….“I have my own vision and priority”
The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has signalled his independence from President Nana Akufo-Addo inviting, especially the country’s youth to come on board and join him as he seeks to win the presidency and implement his “own vision” for Ghana.
“I have my own vision and priority,” he said, adding that” I will listen to your concerns because we are partners in its process.”
Regarding the unending sufferings of Ghanaians, he said “I am as concerned as my fellow countrymen and women…the work of economic recovery is underway, GDP growth has picked up.”
The Herald is aware of the collapse of the Economic Management Team which he chairs, because Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta plays a one-man game as he has refused to attend the meetings.
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The Vice President, has been unhappy with the policies such as Mobile Money Levy (E-Levy), Agyapa Royalties, and the decision to go for the IMF Bailout among other,s but has refused to publicly speak about it except the E-Levy, which he went on Peace FM and spoke against.
Dr Bawumia, further thanked the NPP for the support he has enjoyed over the years leading to his victory as flagbearer of the party for the 2024 general elections.
He recounted the support that he has enjoyed since he was first picked as running mate for 2008 elections.
“I do not take this support for granted,” he said in his acceptance speech after the NPP internal polls on Saturday, November 4 that had him elected by the ruling party as its flagbearer for the 2024 general election.
He said he is prepared to work with all the aspirants in the just-ended presidential primaries of the NPP for victory in the 2024 general elections.
“I am determined to work with all of them and all our supports to break the 8.”
“Let us join together to achieve the ambition of breaking the 8,” Bawumia said, adding, “That ambition requires the participation of all the aspirants including Kennedy Agyapong who wanted to give me a showdown today.”
Dr Bawumia, added that he will marshall all party members to ensure that the opposition NDC continues to stay in opposition.
He added that his victory indicates that the NPP is truly an inclusive party.
Dr Bawumia defeated a field of three other candidates, including Kennedy Agyapong, the outspoken Assin Central MP, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, a former Minister for Agriculture and former Mampong MP, Francis Addai-Nimoh.
Certified results announced by a deputy Commissioner of the Electoral Commission (EC), Dr Serebour Quaicoe, revealed that Dr Bawumia polled 118210 votes representing 61.47% while his closest contender Mr Agyapong polled 71,996 votes representing 37.41%.
Dr. Afriyie Akoto who placed a distant third polled 1,459 votes representing 0.76% while Addai-Nimoh garnered a meagre 731 representing 0.41%.
A total of 192 446 delegates voted in Saturday’s presidential primary. The total valid votes were 193, 346 with 900 votes rejected. Turnout was 94.63%.
To his main contender Kennedy Agyapong, he said “Well done, you really wanted to give me a down today.”
Kennedy Agyapong also called for unity among the members of the NPP to defeat the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2024 general elections.
Mr Agyapong who contested in the NPP presidential primaries said he accepts defeats in the just-ended presidential primaries of the NPP.
He asked the rank and file of the party to put whatever happened in the elections and come together to win the 2024 general elections. “I believe the party has been fair and transparent. That is the only thing I have always been preaching, this election is fair, my grassroots have spoken, I accept the results in good faith,” he said.
“Indeed, it’s a great day today. I believe the party has been fair and transparent. That is the only thing I have already been preaching. And I must admit, this election is fair and my grassroots have spoken. And therefore, I accept the results in good faith. I pledge my support that we are working tirelessly to break the eight. Party members, we are here, we should put everything behind us and let’s unite this party. With unity, I believe we can break the eight. I want to assure you, in 2024, the showdown is being translated today. We have to come together and give the NDC a showdown. I want to thank my team for working hard and the party faithfuls who believed in me.”
The vice President’s victory sets him up for a bout with former President and NDC flagbearer John Dramani Mahama in the 2024 general election.
Dr Bawumia defeated a field of three other candidates, including Kennedy Agyapong, the outspoken Assin Central MP; Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, a former Minister for Agriculture; and former Mampong MP Francis Addai-Nimoh.
Certified results announced by a Deputy Commissioner of the Electoral Commission, Dr. Serebour Quaicoe, revealed that Dr Bawumia polled 118,210 votes, representing 61.47%, while his closest contender, Mr. Agyapong, polled 71,996 votes, representing 37.41%.
The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo expressed confidence in the new NPP flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
In his congratulatory remarks, Akufo-Addo said he believes Dr Bawumia can unite the rank and file of the NPP to win power in the 2024 general elections.
Addressing supporters of the elephant fraternity at the Accra Sports Stadium, President Akufo-Addo appealed to party members to work together to ensure that former President John Mahama does not win the 2024 elections.
“I am passing on the flagbearer role of our party after you have honoured me to lead this party, and you have allowed me to serve this great party. I cannot forget. I have done my best, but I am still left with one thing to do, and that is to help elect Bawumia as president. So let us pull together to ensure [John] Mahama does not return to power.”
“I am confident Bawumia will be able to unite this party, with the help of the other three contestants, to inflict a successful defeat on Mahama.”
President Akufo-Addo further thanked the leadership of the party, from the local to the national levels, for a good fight fought.
“My message is simple and it is one of gratitude to the regional executives, national executives, local executives, and all the people who contributed to this. And I want to thank you.”
