Medical doctor and former New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential aspirant, Dr. Arthur Kobina Kennedy, has strongly criticized Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, accusing him of being “unprincipled and ungrateful.”
Dr. Kennedy’s remarks stem from Dr. Bawumia’s comments on the NPP’s “Thank You” tour, where he appeared to distance himself from the policies of the previous Akufo-Addo administration.
Speaking on TV3’s Ghana Tonight show, Dr. Kennedy suggested that Dr. Bawumia’s comments, which implicitly criticize former President Akufo-Addo, are aimed at “going after” the former president and will only “cause disaffection” within the party.
“Dr. Bawumia, in effect, is going after the former president for reasons that look quite obvious,” he said.
Dr. Kennedy argued that Dr. Bawumia, who served as Vice President for eight years, cannot now claim to have had no influence over the administration’s policies.
“You cannot be touted by the likes of Osafo-Maafo as the most influential and consequential vice president in our history… and then when we finally lose an election, [you] turn around and pretend you never had any influence,” he stated.
He further questioned Dr. Bawumia’s silence on key issues during his time in office. “Did Dr. Bawumia ever speak in cabinet against the cathedral? Did he ever condemn corruption? I mean, did he ever raise his voice against what happened to Afoko and Kwabena Agyepong, etc.?” Dr. Kennedy asked.
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Dr. Kennedy also alleged that Dr. Bawumia’s recent criticisms are motivated by the knowledge that former President Akufo-Addo has decided to support another candidate for the NPP’s 2028 flagbearer position.
“You can’t sit there for eight years as vice president and enjoy all the privileges, and then as soon as you realize that the man [Akufo-Addo] has changed his mind [on your candidature], all of a sudden discover all his faults,” he said.
He concluded by emphasizing that Dr. Bawumia should have remained principled and offered his advice to his former boss, regardless of any perceived change in support.
“After all, when you join a ticket, you do not hand over your conscience. You’re still accountable for your decisions,” Dr. Kennedy stated.
