Why Ghanaians Must Massively Reject Dr Mahamudu Bawumia On Dec 7

On Dec. 4, 2016. I made a stop at the Trade Fair Centre, La, to witness briefly, the NPP's final campaign, themed, The Battle is the Lord's. The crowd was mammoth. The darling boy of politics at the time and his son, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the Economic Messiah, whom he adopted from the Bank of Ghana, would have the last chance to convince Ghanaians to vote for them in three days time. The atmosphere was electrifying.

I posted a picture of the event a day to the election on social media, my endorsement of Akuffo Addo and his NPP. Yes, I was one of those people who rooted for the Showbwoy, Akuffo Addo.

When Nana Addo chose the "unknown" Bawumia as his running mate, he was emphatic about his job description – he was to help him [Akuffo Addo] revive the ailing economy at the time. Simple and straightforward task.

Bawumia went to work immediately. He organised several economic lectures, where he did not only pull a lot of crowds, he woo them! Brilliant dude! His mouth was really sharp too!! He was nicknamed the Economic Wizkid, Walewale Adams Smith, Economic Messiah – names he embraced with pride. He became the favourite of many Media Houses. Not just that, he became a WAEC Official, setting questions for the then Vice President, a former Governor of the Bank of Ghana, who I believe, was once his Boss.

As fate had it, they won; yes, we won massively!! Ghana won! Their victory exuded hope and yes, they promised a "Ghana Beyond Aids" on their inauguration. Bawumia became the Head of the Economic Management Team (EMT). According to him, this "Solid Team," made up of some prominent names, would turn Ghana's economic fortunes around.

Almost 8 years later, this is what the Bawumia led Solid EMT did to the Ghanaian Economy:

They took the cedi Bawumia claimed to have arrested from about 4ghc to $1 to over 17ghc to $1. They took our National debt from Ghc120 billion to over Ghc 740 billions. Can imagine it, in just 8 years they have added over Ghc 620 fucking billions to our debt! In eight years!! They moved debt to GDP from 56% to 86%

They forced e-levy on us, and are still collecting Covid-19 levy regardless of the billions of free dollars Ghana was given due to the Covid. They vowed on their balls that Ghana would never go back to IMF. Did we eventually go or we didn't? The most painful of all the evils? They denied there would NEVER be a haircut. But didn't they, at a stroke of a pen, forcefully take the investments of many Ghanaians, including frail, sick and vulnerable pensioners? How cruel!

Time will not permit me to tell you about how they collapsed some indigenous banks causing thousands of Ghanaians to lose their jobs, how they took interest rate from 25% to 40% at a point, and how inflation once peaked at 54% under their watch from around 16 (I think) in 2016. Time won't permit me to tell you about how we were flagged from the capital market and how the proud Black Star of Africa went begging nations and institutions to forgive us our debts.

Again, time will not permit me to tell you about how they blew the reserve funds left for them by the erstwhile "incompetent" Mahama, and how those who promised us a "Ghana Beyond Aids" shamefully announced Ghana's bankruptcy in November 2022. What about increasing taxes? Need I remind you about the high cost of living?

These are the report cards of Bawumia's solid management of Ghana's economy. But guess what, instead of accepting some level of responsibility for bringing our economy to its knees, he keeps blaming it all on Covid-19 and Russia-Ukraine war, or on the fact that, he is merely a driver's mate – shifting the blame to the President. But the same driver's mate would gladly tag himself along the positive achievements of the Driver. Total cowardice!!

"When the fundamentals of the economy are weak, exchange rate will expose you." These was him before he became the head of the EMT. But today, when Ghanaians use his own postulate to mark him, he would with much struggle, try to justify why 17ghc to a dollar in 2024 must be celebrated than in 2016, when you need just 4ghc.

I believe three things define a man, more so, a leader – honesty, integrity and a sense of responsibility. Bawumia's postures this past years, more so, during their campaign, proves that he lacks these. Yes, I won't doubt his intelligence. Perhaps, he is still an economic wizkid. However, intelligence without honesty, integrity and a sense of responsibility only makes one, a very dangerous conman. And this is exactly what we have seen this past 8 years – a cartel of conmen parading themselves of Patriots!

How can you not take responsibility for your abysmal performance as the Head of the EMT, but you have the guts to ask Ghanaians to vote you to replace your Boss to continue his "good works"?

Many argue that Bawumia will run his own show as a President. Inasmuch as I truly wish to agree with them, this Ewe adage won't let me. It is said that, "Akpa medzia vi wodia adehe o" – tilapia does not give birth to mudfish (or is it catfish?). Bawumia was merely a technocrat who was brought into the active political arena by Akuffo Addo. In effect, on an average, most of Bawumia's political "way of life" and allies – potential government appointees – would be gotten from a pool of his Boss' network. Since an apple does not fall far from the tree, we are likely to see him rule the way his Boss did with just some little variations, better or worse.

Just as children mostly replicate what they see their parents do, I don't believe Bawumia has what it takes to carve his own path besides what he's seen his "father" did. I am highly convinced about this because he has never accepted responsibility for his own failings as the Head of EMT. Since he proudly believes that this messy economy is still better than what we used to know, what's the guarantee the EMT's way-of-life won't become the way-of-life of his government?

Today, Bawumia is telling us that they've solved Ghana's economic challenges with digitalisation. Obviously, he seems to be living in a different Ghana. How can we then entrust him with the Ghana you and I are living in?

A man, who, refuses to admit his own failings, but keeps blaming it on other people and external circumstances – even if those factors have played a role – cannot achieve a result that is far different from what his predecessors have left – he might even do worse. Never for once have I heard Bawumia, just like his Boss and the NPP communicators, admit responsibility for even the most obvious of their economic or political misjudgement. Rather, they keep defending even the most undefendable.

Others say we can't blame Bawumia for the damage done our economy. But who should we blame? Mahama? Bawumia's job description from the start was clear – help fix the economy – which he accepted, gleeing from ear-to-ear. And, he has failed at it woefully. Accept responsibility first, then, you pass the test to ask for more. Or, was he not allowed to do his job as the Head of the EMT? If yes, tell Ghanaians.

Just as Akuffo Addo was emphatic about Bawumia's job description, Mahama was also emphatic about the job description of his 2024 running mate – she was to focus on education, children and women. In effect, if Prof Jane Naana choose to [as Bawumia is doing] excuse herself from any failings of the EMT should Mahama decide to form one if the NDC wins, Ghanaians can understand her better.

Oh, what haven't Bawumia said in opposition. He made several bold statements. Now you've tasted power and realised, political power isn't a child's play. There's nothing wrong honourably coming back to Ghanaians to accept responsibility, speak to their humanity, and ask for a chance, where, you can run your own show. After all, Ghanaians know you are, but, the Vice President, and you never had the ultimate power this past 8 years!

The dynamics of political leadership is complex, and he, Bawumia, should know by now, if he doesn't, then it's a more reason we can't trust him with that power. After all, when he was running his mouth in opposition and calling the then President Mahama, incompetent, didn't Mahama tell him he can only take criticism from someone who was once a President? Mahama knows assuming governance isn't as it seems when one is in opposition.

One would have expected Bawumia to have taken advantage of this statement by Mahama and tell Ghanaians, "Oh, my people, I got it all wrong. Ruling a nation isn't as it seems in opposition. Mahama was right after all! Being a vice president now, I have learned my lessons. Give me a chance to prove myself to you, now, as the number one gentleman, permit me to prove to you that truly, I'm the economic wizkid." This would have make his campaign so easy.

However, Bawumia thinks by denying the realities on the ground, he would endear himself to Ghanaians as a better candidate – he's rather making a comical circus of himself. If he thinks Ghanaians can't forgive him and give him a chance to lead them if he accepts responsibility for the obvious failings of the EMT, then he definitely doesn't know Ghanaians well enough, and doesn't deserve to lead them. For Christ's sake, even Mahama is asking Ghanaians for a second chance and Ghanaians are willing to forgive him, how much more, you, who never tasted the Presidency?

The beauty of life isn't in never changing your stance, opinions and beliefs, it is found in the humility to accept your humanity and the ability to evolve in the wake of new information, exposure or experience. This is what makes us humans.

What Ghanaians need now is not a sweet tonguing economic Guru, what we need is not a leader who showcases himself as a Superhuman. We need a human – a leader who understands our plights rather than brush it aside – we need a human who admits their mistakes, someone with emotions, empathy, honesty, integrity, and sense of responsibility.

From Bawumia's posture, he sees himself a god – a Superhuman –infallible. Gods don't lead nations, humans do. That's why we don't need him [Bawumia], to lead us – we need a human – not an infallible and Superhuman Bawumia.

A man who refuses to admit his own failings and assume responsibility for them must never be given a bigger responsibility. A man who cannot emphatise with the masses, but brushes their plights aside, should never be given the public purse to manage.

A vote for Bawumia would be an endorsement of the economic recklessness of this Akuffo Addo – Bawumia led government. Not just that, it will be a celebration of the damage they've done to our democratic system, judiciary and the environment. It would be honouring mediocrity, lies, and irresponsibility.

Ghana is suffocating and needs your vote to resuscitate it. On Dec 7, vote for anything, but, Bawumia – let's take our country back, and send the Elephant back into the bush to have a rethink!! Perhaps, in opposition, they'll appreciate the mess they've done to Ghana's economy.

The eyes of the future generations are looking back at us, and they are hoping, on December 7, you and I use the sacred power of our thumbs right!

There's a Hero in you; unleash it!