapter 1:12-26, Peter and the other Apostles prayed before selecting Matthias to replace Judas Iscariot. Similarly, in The Church of Pentecost, people are called/nominated to occupy higher positions upon careful consideration and reflection through prayers.


    The process for selecting the General Secretary of The Church of Pentecost involves several steps as outlined in Article 14 (3) of the Church’s Constitution. The process begins with the 15-Member Executive Council, led by the Chairman of the Church [after prayerful consideration], presenting a candidate from the list of eligible candidates to the Electoral College for open discussion and secret ballot.

    The Electoral College is made up of Members of the Executive Council, Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, National Heads, and Area Heads. The Electoral College will then conduct a secret ballot election, supervised by an Electoral Commission appointed by the Executive Council, with the candidate elected by a simple majority.

    Finally, the candidate elected by the Electoral College will be presented to the General Council, the highest decision-making body of the Church, for approval by a two-thirds majority vote of the members present and voting.


    The elected General Secretary, like the two other Principal Officers of the Church, will serve for a term of five years and may be re-elected for a second term only, i.e., he cannot be elected to hold office for more than two terms.


    During this two-term tenure, Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi has done an excellent job handling the Church’s affairs. Due to his front-line involvement in pursuing specific national agendas, he is well-respected among Ghana’s ecumenical bodies.

    The personality of Apostle Kumi-Larbi


    Apostle Kumi-Larbi is a man known for his high level of integrity and is highly esteemed by both ministerial and non-ministerial staff at the Church’s Headquarters. He has a humble disposition, respects everyone, promotes team spirit, exhibits level-headedness, maintains good human relationships, demonstrates ingenuity, and takes work seriously. Anyone who has interacted with him will forever remember these qualities.

    He adopts an open-door administration, listens attentively, and addresses all issues brought to his attention promptly. Apostle Kumi-Larbi is not interested in using his position to lord over others, knowing that power can corrupt.

    His prayer has always been to occupy the Office as a Christian and to leave as a Christian without blemish. Fortunately, his prayer has been answered, and he is leaving the Office with clean hands.


    Profile of Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi


    Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi was born on 24th December 1964 at Asamankese in the Eastern Region to Mr Samuel Opare Kumi and Madam Florence Akosua Odi, both from Abiriw-Akuapim and of blessed memory.


    As an engineer by training, he started schooling at Suhum Presbyterian School and obtained his Middle School Leaving Certificate in 1979. He then continued his education at Koforidua Secondary Technical School. He passed the GCE ‘O’ level examination in 1984 and proceeded to the Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC, Legon) for his GCE’ A’-Level certificate in 1986.


    During his pre-university National Service, he taught for one year at the Suhum Presbyterian JHS (from 1986-1987).


    He subsequently gained admission at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and graduated with a BSc. (Hons) degree in Civil Engineering in 1991. During his post-university National Service, he taught at Takoradi Polytechnic, now Takoradi Technical University, from 1991-1992.


    In 1995, he was awarded an OSW Scholarship to pursue an MSc degree in Infrastructure Planning at the University of Stuttgart in Germany. He completed the program in 1997. Additionally, he has finished the School of Theological Education by Extension (STEE) program at Pentecost University and has been awarded a Bachelor’s degree in Theology.

    He is currently a member of the Ghana Institution of Engineers (MGhIE).

    Work Experience

    He worked with Twum Boafo and Partners, a Consulting Engineering firm in Ghana (1992 to 2000), during which he engaged in Structural, Civil Engineering and Road Design and Construction Works.

    His experience in road works includes pavement and geometric designs, hydrological studies and the design of drainage structures. He was also involved in the design and supervision of some significant projects in the country, including serving as a Resident Engineer for the Rehabilitation and Completion of the Accra and Kumasi sports stadiums for the CAF-Under 20 Youth Soccer Tournament (1998-2000), Design and Resident Engineer responsible for the construction of the SSNIT flats at Tema Community 5 and Ho (1992-1995), Assistant Design Engineer involved in the Feasibility Studies for the Reconstruction of Tetteh-Quarshie Interchange-Mamfe road (1994-1995); he was involved in the structural design and detailing for a warehouse and offices for VRA at Aboadze Thermal Plant site office, Takoradi (1999) and a Consulting Engineer for The Church of Pentecost projects (1993 to date).

    Call into full-time Ministry

    Apostle Alexander Nana Yaw Kumi-Larbi was called into the full-time ministry of The Church of Pentecost in 1999 and has since served as District Minister for Kojokrom, Awoshie and Michel Camp districts.

    He was appointed an Area Head in 2011 and was responsible for the Asamankese Area. He was called into the Office of Apostle in 2013 and elected as the General Secretary in 2013.


    Marriage

    He is married to Mrs. Rose Ama Dansoa, and they have been blessed with four sons.
    Interest
    Apostle is very passionate about evangelism, discipleship and selfless leadership with integrity.


    About the Author
    The Author is a Senior Editor at The Church of Pentecost General Headquarters & a Communication Expert.

    Source: Fred Tettey Alarti-Amoako

  • Partner Private Sector to provide cutting edge medical equipment for our hospitals – VP Bawumia

    Partner Private Sector to provide cutting edge medical equipment for our hospitals – VP Bawumia

    The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has challenged hospitals and other medical facilities across the country to partner with the private sector to provide and maintain essential equipment in order to help the facilities offer top-notch care to patients.

    Dr Bawumia, who made the call in Accra on Tuesday, 25 April 2023 said although government continues to invest heavily in the health sector, with unprecedented recruitment of health personnel, the provision of infrastructure such as the Agenda 111 projects, and the introduction of medical drone delivery services, the cost of providing some cutting edge equipment cannot always be borne by government, and it is therefore imperative that hospital managements explore other options.

    The Vice President called for this partnership when he commissioned a Catherization Laboratory at the nation’s premier health facility, the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. The one million dollar ($1m) lab, the most advanced Cath Lab in the country, and its accompanying Big Detector, dyna CT and roadmap software and 3D workstation – essential for the requirements for achieving accurate and effective minimally invasive treatments – was procured and funded by the Bank of Ghana as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility.

    According to officials of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana is currently the only country in the West Africa subregion offering advanced minimally invasive endovascular treatments (performing brain surgeries without cutting the skull) for conditions such as brain aneurysms, and the acquisition of this Lab is expected to reduce the incidence of patients being referred abroad for further tests and treatments.

    Underscoring the importance of advanced, modern equipment in the delivery of quality healthcare, Vice President Bawumia acknowledged Government’s difficulty in solely meeting all the demands of the hundreds of health facilities across the country, and challenged the management of such facilities to be proactive and engage all stakeholders.

    “A Catherization Lab is a valuable asset for any country, and a good addition to the overall healthcare infrastructure of Ghana. By investing in such advanced medical facilities, Ghana can attract and retain skilled medical professionals, improve the training of local doctors and enhance the quality of care provided to patients…

    “I should note that the need for critical medical equipment is huge across all our hospitals. However, we don’t have many Bank of Ghanas around to finance the procurement of all the needed equipment. It is therefore important that going forward, hospitals should consider partnering with the private sector who would be willing to provide and maintain such equipment for a service fee in the context of a private-public partnership.

    “I believe that with the right policies Ghana can have a first class health delivery system. It is possible” he declared.

  • He has nothing to show for his many years in politics – Bawumia shades ‘policy-less’ Mahama

    He has nothing to show for his many years in politics – Bawumia shades ‘policy-less’ Mahama

    Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has taken a taken a swipe at former president John Dramani Mahama, branding him as a policy-less politician with his over three decades of serving in public office.

    Bawumia said at a public function in the Ayawaso Central Constituency that he will continue to ask one question of John Mahama going into the future, a question he believes the former president will never have an answer to.

    “I asked John Mahama one question, he has not yet answered it. So far, I asked him just one question.

    “I say, John Mahama, you have been Assemblyman, you have been deputy minister, you have been minister, you have been vice president, you have been president; over the last 30 years, so tell us one policy we can associate with you over 30 years of political life,” he stressed.

    The first time Bawumia launched the ‘attack’ on Mahama was at a party rally last month in Mpraeso in the Eastern Region.

    “Just one, not two, one policy that you can say, as for this one, John Mahama did it. He has not yet answered it and he cannot answer it,” Bawumia said to cheers from the audience as he is flanked by Greater Accra Regional minister, Henry Quartey.

    “So, if he cannot answer one question, then I wouldn’t bother with 700 questions this time around. I would just leave it at one, I am waiting for the answer and in the future, I will keep asking,” he added.

    Bawumia is seen as a front-runner in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearership race slated for later this year, even though he has yet to openly declare his candidature, senior aides have assured that he will run to lead the NPP into election 2024.

    John Mahama is currently touring the country seeking the National Democratic Congress (NDC_ flagbearership nod to lead the party into the 2024 polls. He will come up against Kwabena Duffuor and Kojo Bonsu in a primary slated for May 13.

  • Govt to provide single source of identity verification for all local businesses – Bawumia

    Govt to provide single source of identity verification for all local businesses – Bawumia

    Efforts are underway to ensure a single source of identity for all businesses, including Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) operating in Ghana.

    According to Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the government has commenced engagement with the Global Legal Entity Identification Foundation (GLEIF).

    While speaking at the ceremony of the 53rd General Assembly of the World Trade Centers Association in Accra, on Monday, April 24, explained that the “logical next step in Government’s integration and economic development agenda is to enable Ghanaian businesses to partake in a globally accepted verification process to give them credibility and global reach.”

    The theme for the five-day conference is “Towards African Economic Integration and Enhanced Global Presence”.

    The government believes the time is ripe following the successful roll-out and acceptance of the Ghana Card as the single source of identity for Ghanaians and persons living in Ghana.

    In his keynote address, the Vice President entreated the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat to come on board and work on a legal identity for all businesses across Africa.

    “That will make it much easier for transactions within Africa, amongst businesses and beyond because there is a single unique global legal identity for all businesses and that’s what we should be working towards,” he added.

    http://backend.theindependentghana.com/intra-africa-trade-is-the-only-way-to-help-boost-african-economies-afcfta-boss/

    GLEIF manages a network of partners, the LEI issuing organisations, to provide trusted services and open, reliable data for unique legal entity identification worldwide. 

    Taking advantage of the Global LEI Index empowers market participants to cut costs, simplify and accelerate operations and gain deeper insight into the global marketplace.

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • NDC has taken Muslims for granted – Ben Ephson on why party may lose election 2024

    NDC has taken Muslims for granted – Ben Ephson on why party may lose election 2024

    Managing Editor of the Daily Dispatch newspaper, Ben Ephson, has predicted that many Muslims will not vote in favor of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the upcoming 2024 elections.

    He claims this is because Muslims feel the party has taken them for granted.

    “The Muslims have now noticed that the NDC has taken them for granted for far too long because they don’t take Muslims for even running mate,” he said during an interview on Onua TV. 

    He further projected a landslide victory for Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia in the general elections should he be given the nod as the NPP flagbearer, over two main reasons.

    “If Bawumia is made the flagbearer of NPP, he comes with two main advantages; that is many Christians feel comfortable with him even though he is a Muslim and Muslims who used to vote for the NDC would switch and vote for NPP,” he asserted.

    In another on Hello FM, Mr Ephson mentioned that former President John Dramani Mahama may win the NDC flagbearership position although he is most likely to lose the 2024 election bid. 

    “Mahama will win but it is 2024 that will be his problem. Mahama will win the NDC slot, he will win easily but 2024 is going to be his problem,” he said. 

  • Christians unite with Muslims at Jubilee House to hold 6th Jubilee House Iftar

    Christians unite with Muslims at Jubilee House to hold 6th Jubilee House Iftar

    The 2023 edition of the Jubilee House Iftar has been held in Accra, with a host of dignitaries from diverse backgrounds and religious backgrounds attending.

    Iftar is one of the religious observances of Ramadan and is often done as a community, with Muslim people gathering to break their fast together.

    Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, on behalf of President Akufo-Addo, led the government guest list, which included Ministers of State and senior officials at the Presidency, to welcome the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu and the leadership of the Muslim Community.

    Also present were MPs, Members of the Council of State, the Diplomatic Corpe and some members of the clergy, who led a fair number of Christians present.

    The Iftar is the traditional evening meal to break the Ramadan fast, and it is normally held in groups to bring people, families and communities together.

    Many countries around the world, including the United States, organise Iftars at their respective seats of Government during Ramadan. In Ghana, the Jubilee House Iftar was introduced by the Akufo-Addo Government in 2017, and it has since been held every year, except in 2020 due to covid-19 restrictions.

    Speaking at the ceremony, Vice President Bawumia said the institution of the Iftar, has enabled the government to further its engagements with religious groups for harmony.

    “The historic institution of the Jubilee House Iftar, after we assumed office in 2017, reflects its importance, and the significance our government attaches to our engagements with religious groups, in our quest to promote harmony among our people,” Dr. Bawumia said.

    Dr Bawumia added: “The month of Ramadan is a period of devotion, sacrifice and togetherness, and the Iftar, as we all know, is a time during the Ramadan, which defines the essence of unity, as we have all gathered here from diverse backgrounds, including our Christian brothers, for a meal to break the day’s fast and also pray for our nation Ghana.”

    A former Chairman of Christ Apostolic Church International, Apostle Dr. Stephen Kwame Ntow Amoani, reflected on the beautiful relationship between Muslims and Christians in the country, and commended the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, for providing leadership which has greatly contributed to the harmonious relationship.

    Both the National Chief Imam and Apostle Dr. Stephen Kwame Ntow Amoani said separate prayers for the country.

  • Bawumia eulogises former NPP Northern Regional Women Organiser

    Bawumia eulogises former NPP Northern Regional Women Organiser

    Vice President Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has eulogised a former Northern Regional Women Organiser of the New Patriotic Party(NPP) who served from 2009 to 2017 for her hard work and dedication to work.

    He also has expressed shock over the sudden demise of Hajia Amama Shaibu, .

    Hajia Amama Shaibu was one of the most prominent and powerful female politicians in the NPP in the Northern Region. She was pivotal in canvassing women’s votes for the party, especially in the 2016 General Elections.

    The Vice President extended his condolences to the bereaved family and the NPP.

    “Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.This evening, I received with shock, the sudden passing of Hajia Amama Shaibu.

    Hajia Amama was the NPP Regional Women Organiser of the then-Northern Region from 2009 to 2017. She was noted for her dedication to duty. I cherished our relationship till her passing today.

    I send my condolences to her family, friends, and the New Patriotic Party (NPP: Development in Freedom). May Allah accept her soul and extend the mercies of the holy month of Ramadan unto her,” the Vice President wrote.

    Tributes are pouring in from different persons, especially politicians across the political divide following her shocking death.

  • Bawumia speaks at Harvard Law School

    Bawumia speaks at Harvard Law School

    Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia will address participants at the 2023 Harvard Africa Development Conference (ADC) which will be held at the Harvard Law School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.

    The Conference, which is organised annually by the African Caucus of Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and the Harvard African Law Association, will be held on Saturday, April 15-16.

    A statement issued by the Spokesperson of the Vice President, Dr Gideon Boako, on Tuesday, April 11 said Dr Bawumia will deliver the keynote address.

    He will return to Ghana thereafter on Tuesday, April 18.

    The African Development Conference convenes students, academia and practitioners to highlight and explore critical issues related to the development of the African continent.

  • Bawumia never said there are jobs everywhere these days – Office of Veep sets record straight

    Bawumia never said there are jobs everywhere these days – Office of Veep sets record straight

    The Office of the Vice President has refuted claims that Dr Mahamudu Bawumia recently said “there are jobs everywhere” in the country.

    Dr Bawumia’s Office said the Vice President never said that hence, the claim is false.

    The Office has therefore demanded that the media house, Multimedia Group, retracts and delete quotes attributed to Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and contained in its story about some 2.1 million jobs created by the current administration and the supposed joblessness during the era of National Democratic Congress (NDC).

    The Office in a response issued and signed by Dr. Gideon Boako, also wants that the media house apologise for misquoting and misrepresenting the Vice President.

    The statement noted that the demand being made on Multimedia is to ensure that persons who have not had access to the full address of the Vice President are not misled.

    Subsidiaries of Multimedia, MyJoyOnline.com and Joy News, had reported that the Vice President claimed in an address at Kwahu Mpraeso that the NPP had created some 2.1 million jobs and quoted him to back the report. But the Office of the Vice President says he did not say” These days there are jobs everywhere,” and therefore wants a retraction, a deletion and an apology.

    Read full statement below:

    The attention of the Office of the Vice President has been drawn to a quote in a myjoyonline.com news report titled: “We’ve created 2.1m jobs unlike the NDC who created unemployment – Dr. Bawumia”, which was published on Saturday, April 7, 2023.

    The story quoted Dr. Bawumia as saying: “During the NDC administration, there were no jobs, they created unemployment instead of employment, BUT THESE DAYS THERE ARE JOBS EVERYWHERE.”

    The Office of the Vice President wishes to state for the record that portions of the quote were fabricated, as nowhere in the Vice President’s address at Mpraeso did he say, “These days there are jobs everywhere,” as was reported by myjoyonline.com and shared by its social media handles.

    The Office finds it strange that comments he did not utter, found their way into the story and were attributed to him in a direct quote.

    The misrepresentation is still highlighted on some social media platforms of multimedia such as Joy News.

    We have been compelled to set the records straight, as many unsuspecting readers may not have the benefit of the full address of the Vice President’s address. We ask that a media house of the stature of Joyfm retract and delete the fabricated quotes and apologize for what can only be described as unprofessional conduct on the part of some of its employees who engaged in this fabrication.

  • Bawumia’s office demands apology from Multimedia over fabricated quotes

    Bawumia’s office demands apology from Multimedia over fabricated quotes

    The Office of the Vice President has asked the Multimedia Group to retract and apologise for what it says are fabricated remarks by the latter attributed to the Vice President.

    Myjoyonline.com, a subsidiary of the Group had published a story claiming that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia had said the current government has created some 2.1 million jobs since assuming office.

    The story further said Dr Bawumia had also stated that “there are jobs everywhere.” However, Dr Bawumia’s office says the Vice President never said that.

    The office in a response issued and signed by Dr. Gideon Boako, also wants that the media house apologise for misquoting and misrepresenting the Vice President.

    The statement noted that the demand being made on Multimedia is to ensure that persons who have not had access to the full address of the Vice President are not misled.

    Subsidiaries of Multimedia, myjoyonline.com and Joy News, had reported that the Vice President claimed in an address at Kwahu Mpraeso that the NPP had created some 2.1 million jobs and quoted him to back the report. But the Office of the Vice President says he did not say” These days there are jobs everywhere,” and therefore wants a retraction, a deletion and an apology.

    Read full statement below:

    The attention of the Office of the Vice President has been drawn to a quote in a myjoyonline.com news report titled: “We’ve created 2.1m jobs unlike the NDC who created unemployment – Dr. Bawumia”, which was published on Saturday, April 7, 2023.

    The story quoted Dr. Bawumia as saying: “During the NDC administration, there were no jobs, they created unemployment instead of employment, BUT THESE DAYS THERE ARE JOBS EVERYWHERE.”

    The Office of the Vice President wishes to state for the record that portions of the quote were fabricated, as nowhere in the Vice President’s address at Mpraeso did he say, “These days there are jobs everywhere,” as was reported by myjoyonline.com and shared by its social media handles.

    The Office finds it strange that comments he did not utter, found their way into the story and were attributed to him in a direct quote.

    The misrepresentation is still highlighted on some social media platforms of multimedia such as Joy News.

    We have been compelled to set the records straight, as many unsuspecting readers may not have the benefit of the full address of the Vice President’s address. We ask that a media house of the stature of Joyfm retract and delete the fabricated quotes and apologize for what can only be described as unprofessional conduct on the part of some of its employees who engaged in this fabrication.

  • ‘Bawumia has already won the elections in the spiritual realm’ – Pastor reveals

    ‘Bawumia has already won the elections in the spiritual realm’ – Pastor reveals

    Founder and Leader of the Charismatic Temple International Ministry, Rev. Paul Kusi Appiah is optimistic about Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia becoming President come 2025.

    According to the man of God, although the Vice President is yet to declare his presidential ambition, he will become Ghana’s next president because “the victory of Bawumia is sealed and there is nothing anyone can do about it”

    He again noted that “Dr Bawumia has already won the elections in the realms of the spirit.”

    Rev. Paul Kusi Appiah prophesied that the Vice President “will sweep 10 regions out of the 16 in 2024.”

    Dr Bawumia, he said, will be the most loved President ever, beating late President Atta Mills, who many regarded as “Asomdwe Hene.”

    He therefore questioned the authenticity of men of God who have not publicly predicted the victory of the Vice President who believes the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will retain power following the next polls.

    “I wonder why some Prophets can’t see the power of victory showing towards Bawumia. I don’t know if we have five Gods or so,” he quizzed.

    Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia in one of his recent posts on social media suggested that he may declare his presidential ambition shortly.

    http://backend.theindependentghana.com/bawumia-likely-to-declare-presidential-bid/

    On Tuesday, April 4, 2023, the Vice President wrote “It is Possible!’, posting with the Ghana flag and the flag of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on all his social media pages.

    This statement is ambiguous however some social media users are reading meaning into it. They believe this is a subtle way of indicating his interest in the NPP flagbearership race.

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • We need people with experience to save our country – Mahama chides Akufo-Addo

    We need people with experience to save our country – Mahama chides Akufo-Addo

    Former President John Dramani Mahama has taken a swipe at President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, describing his administration as a bitter pill for Ghanaians.

    According to him, the many promises made by the president and his vice, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia prior to the 2016 and 2020 elections convinced many Ghanaians into voting for the NPP government.

    Former President Mahama believes the Akufo-Addo administration has taught Ghanaians to be careful of the promises politicians make while seeking political power.

    He said Ghanaians are really suffering under the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia-led administration and the lessons learnt after voting based on their supercilious promises is bitter and the hardship unprecedented.

    Mr. Mahama said, the “incompetent” tag at his administration now fits the NPP well considering the current state of the economy and the plight of the suffering Ghanaians who voted for them.

    “They called me incompetent and I told them they have not come close to the presidency before. Now, what do we see? Ghanaians are suffering,” he bemoaned.

    Speaking at Ajumako Enyan Essiam Constituency, as part of his three-day tour in the Central Region, Former President Mahama, told delegates of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to vote for people with experience during the party’s Parliamentary and Presidential primaries to rescue the country from its knees.

    He said, “We currently need people with experience to save our country not experiment,” adding that the Akufo-Addo administration has taught us that “So me hwe” is not for managing a country.

    Former President Mahama, hinted, that the next NDC government will present to Ghanaians the very alternative they yearn for.