Political Communications Consultant, Dr Ekow Acquah, has commended former Vice President of Ghana, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, for using his solidarity address at last week’s NPP Delegates Conference to encourage the party members to embrace unity.
In an article authored by Dr Ekow Acquah, he described Dr Bawumia’s address as an “oratory masterpiece”, adding it reminded him of the iconic speech by Abraham Lincoln at his second inauguration which called on Americans to put their differences behind them and embrace unity.
“As the immediate past Vice President and Flagbearer, the mantle of delivering that all-important keynote address fell on Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. To a wounded party determined to heal and fight on, Dr. Bawunia had an onerous responsibility to deliver a masterpiece of a speech, to reinvogorate the over 5000 delegates gathered inside the stadium and millions of party members watching on televiosn across the country,” Dr. Ekow Acquah wrote.
He continued; “To the admiration of most inside the arena, and surely those watching live, Bawumia lived up to expectations. He was accorded the mantle of leadership at a crucial moment in the life of the NPP, he delivered and spoke like a leader.”
“First, he begun his address by telling the party stakeholders how he would have loved to be speaking to them “under different circumstances,” a clever introduction, which reflects the feelings of party members over the defeat the NPP suffered in both the Presidential and Parliamentary elections.”
“From that humble and apologetic introduction, Dr. Bawumia focused on conveying a sense of hope and optimism, and crucially, a rallying call for party unity, which resonated so well with party members.”
“The central theme of Bawumia’s address, unity, tolerance and respect for diversity, as well as the undying spirit of the elephant family to make a comeback from adversity, perfectly articulated the aspirations of party members,” he added.
“As I listened to Dr. Bawumia’s oratory masterpiece, rallying his party to embrace unity or perish, he reminded me of two iconic speeches in history: Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural address, which passionately called on Americans to forget their difference and unite, after the Civil War, as well as the “Africa must unite” address by our former President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, who called on Africa to unite for a stronger continent.”
Read article below:
Bawumia’s Congress Speech: an oratory masterpiece which will go down as one of his greatest
By Dr. Ekow Aquah, Political Communications Consultant
Former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is renowned for his excellent oratory, which has often uplifted fellow NPP faithful in difficult situations.
So many times in the past, Bawumia’s oratory, has not only inspired, it has also provided much needed tonic to the elephant fraternity, when they have mostly needed it.
Whether at the Supreme Court facing the marauding Tsatau Tsikata; whether in opposition delivering piercing addresses against the first Mahama government; whether in government leading his cherished digitalisation drive or espousing feats chalked by the Akufo-Addo government, and whether on his own stage selling his ideas as Presidential Candidate, Dr. Bawumia’s deliveries have been excellent and invigorating.
Last weekend, when members of the NPP congregated at the University of Ghana for the first time after the 2024 election, for its Delegates Conference, it was a new reality for the party that ruled Ghana in the past eight years, under the leadership of Nana Akufo-Addo.
For Dr. Bawumia, it was a painful reality as the party’s Flagbearer for the 2024 Presidential electio. And as faith would have it, Dr. Bawumia delivered the “keynote address” of the crucial Congress following the coincidental absence of the party’s two ex leaders, Presidents Kufuor and Nana Akufo-Addo.
As the immediate past Vice President and Flagbearer, the mantle of delivering that all-important keynote address fell on Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. To a wounded party determined to heal and fight on, Dr. Bawunia had an onerous responsibility to deliver a masterpiece of a speech, to reinvogorate the over 5000 delegates gathered inside the stadium and millions of party members watching on televiosn across the country.
As Bawumia, flanked by his ever supportive wife made the long walk from the VIP section of the stadium to the podium at the centre of the pitch, he received a thunderous applause which only increased the weight of expectations.
To the admiration of most inside the arena, and surely those watching live, Bawumia lived up to expectations. He was accorded the mantle of leadership at a crucial moment in the life of the NPP, he delivered and spoke like a leader.
First, he begun his address by telling the party stakeholders how he would have loved to be speaking to them “under different circumstances,” a clever introduction, which reflects the feelings of party members over the defeat the NPP suffered in both the Presidential and Parliamentary elections.
From that humble and apologetic introduction, Dr. Bawumia focused on conveying a sense of hope and optimism, and crucially, a rallying call for party unity, which resonated so well with party members.
Being the exceptional communicator he has always been, Bawumia, in stressing the need for party unity, tolerance and respect for diversity, used the remarkable past of the NPP’s founding fathers, and how they came together from different parts of the country under different groups, to form the United Party (UP).
The central theme of Bawumia’s address, unity, tolerance and respect for diversity, as well as the undying spirit of the elephant family to make a comeback from adversity, perfectly articulated the aspirations of party members.
As I listened to Dr. Bawumia’s oratory masterpiece, rallying his party to embrace unity or perish, he reminded me of two iconic speeches in history: Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural address, which passionately called on Americans to forget their difference and unite, after the Civil War, as well as the “Africa must unite” address by our former President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, who called on Africa to unite for a stronger continent.
Like America under Lincoln, the situation the NPP faces now requires an urgent need for party unity. And at such a crucial gathering of stakeholders, party members needed to go home rejuvenated, with a sense of hope and purpose. The party needed a strong voice to lead, to rally and to inspire
In Dr. Bawumia, the NPP had its own Abraham Lincoln, who delivered an inspiring speech. Many years to come, people will look back at this powerful address by Bawumia, as one of his greatest political speeches, which did not only call people into action, but also inspired and gave millions hope.
AME
