Political Science lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Dr Kwasi Amakye Boateng, has said the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has lost its grip on power with one year to the election.
According to the renowned Political Scientist, “no magic can turnaround our current economic woes” which he blamed on bad governance supervised by the President Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, he told Kofi Asante Ennin on GhanAkoma Thursday, December 7, 2023.
Dr. Amakye Boateng spoke about the illegal mining menace known as ‘galamsey’, that has festered under the current administration without plans to get it curbed. He said the practice that is destroying Ghana’s forest reserves and polluting the environment will be part of the determinants of the outcome of the 2024 polls, something the government has failed woefully at.
“Galamsey under this administration has been left to fester and some government officials are even complicit and Nana Addo sit aloof without any action,” he stated.
Who partners Bawumia?
Meanwhile, the Political Scientist has advised the NPP to factor the religious background of the person they will settle for a running mate. According to him, choosing someone from the Christian fraternity will help balance the religious context.
He questioned the popularity of Apostle Prof. Kwadwo Nimfour Opoku Onyinah, a former Chairman of the Church of Pentecost and the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral whose name has appeared in the list of possible candidates being considered for the running mate position.
The Majority Leader and Member of Parliament for Suame, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, who is also being tipped among the top faithful for consideration is not popular in the Ashanti region according to Dr. Amakye Boateng.
“People are angry with him in his own constituency, he will not help Bawumia at all,” he said.
Speaking about the Energy Minister, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, he described him as a hardworking man who “has support in his constituency, but I am not sure whether it translates nationwide,” concluding that he is also not an option for the Vice President.
Despite having a lose base with the party grassroots, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Minister of Education, according to the political science lecturer, possesses qualities which places him above the others being discussed as the top favourites for the portfolio.
“Someone once told me that, Adutwum does not take care of the party supporters and that might go against him” but “Adutwum can help Bawumia” because he has no issues with his public life which is a plus to him per Dr. Amakye Boateng’s checks.
By William Evans-Nkum|AkomaFM|Onuaonline.com