2026 World Cup: Ghana will proceed to the grand finale should Bawumia become President — Chairman Wontumi

The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Bosiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, has made a bold prediction that Ghana will reach the finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup if Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia wins the 2024 presidential election.

Speaking at a campaign rally for Dr. Bawumia in Tamale on Monday, November 20, Chairman Wontumi stated his firm belief that the many astroturf football pitches constructed across the country under the Akufo-Addo government are laying the foundation for Ghana's football success.

"I have a belief, my belief is that now have you seen a lot of astroturfs in the country, the mission is simple, when Dr. Bawumia becomes President, Ghana will go to the 2026 World Cup grand finals," Wontumi declared.

The outspoken NPP chairman argued that continuity of an NPP government is crucial to sustain and expand the developmental initiatives already underway.

He noted that "Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is going to break the 8. All the developed countries have tried on government for a long time but in Ghana, under the 4th Republic, 1992 to 2000 was NDC, 2000 to 2008 was NPP, 2008 to 2016 was NDC."

Chairman Wontumi added, "If NPP breaks the 8, the jobs Nana Akufo-Addo and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia started can continue. The youth needs jobs and the Free SHS policy also has to be moved to another stage and 1 district 1 factory. If he stays and breaks the 8, it means every district is going to get jobs."

In what many tip to be a keen contest, the NPP’s flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia will be facing the one-time President and flagbearer of the opposition NDC in the 2024 general elections.