Nana Ohene Ntow, Senior Campaign Advisor to Alan Kyerematen, has shed light on a significant internal disagreement within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) regarding the selection of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as the running mate for then-candidate Akufo-Addo.
In an insightful interview on Channel One TV’s "Cituation Room," Ohene Ntow, who formerly served as the General Secretary of the NPP, revealed that the party's leadership, including himself, initially opposed Bawumia’s nomination. They were perplexed as to why an outsider, rather than a seasoned party member, was being considered for such a critical role.
According to Ohene Ntow, it was President Akufo-Addo’s persuasion that eventually influenced the party’s decision. Akufo-Addo assured the NPP that Bawumia’s economic acumen would be invaluable, promising to entrust him with managing the economy if they were elected.
Leading up to the 2016 general elections, Dr. Bawumia was widely harbingered as the best Economist to rescue Ghana from its economic woes. His series of public lectures critically analyzing and challenging the economic policies of the Mahama administration bolstered this perception.
However, as Vice President and head of the Economic Management Team for nearly eight years, Bawumia has faced growing public criticism for not meeting the lofty expectations set for him. Many citizens express disappointment, feeling that the economic transformation they hoped for has not materialized.
Reflecting on the contentious decision to nominate Bawumia, Ohene Ntow recounted heated discussions within the party. "When Akufo-Addo proposed Bawumia as his running mate, we were incredulous. We questioned why someone outside the party was being considered. It led to a significant confrontation at the Alisa Hotel," he said.
Despite initial resistance, Akufo-Addo’s unwavering confidence in Bawumia’s expertise, supported by former President Kufour’s counsel to give him a chance, ultimately led to his acceptance. “Akufo-Addo assured us that Bawumia’s economic knowledge would transform Ghana’s economy, and President Kufour urged us to trust his judgment to avoid future regret,” Ohene Ntow concluded.
This revelation adds a new layer of understanding to the dynamics within the NPP and the high stakes involved in the selection of key leadership roles, highlighting the complex interplay of trust, expertise, and party loyalty in political decision-making.