Dr. Bawumia is not his own man! Here is why

From the word go as Vice President, Dr. Bawumia showed no sign that one day he would be his ‘own man’.

It is understood that, as the Vice President, Dr. Bawumia assisted the President in the performance of his Presidential duties and responsibilities. It is also expected the Vice President should be unquestionably loyal to his boss, Nana Akufo-Addo.

However, Dr. Bawumia has avoided some golden opportunities to indicate to Ghanaians that one day he would be his ‘own man’, so to speak.

No one expected Dr. Bawumia to reverse his slanted economic quotes in the year 2016 to woo Ghanaians to vote for them. His unfulfilled words are the same words that have soiled his reputation as a Politician as well as his Presidential ambition as the Flagbearer and Leader of the NPP Party now.

I want to name some 3 missed golden opportunities for Dr. Bawumia, in my opinion, to show Ghanaians that, one day, he can be his own man.

Firstly, as a Muslim, Dr. Bawumia was curiously mute about the Zongo 7 killings under this government of which is Vice President. Why his complete silence then?

Secondly, Dr. Bawumia publicly stated that passing the controversial e-levy or MoMo Tax would directly affect the poor in society. When President Akufo-Addo, the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta and the NPP Members of Parliament (MPs) were bulldozing their way through Parliament to pass the MoMo Tax, why didn’t Dr. Bawumia publicly disapprove or impress upon the MPs to halt the indecent passage of the MoMo Tax?

Thirdly, Dr. Bawumia made Ghanaians aware that the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia-led government would not borrow to develop Ghana. It was apparently clear the Finance Minister has demonstrated he has insatiable interest in borrowing, which has put Ghana’s economy into the ditch now for obvious reasons. As the Head of the Economic Management Team, what was his role to curb the unusual borrowing situation?

In the above-stated 3 circumstances, Dr. Bawumia, now Flagbearer of the NPP Party did not show any iota of proof that he would one day be his own man. Despite the unimpressive records of President Akufo-Addo of which Dr. Bawumia is a cardinal component, he cannot but defend them for political expediency. The bottom-line is that Dr. Bawumia must take reasonability for his lack of becoming his own man, but not hoodwinking Ghanaians about his independence in thought.

Dr. Bawumia knows too well that Ghanaians are questioning not only his marred credibility but also his ability to be his own man without the direct involvement of President Akufo-Addo and his family and friends again in the unlikely event that he is voted for in the 2024 General elections.

That was why Dr. Bawumia said in his uninspiring acceptance speech upon winning the Flagbearer race that he would be his own. No rocket Science understanding is needed here.

Voting for Dr. Bawumia will surely be an extension of Akufo-Addo’s two terms for three terms, and the status quo of neglect and general hardships emanating from this disappointing government continue to flourish at the expense of the suffering Ghanaians.

Dr. Bawumia is not his own man, and he should not be trusted to deliver on his word this time round. The NPP Party including Dr. Bawumia need to be in Opposition come 2024 to reflect on their failures and disappointments deeply and genuinely.

A change in government in this Year's General elections is vitally crucial to build the Ghana we all want. The NDC is the obvious choice in 2024 to first clean the economic and corruption mess created by the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia-led government and implement transformative programs for sustainable development.