Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, my reliable source of support: A vote of confidence from President Nana Akufo-Addo?

President Nana Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia have a long standing partnership so far as politics is concerned. It all started when Mr. President nominated him to be his running mate in 2008 general elections. There have been ups and downs but generally, so far, the partnership has proven to be very productive worthy of emulation and commendation.

The path of struggle for power was not an easy drive. It came with many obstacles but with trust and confidence reposed on each other, together with hard work, dedication, sacrifice, commitment and loyalty, the Almighty God honoured them with victories for two consecutive terms. In the struggle for power, Candidate Nana Akufo-Addo relied on his dependable right-hand man to defend him in the Supreme Court of Ghana in the eight-month long 2012 elections' petition hearing. Also, on the path of struggle for power, President Nana Akufo-Addo relied heavily on the brilliance and political ingenuity of Dr Bawumia for the two electoral presidential victories won. Dr Bawumia has shown greatly to his boss that when it comes to support, he is always available for him.

In June, 2021, when Mr. President visited the North East Region, he took the opportunity to thank the people of the region for giving him a first-class Vice President. He said "you have given me a first-class assistant in the form of the Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia. He has been of great help to me and my government.” Mr. President does not hide his confidence and trust in his Vice President. The ever dependable Vice President has earned his praise and recognition from his boss through the many supportive roles and influencial decisions that he has taken that inure to the benefit of the good people of Ghana. The description of Dr. Bawumia as first-class Vice President tells Ghanaians the extent of the great contributions he has been making to this government.

Not too long ago, when the charismatic Vice President was interacting with the members of the New Patriotic Party in Walewale, he made many revealing statements about some of his silent contributions to the NPP and the government of the day. One of the many statements that catched my attention and fit to be part of this write-up is the initiation and implementation of the free Senior High School (FSHS) policy. Many Ghanaians least expected the Government of Nana/Bawumia to implement the FSHS initiative in the first year on assumption of office but the government went ahead to implement the all important and unprecedented social intervention policy. This was made possible due to the ever reliable and supportive Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. When his boss sought his opinion on the implementation of the FSHS relative to that year, he offered him the courage with his possibility mindset by telling him that if FSHS is his priority, then, it could be done. Today, many students and parents/guardians alike are benefiting greatly from the policy. It is because of this and many positive inputs and supports that Dr. Bawumia renders to Mr. President and the government that he continually throws heaps of praise upon him.

The latest plaudit Vice President, Dr. Bawumia received from President Nana Akufo-Addo was on the 28th of May, 2023 when he was addressing the nation on the current state of measures employed against COVID-19. President Nana Akufo-Addo did not mince words by praising his Vice President again for the support he has been offering in steering the affairs of the country, especially in most trying times. Mr President said "I must make special mention of the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who was my reliable source of support in the darkest and most trying moments". This recognition could not have come at a better time than this when the New Patriotic Party is preparing to conduct internal elections to elect the next flagbearer of the party.

It is clearly that Mr. President has seen the kind of good work his Vice President has done and continue to do for the good people of Ghana. Therefore, there is no need to wonder why Mr. President has been consistent in positively describing his Vice President. The trust and confidence that Mr. President has in his competent and innovative Vice President is unmeasurable and for that matter, I think, he will be comfortable handing over power to him whiles he takes his rest and watches the happenings in government at the comfort of his residence, knowing very well that Ghana is in safe hands.

In conclusion, one does not need a soothsayer to tell the delegates of the NPP that, the best person to lead the party to victory in the next general elections is Mr. President's reliable and first-class Vice President in the person of H. E. Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. Similarly, one does not need President Nana Akufo-Addo to publicly tell the delegates to vote for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia because, in my candid opinion, the compliments alone say it all.

Thank you
Alhaji Salifu Hadara
A Patriot
Nalerigu/Gambaga Constituency
North East Region
[email protected]
31/05/2023