Photo collage of Rawlings, Kufour, Atta Mills, Akufo-Addo, Mahama and Bawumia
Former Vice President and 2024 New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has laid out a historical pattern he believes will point to the outcome of Ghana’s 2028 presidential election.
Speaking during an open interaction with MMDCEs in Accra on Monday, June 23, 2025, Dr Bawumia drew a direct line through Ghana’s democratic history, citing a consistent tradition where sitting or outgoing presidents’ hand over power to individuals they had previously contested in elections.
According to him, this pattern places him next in line for the presidency, following President John Mahama.
He began with former President Jerry John Rawlings, who, after contesting and defeating John Agyekum Kufuor in 1996, eventually handed over power to him in 2001.
Next came President Kufuor, who had contested Prof John Evans Atta Mills in 2000 and 2004. After two terms in office, power was handed to Mills, following his victory in the 2008 election.
“Every president has handed over power to someone they contested. President Rawlings handed over power to Kufuor, they contested in 1996, isn’t it? President Kufuor handed over power to who? Atta Mills.
“They contested again in 2000 and 2004, isn’t it? And then Atta Mills unfortunately passed away and gave it to John Mahama in terms of he was elected.
But the Mills-Mahama government handed over power to who? Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo whom Mahama had contested.
And Nana Akufo-Addo has also handed over power to who? to John Mahama whom he contested.
“So now, who is John Mahama going to hand over power to? that is it. It’s clear. It’s clear.
John Mahama will hand over power to Dr Mahamudu. That is what is being done.”
He painted himself as the next logical beneficiary of this cycle, having contested John Mahama in 2024 and positioning himself as the most likely candidate to succeed him in 2028.
“Every president has handed over power to someone they once contested.. From Rawlings to Mahama, the pattern is clear: power passes between contenders.” – Bawumia#GraphicOnline pic.twitter.com/A7bDtrXeCJ
— DailyGraphic GraphicOnline (@Graphicgh) June 23, 2025
AM/KA
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