A pro-New Patriotic Party (NPP) group, Friends of Dr. Bawumia, has come to the defence of the former Vice President amid accusations that he has been disloyal to former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Speaking at the auditorium of Takoradi Technical University during the launch of his nationwide Thank You Tour on Saturday, April 26, Dr. Bawumia cited a combination of internal and external factors that led to the NPP’s defeat in the 2024 elections.
He explained that multiple challenges, including economic hardships, poor internal management, unpopular government decisions, and arrogance of power, created widespread dissatisfaction among Ghanaians.
He specifically pointed to the high cost of living, the refusal to reshuffle government officials, the controversial E-Levy, and the government’s decision to implement the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) under the IMF debt restructuring plan.
However, his remarks have been met with criticism both within and outside the party, with some accusing the 2024 flagbearer of trying to shift blame to protect his political ambition.
According to a press statement from Friends of Dr. Bawumia, signed by Kwaku Atta Sarpong, these criticisms are the result of deliberate misrepresentations aimed at sowing division between the former Veep and his boss.
“We wish to state categorically that Dr. Bawumia did not, at any point, blame President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the New Patriotic Party’s loss in the 2024 general elections,” the group clarified.
They added, “Dr. Bawumia has consistently shown respect and gratitude to President Akufo-Addo for his leadership and the opportunity to serve Ghana, and remains committed to the unity and progress of the New Patriotic Party.”
Read the full statement below;
Dr. Bawumia’s Remarks in the Western Region Misrepresented — No Blame Cast on President Akufo-Addo
The attention of the Friends of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has been drawn to attempts by certain individuals and groups to misrepresent his recent comments during his Thank You Tour in the Western Region.
We wish to state categorically that Dr. Bawumia did not, at any point, blame President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the New Patriotic Party’s loss in the 2024 general elections. What Dr. Bawumia did was refer to numerous independent studies and post-election analyses that identified key factors that contributed to the party’s performance. These factors included perceptions of arrogance of power, the failure to reshuffle ministers, the introduction of the E-Levy, the debt exchange programme, and the high cost of living.
These are not new revelations. They are already well known to party members, sympathizers, and the general public, and have been discussed openly within the party in the spirit of reflection and learning.
It is therefore unfortunate that some anti-Bawumia elements are twisting these facts in an attempt to create division between Dr. Bawumia and President Akufo-Addo. We strongly urge such persons to desist from this divisive agenda. Dr. Bawumia has consistently shown respect and gratitude to President Akufo-Addo for his leadership and the opportunity to serve Ghana, and remains committed to the unity and progress of the New Patriotic Party.
Let us focus on rebuilding together, not tearing each other apart.
Signed
Kwaku Atta Sarpong
