Exactly 69 days after the highly anticipated 2024 general elections, ModernGhana News brings to its readers a recap of some of the interesting events that occurred during the campaign period.
In this article, we will share excerpts of stories from chiefs and traditional leaders who endorsed the former Vice President and 2024 New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
Five Paramount Chiefs from the Nadowli-Kaleo District in Ghana’s Upper West Region publicly endorsed Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for the presidency.
In a collective statement delivered on their behalf on July 24, the chiefs cited their confidence in his leadership and vision for national development. They affirmed, as quoted by the NewsGhana portal, “Mr. Vice President, we pledge the support of the Chiefs and good people of Nadowli-Kaleo Constituency to vote massively for you to become the President of the Republic of Ghana. We believe in your leadership and vision for our nation.”
The Daily Guide also reported how Dr. Bawumia’s visit to Sefwi Bonzain in the Western North Region was met with immense enthusiasm. The chief of the area, Nana Ofori Ahenkan II, who is the Krontihene of the Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Council, openly urged his people to vote for the NPP.
“We never thought this day would come, but you’ve made it happen. Our former chief wanted to see our road constructed, but unfortunately, he never did. But during my time, the NPP government has started constructing our roads – roads that never saw construction in their lifetime.
“Your Excellency, now I am not even the one to campaign for you; your policies and works are already doing the campaign for you.
“I always say the rewards for politicians are here on earth. So, looking at the work Dr. Bawumia and the NPP government have done, go out and vote massively for them on December 7 for them to continue their good works,” he added.
One of Dr. Bawumia’s earliest endorsements during the campaign season came from the Ashanti Region House of Chiefs. They hailed the NPP flagbearer for being the first dignitary and non-member of Asanteman to visit the Regional House of Chiefs.
“You are the first dignitary and non-member of Asanteman to visit the Ashanti Region House of Chiefs, and to have our queen mothers seated before 9 a.m. shows how highly we regard you,” Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, the occupant of the Silver Stool of Asanteman, said on behalf of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
In what many may not have expected from a tradition NDC stronghold, the Volta Regional House of Chiefs expressed support for the innovative and forward-thinking proposals of Dr. Bawumia, calling on Ghanaians to adopt these ideas for the advancement of the nation.
The President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, Togbe Tepre Hodo IV, said, as quoted by Citi Newsroom, “I think we have all heard the very progressive and forward-thinking ideas and thoughts that have characterised the visits of His Excellency the Vice President.”
“You and I agree that this country needs to move forward. We need progress. We need economic development. Let us listen carefully and ponder these suggestions that the Vice President has made. I am not suggesting any partisanship as far as this is concerned. I am talking about the country called Ghana.
“We need Ghana to move forward. These progressive ideas ought to bear fruit for the good of this nation… It doesn’t matter who wears the hat; the important thing is that this country is moving forward, and therefore, we should all embrace these positive ideas. I am optimistic that there is hope for this country,” he stated.
In the Western North Region, Katakyi Kwasi Bumangama II, the Paramount Chief of the Sefwi-Wiawso Traditional Area, declared his support for the NPP, predicting a resounding victory for the then ruling party.
“I want to assure you that I am still your father, and you can always depend on the Sefwi-Wiawso Traditional Council for overwhelming victory come December 7.
“I urge everyone to go out in their numbers on December 7 and vote for Festus Bumagama Agyeapong, who is my biological son, as Member of Parliament (MP) for the Sefwi-Wiawso Constituency and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as the next President,” he added.
Similarly, the Paramount Chief of the Kpassa Traditional Area, Dr. Ubor Tossan Konja VI, endorsed Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s candidacy, dismissing the need for him to campaign extensively across the nation.
“As for the election, you have already won. Your campaign tour is simply an opportunity to engage with the youth who may not yet know you as Ghana’s President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. There is no need for you to campaign because victory is already yours,” the chief remarked when Dr. Bawumia paid him a courtesy visit during his tour of the Oti Region on Monday, October 28, 2024.
The Acting President of the Akrodie Traditional Council, Nana Darko Kuffuor, also threw his weight behind Dr. Bawumia.
“Vice President Bawumia is a big brain that gives birth to great visions and ambitions; one that brought forth a university here in Akrodie deserves appreciation. Our only prayer is for him to do something about the Asumura road for us when we vote massively for him.
“May the good Lord be with him so that when he comes, whatever he does will be successful. I know if you look at the crowd here, you can tell that if elections were held today, you would have won,” he said.
The Paramount Chief of the Dwenem-Awasu Traditional Area in Jaman South, Nana Bofobene IV, while speaking during a courtesy call on him by Dr. Bawumia, praised the then Veep’s leadership and vision for the country, stressing that he had confidence in his capabilities.
“Even though you don’t hail from here, we don’t see you as such because your good deeds are following you. You are not an ordinary mate, but you have probed issues and seen the policies that can make the country progress. The future of Ghana and my people rests in your hands,” he stated.
Also joining the long line of endorsers, the Queen Mother of Bechem in the Ahafo Region, Nana Adwoa Por Dwamena, urged her people to vote massively for the NPP.
“Let us choose a person who would be good for us, someone who does what he says. I’m begging you not to look at anything else. Let us consider what is good for the country so that our children and grandchildren will have a better life.
“I beg you, don’t let Ghana go back. Let Ghana move forward. Let Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia continue, so we can test him and see. He has done some, and he will continue to do more. So I am asking the people of Ghana, the people of Bechem, the people of Ahafo, to vote wisely,” she said.
She added, “They say traditional leaders are not supposed to be doing politics, but we would give testimony to what we have seen. I know that when he (Bawumia) comes, Ghana will take back its glory. So, my son, don’t be afraid, be brave. The victory is yours.”
The outcome of the December 7, 2024 general elections
According to official results from the Electoral Commission, National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate John Dramani Mahama won the 2024 elections with 6,591,790 votes, representing 56.42% of the total valid votes cast.
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) polled 4,877,611 votes, representing 41.75%.
