Former Vice President and the 2024 Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has admitted that the erstwhile government headed by ex President Akufo-Addo failed to heed to the advice of the party.
He explained that this cost them dearly in the 2024 polls.
Reflecting on the loss of the December 7 2024 elections, Dr Bawumia indicated that the number persons who were hurt by some unpopular decisions the government took at the time, were substantial to offset the fortunes of the party in the election.
Addressing party faithful in Takoradi, as part of a Thank You tour, the former Vice President said the party has learnt the hard way, the consequences for not listening to concerns of the masses. He indicated that atop several factors contributing to their loss, were rising cost of living, arrogance of power, and the debt restructuring program.
“We did not listen. The big issues are cost of living, arrogance of power and the debt restructuring program. The party suggested we reshuffle our ministerial portfolios. For 8 years we never reshuffled. The party advised against the implementation of e-levy, and yet we didn’t listen. There are about 16 million subscribers. Literally, all the voters use mobile money.
“The party advised against the implementation of the debt restructuring program. Most of them were pensioners. Despite the assurances from the President that there will be no haircuts, we never honoured that promise. Many bondholders were angered. Bondholders account for about eight hundred thousand people. And these people have dependents, at least three or four. So, it will never augur well for you when over two million people are hurt,” he explained.
Dr Bawumia continued that the party is reconsidering changes to its delegate system, as reports suggest it accounted partly for the party’s loss. He added that the government at the time failed to pay up allowances due personnel under the Nation Builders Corp, Afforestation Program, and caterers in the School Feeding Program.
“NaBCo alone was about one hundred thousand; afforestation was seventy thousand. All this court hatred against the NPP,” he remarked.
He admitted that the government failed to commit resources for development infrastructure in a number of regions the NPP lost. The PTC interchange, Takoradi Market, Mpohor and Shama road projects were but a few the former Vice President mentioned as a disappointment to the people of the Western Region.
Guided by these lessons, he urged party people to unite and heal, stressing that there is hope for the future.
