Dr. Jonathan Asante Otchere, Senior Political Science Lecturer at the University of Cape Coast, says the NPP 2024 flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s recent comments about factors behind the party’s defeat are an attempt to distance himself from former President Akufo-Addo’s influence.
During his Thank You Tour, Dr. Bawumia blamed the loss on arrogance of power, high cost of living, failure to reshuffle officials, the E-Levy, and the IMF-related haircut policy, which worsened economic hardship.
In a reaction to the remarks, Dr. Asante Otchere said Bawumia’s reflections are significant for the party’s healing and campaign strategy.
“If Dr Bawumia is making references to some of these things, it is good. It is part of the healing process and that in itself will go a long way to help in this campaign strategy,” he said.
According to him, Bawumia’s earlier silence was a result of Akufo-Addo’s strong grip on the party during the campaign period, which limited Bawumia’s ability to speak openly.
“Couldn’t you have dealt with these issues when you were campaigning… but he couldn’t do that because of the overbearing influence of the former president,” he noted.
Meanwhile, former Government Spokesperson, Dr. Palgrave Boakye-Danquah accused Bawumia of being a “key architect” of the policies that led to the defeat.
“Bawumia was not a bystander but a key architect of the government’s economic policies, yet he now portrays himself as a mere ‘driver’s mate’ to evade responsibility,” he said, citing the collapse of NABCO as an example.
Credit:- channel1news.com
