Congratulations, Dr Bawumia; Your work is cut out

The Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, last Saturday emerged as the new leader and flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the upcoming 2024 general election. 

At the end of the party’s presidential primary which was organised at 277 polling stations across the country for over 200,000 delegates, Dr Bawumia won with 118,210 votes, representing 61.47 per cent (see our front page lead story).

He made light work of his closest contender, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, who placed second with 71,996 votes, representing 37.41 per cent.

A former Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, placed a distant third. He received 1,459 votes, representing 0.76 per cent, while Francis Addai-

Nimoh got 781 votes, representing 0.38 per cent.

This singular feat by the NPP, coming after a similar accomplishment by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is a feather in the cap of the nation and attests to the fact that the country’s democracy is on the right track. 

While congratulating Dr Bawumia on his victory, the Daily Graphic commends the party for successfully conducting the polls supervised by the Electoral Commission (EC).

With the experiences of the Super Delegates Conference, the party proved its resilience and fortitude and went ahead to organise a successful primary with a greater number of voters and scope.

It is worthy of note that the party’s Presidential Election Committee under the chairmanship of Prof. Mike Oquaye and the leadership of the party worked assiduously to ensure that the party maintained its steady sail leading to the November 4, 2023 presidential primary.

 For the transparent and fair nature of the polls, which all the losers acknowledged and commended, the Daily Graphic says Ayekoo.

 We need not remind the party of the greater task ahead of ensuring inclusivity and unity as it prepares for the December 7, 2024 polls, considering the fact that some supporters and campaign spokespersons threw caution to the wind and engaged in divisive political campaign of mudslinging, making the task quite daunting.

These claims, whether factual or not, have become weapons in the hands of the opposition.

 Naturally, those at the receiving end of such claims will find it difficult to forgive and forget.

 However, for the sake of executing their common agenda, the leadership must find a way of reconciling everybody.

Notwithstanding the fact that the three other candidates who lost have publicly conceded defeat and pledged their support for Dr Bawumia, the Daily Graphic would like to suggest that the party must put together a comprehensive strategy to bring the close allies, campaign team members and supporters of all the candidates to toe the line of their leaders.

This genuine reconciliation preceding sincere forgiveness is crucial for the party to bring all hands on deck in an election that requires numbers and a united front.

As the motto of the party states “Development in Freedom”, the leadership of the party, including its 2024 flag bearer, Dr Bawumia, must personally lead the charge by bringing all stakeholders on board to unleash their collective arsenal to face next year’s election in an atmosphere of freedom for the ultimate development of the country.

 Just as he stated in his acceptance speech at the Accra Sports Stadium, he must bring all supporters to the table.

The 2024 presidential election would be one of a contest of ideas, policy proposals and track record and the party that can convince the Ghanaian voter that it has the wherewithal to turn the fortunes of the country around, shift the economic paradigm, create decent employment, among others, will carry the day.

There has been a lot of dejection among the youth due to the lack of opportunities and harsh economic conditions which the Vice-President acknowledged in his acceptance speech.

 Whoever is able to offer the young ones who constitute majority of the population better options will certainly win their votes.

Ghanaians will also be looking at candidates or parties with a track record in good governance and human rights.

Once again, we commend the party for the successful conduct of the polls and also congratulate Dr Bawumia on his election.

On this historic occasion when the first Ghanaian from the northern part of the country and a devoted Muslim leads the NPP in the Fourth Republic, the Daily

Graphic looks forward to an exciting and issue-based campaign from both the NPP and the National Democratic Congress.

We wish the party and Dr Bawumia well in the 2024 general election.