Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gaming Commission, Lamtiig Apanga, has dismissed attempts to separate former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia from the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) governance record, arguing that the party’s leadership must collectively account for its performance in government.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily, he maintained that Dr Bawumia was an integral part of the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo administration and therefore cannot be shielded from criticism over what he described as the government’s failures.
According to him, narratives suggesting that Dr Bawumia should be isolated from the perceived poor performance of the Akufo-Addo administration are misleading, stressing that governance was a collective effort involving the President, the Vice President, and the entire leadership team.
Mr Apanga argued that if the NPP intends to regain public trust, the party must return to its grassroots and rebuild confidence among its delegates, rather than attempting to absolve individual leaders of responsibility.
“If the delegates at the grassroots decide not to grant the same leadership another mandate, it sends a clear message that they do not want a continuation,” he said, adding that there is “no way Dr Bawumia can be isolated from the poor performance because he was part of the team.”
However, a contrasting view has been expressed by former Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo, who has urged NPP delegates to disregard claims linking Dr Bawumia directly to the mismanagement of the economy under the party’s administration.
Adwoa Safo insisted that Dr Bawumia should not be held solely responsible for the economic challenges faced during the NPP’s tenure, arguing that his influence in key decision-making processes was limited. She maintained that the former Vice President remains the best candidate to lead the party going forward.
Blame Ofori-Atta for Ghana’s economic crisis, not Bawumia’ – Adwoa Safo