How Bawumia roasted Mahama at the ‘Bawumia for Jobs’ event

The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, held an engagement event focused on job creation, dubbed ‘Bawumia for Jobs,’ on Sunday, November 3, 2024, at the Borteyman Sports Complex in Accra.

During the event, Dr. Bawumia, the Vice President of Ghana, highlighted the achievements of the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government, his contributions, and his policies for job creation.

He seized every opportunity to criticize his major contender for the upcoming December 7, 2024, presidential elections, former President John Dramani Mahama, the presidential candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

While Mahama was attending the “Peace Campaign 2024,” organized by the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC) to pledge peace for the upcoming elections and promote unity, he was unaware that he was receiving ‘stray bullets’ from the Vice President.

Dr. Bawumia did not hold back in criticizing Mahama's performance during his time in office, as well as some of his policy ideals, manifesto promises, and campaign proposals.

Here are some of the points Bawumia made about Mahama:

I’m not John Mahama; you can trust me to protect the public purse - Bawumia:

The NPP presidential candidate aimed to distinguish himself from former President Mahama regarding the fight against corruption. He asserted that, unlike Mahama, Ghanaians can trust him to protect the public purse.

“I will tell you why we are all not the same and cannot be the same. I am not John Mahama. He is a former President and a former Vice President. I am a Vice President who has never been President before, asking you for the opportunity to lead and show what I can do if given this chance this December.

“You can trust me to protect the public purse and use it selflessly to serve you. To the young voters of Ghana, I say: do not switch off; get involved. December is about you. It’s about who can deliver for you, for your future—who you trust, who has the integrity, vision, energy, competence, and understanding of today’s world and your place in it,” Dr. Bawumia said.

You can trust me to protect the public purse and use it selflessly to serve you - Dr Bawumia. #ElectionHQ pic.twitter.com/S1ADAwrIwx

— Joy 99.7 FM (@Joy997FM) November 3, 2024

How can we have a leader who does not appreciate the value of digitalisation - Bawumia

Dr. Bawumia asserted that Mahama should not be allowed anywhere near the presidency due to what he described as the former President’s lack of appreciation for digitalisation.

“In this fourth industrial revolution, how can we have a leader who doesn’t appreciate the value of digitalisation in the global economy? He should not be allowed close to the presidency with that mindset.

“A leader who doesn’t understand digitalisation in today’s world wants to be President of a country like ours, trying to move forward into the future. No,” Bawumia stated.

“He (John Mahama) should not be allowed close to the presidency. He also says the 24hr economy is voluntary and will be implemented gradually , Awurade Nyankopon”. Dr Bawumia speaks on John Mahama’s 24hr economy policy pic.twitter.com/CBETgaQU65

— CHARLOTTE NICOLE 🕊 (@charllycolegh) November 3, 2024

Explanations of the 24-hour economy now include the rearing of lions and elephants - Bawumia:

Dr. Bawumia also mocked Mahama’s primary policy objective for the 2024 presidential election—the 24-hour economy. He suggested that Mahama and members of his party cannot explain the policy and are providing different interpretations almost daily.

“His signature economic policy, the 24-hour economy, has defied explanation and understanding. It’s essentially a case of ‘one day, one explanation,’ including the rearing of lions and elephants.

“The latest explanation I have heard is that for one job, you will have three shifts and three workers. So if you have a school, one teacher will come in the morning, another will come in the evening, and another will come at midnight, including kindergarten teachers. He also says it is voluntary and will be implemented gradually. Awurade Nyankopon!”

“He (John Mahama) should not be allowed close to the presidency. He also says the 24hr economy is voluntary and will be implemented gradually , Awurade Nyankopon”. Dr Bawumia speaks on John Mahama’s 24hr economy policy pic.twitter.com/CBETgaQU65

— CHARLOTTE NICOLE 🕊 (@charllycolegh) November 3, 2024

Mahama claims he introduced Free SHS after calling it bogus - Bawumia

The Vice President also criticized Mahama's stance on the Free Senior High School Policy (Free SHS).

He claimed that Mahama had previously stated that implementing the policy was impossible and would lead to the collapse of Ghana’s economy.

“Mahama called Free SHS bogus but is now claiming to be the one who introduced it,” Dr. Bawumia added.



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