Whoever thought Dr Bawumia’s introductory visit to the chiefs and people of the three northern regions will help turn the fortunes of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the better? But that was the case when the new face in Ghana’s politics toured the land of his fathers.
From Tamale to Walewale to Narelugu to Yendi; from Damango to Tumu down to Gwollu, through Nandom, Lawra, Jirapa, Kaleo, Wachiau, Bulenga and to Bussie, Navrongo, Bolgatanga and many other places of traditional power, the message was that of Naanana- Naa Bawumia, Naa Bawumia- Naa victory. The way the people caught up the fever of the Bawumias to the extent of chiefs declaring open support for the man of the moment was unprecedented in the political campaign of Ghana.
Chiefs never forgot the wonderful works his late father, Mumuni Bawumia, did for the northern region that, they openly declared their unflinching support to ensure that Dr Bawumia becomes the next vice president of Ghana, come what may.
Nayiri Naa was so phenomenal that his joy and pride for such wonderful son of his land was simply victory is your for the taking and you have my blessings and support to be the next vice president of our country.
In Yendi Dr Bawumia’s entry changed the atmosphere for that of unity, love and co-existence. At the Andani gate where he first visited the Regent of Dagbon, the reception was beyond description. The Regent, Abdulai Andani was full of delight for the honour that a wonderful son of a great son of the land has brought to them. “You have brought honour and hope to us and I wish you the blessings of God so that success will be yours for the take in the coming elections,” said the regent.
At the Abudu gate it was just electrifying. The numbers, the fun, the singing and drumming and the women throwing themselves to the new political force in Ghana, was just unprecedented. The Regent Bolin Lana called Dr Bawumia a chosen compatriot. He said, “It is heart warming to have you in our midst today. We are happy because a compatriot has been chosen to complement the Flagbearer of our great tradition.”
Bolin-Lana told Bawumia how proud they are of the records of the political tradition they have supported since time immemorial and declared that “It is our conviction that in your partnership, you will make a superior pair that would confidently galvanize the support of the electorate and bring home the victory the party and government so rightly deserve.” At Damango, Yagbonwura noted said the works of the late Mumuni Bawumia was so outstanding to merit his son any support needed to continue the good works of his father. He said, “We are privilege to have no other person than the son of a great son of our land to seek our support in this crucial election. I offer you our blessing and support and come December, you and your party will win the elections.”
The euphoria at Wa was just magnifying. People from all walks of life had waited for hours just to be part of the arrival ceremony. They hate being told by a colleague. They simple want to feel it themselves. Here, the Chief Imam said there can be no better time to develop the north than this time when their own son whose father was remarkable in the development of northern Ghana is part of the new vision to revive the spirit and ideals of their forefathers. “I am happy and excited to have you here today and it is my prayers that Allah grants you the honour of victory to be the next vice president of Ghana,” said the Chief Imam.
At Tumu the Bawumia fever was like bird flu in a farm yard. There, the message of “politics is not a religion” was devised by Dr Bawumia. The chiefs and people made it clear that this time round they too will be part of the call for a new political direction of having your “mother in the kitchen.” Gwollu’s case was different. An elder who spoke on behalf the chief and people declared that “they are privileged to have the son of the late Bawumia to visit the tomb of their great son- Dr Hilla Limann, and present himself to them for support to become the vice president of Ghana. I can assure you of our support and the sign of respect you have shown us today, we will not let you down.”
The support from chiefs and opinion leaders continued thereof to Lambushie, Nandom, Lawra, Jirapa even in the mist of heavy downpours.
At Kaleo, the spokesman for the chief, Naa Anwabiri said the bond between Kaleo and the UP tradition shall forever be respected. He said, “Our own Jatoe Kaleo relationship with your party was that of a big family and for me the personal relationship I had with your father was so instrumental that I can never imagine letting you down. We shall continue to support you.” At Wachiau it was simply an open support from the elder who spoke for the chief. But then what happened at Bulenga, the only seat of the NPP in Upper West Region was beyond imagination. Heavy downpours, late programme yet they were there in their numbers to felicitate with their own son, the learned youngman Bawumia.
The speaker said that they will return the respect and love shown by Dr Bawumia through his visit with support so that come December 7 victory will be his for the taking.
The support was everywhere that he visited but what he got from Bolga Naba on Saturday in a town that has consistently voted against the NPP can be better explained as the work of destiny. Naa Abliba wondered what at all his people need again to vote for the NPP.
He said, “... we all can see what President Kufuor’s government has done for Bolgatanga even though we have not been voting for them. Now they have made the wisest choice by given us a running-mate from our own again. What do you need again to make you vote for the NPP?
So there it goes. The call by Dr Bawumia to northerners to embrace the new political paradigm shift is making huge impact on the leadership of the people. If less than three weeks the unknown Bawumia could be such a force in the political landscape, then what will happen when he fully mount the platform to be politically correct? Only God can tell, explained Abdul Batir of Bolgatanga.
