Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has officially filed his nomination today Friday, June 16, to contest the NPP presidential primaries slated for the 4th of November 2023.
The big picture: Dr. Bawumia is looking to become the NPP’s presidential candidate for the 2024 elections alongside contestants such as former General Secretary of the party Kwabena Agyepong, Former Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko, Former Minister of Trade and Industry Alan Kyeremanten and others.
Why it matters: The 2024 elections promises to be very interesting as the main opposition party, NDC is fielding former President John Mahama as its candidate to take political power from the NPP. As the race heats up toward who becomes the NPP’s flagbearer, Dr. Bawumia seems to be the favorite.
Here are five reasons why he stands a good chance at winning the 2024 elections if he manages a win in November.
1. Popularity
Dr. Bawumia was introduced into the political scene in 2008 by President Nana Akufo-Addo who chose him as his running mate. Then a deputy governor at the Bank of Ghana, it was clear he was very new to politics but after partnering with Nana Addo for two election cycles, Ghanaians saw a new Dr. Bawumia evolve right before their eyes. This time, confident, articulate, charismatic, and with a sense of humour that endeared him to everyone. He proved, then, his knowledge of the economy through his lectures on the economy sessions and many actually believe it was Dr. Bawumia who delivered the 2016 elections for the NPP. Now as vice president, he has had over more than a decade head start in terms of marketability– making his chances brighter going into the elections in 2024
2. Opposition’s target
It can be argued that Dr. Bawumia has remained a thorn in the flesh of the NDC part for years now. As a result, he has become the target of the party. You hardly find the opposition party responding to what the other candidates in the NPP flagbearer race say about the economy for instance, but the NDC pays attention to what Dr Bawumia has to say. Beyond the fact that he is the Vice President, they see him as the main competitor to defeat in the 2024 elections.
3. Religion
Whether admitted or not religion has always played a role when it comes to the electability of a presidential candidate in Ghana. There has always been a quest to seek religious balance in who the president and vice president is. If Dr. Bawumia wins the bit to be the flagbearer of his party, it will be the first time a Muslim will be leading a major political party. Trust that he is likely to win the majority of the votes from the Muslim population and that will impact his chances greatly.
4. Age
Have you heard people argue that the old order should change giving place to the new? In other words, it’s time for a youthful takeover. Dr. Bawumia will be one of the youngest candidates to seek to be president. And if the youth mean what they say about ushering in young leaders, maybe this could be the opportunity
5. Economic background
Ghana at this point in its developmental stage needs an economist to steer it through these challenging times. Dr. Bawumia’s knowledge of the economy was a great asset in the 2016 and 2020 elections. But the past three years have seen the country fall into an economic abyss to the point of needing a desperate rescue by the International Monitory Fund, IMF. The million-dollar question is why should Ghanaians trust Dr. Bawumia’s economic prowess this time looking at the state of the economy under his watch? He’s got some convincing to do but If he manages to persuade the voting population on what he’s going to do differently as the man in direct charge of the country, then his chances may be brighter.
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