Former Vice President and 2024 NPP flag bearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, says the governing NDC will not be able to survive its own lofty promises now that it holds the reins of government.
Speaking during his UK Thank You Tour in London, where he engaged members of the Young Executive Forum (YEF), he said, “It’s not easy to do propaganda when you are in government. It’s very easy to do propaganda in opposition.”
Dr. Bawumia, who led the New Patriotic Party into the 2024 general election, said the NDC’s campaign was fuelled by “stories and lies” that are already unravelling just five months into their administration. “
They told so many lies in opposition,” he said.
“They said when they come, they will bring down the cost of kenkey and the cost of living. I don’t know, have you noticed the reduction in prices in Ghana? No. Prices are rather going up, whether you are looking at cement or other things.”
He accused the new administration of misleading farmers, teachers, and the general public.
“They also lied to cocoa farmers that they are going to increase the price of a bag of cocoa from ¢3,100 to ¢7,000…Today, they are saying they had the wrong information.”
On education promises, he said, “They told teachers that once they get into office, the teacher licensure exams will be abolished. Today, they are telling them they won’t touch it again.”
Dr Bawumia didn’t spare the NDC’s flagship 24-hour economy policy. “Of course, we all knew it was a joke,” he said.
“They really had big, big billboards trying to convince Ghanaians that for every job, they were going to have three people doing the job… Today, it’s completely missing in their policy.”
The former Vice President scoffed at the feasibility of running such a policy amid Ghana’s power crisis.
“How can you have a 24-hour economy with dumsor at the same time? You can’t.”
He suggested the NDC’s performance will work in favour of the NPP come 2028.
“I think the NDC in government is being exposed in just five months, and by the time they hit four years, you will see a big clamour for the NPP to come back into office.”
But Dr. Bawumia also struck a reflective tone about the NPP’s own failings in government.
“There’s no doubt…we didn’t get everything right,” he admitted. “I apologise to all of you for us not getting the things right that we should have gotten.”
Still, he expressed strong confidence in a political comeback.
“I am very, very optimistic about 2028… I believe that we will get many things right because we’ve learned the lessons of where we are going.”
He argued that history favours returning candidates over first-timers.
“Our political history suggests that it is usually very difficult for a first-time presidential candidate to win an election in Ghana.”
He cited the example of John Agyekum Kufuor, John Mills, and Akufo-Addo—all of whom needed multiple runs to clinch victory.
“Now the NDC will have to bring a new candidate. I believe we will have an advantage, all things being equal, over that new candidate coming in 2028.”
Dr. Bawumia also believes that with time, the legacy of the Akufo-Addo administration will be appreciated.
“When Kufuor left office, he wasn’t very popular. But today, he’s one of the most popular presidents in our history. That is the same way I believe people will reflect and appreciate the work Nana Akufo-Addo’s government did.”
He ended his remarks with a rallying call: “I believe that we are in a very good position to win this election, and we should be very, very enthusiastic. I want to count on all of your support.”
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