Kufuor opposed Bawumia’s selection as running mate to Akufo-Addo in 2008 – Prof. Frimpong-Boateng

Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, the former Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, has stated that former President John Agyekum Kufuor was among those who initially opposed the selection of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as the running mate to Nana Akufo-Addo in 2008.

In an interview on Joy News on November 26, 2024, he expressed concerns about Vice President Bawumia's connection to the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

He explained that Dr. Bawumia was not a party member at the time of his selection, which sparked significant resistance from some prominent figures, including former President Kufuor.

Although Prof. Frimpong-Boateng said he did not object to Bawumia's initial selection based on his reputation as an economic expert, he criticised the Vice President's inability to meet economic expectations.

"Dr Bawumia is a very nice person, but I don't see him as a person who has [an] emotional attachment to the NPP.

"I am saying this because before he was selected to partner [with] Nana Addo Dankwa about 16 years ago, he was not even a member of the party, so a lot of people did not agree with the choice, including President Kufuor. But he was portrayed as economic Wizkid, [a] guru to help us. I didn't mind; I mean, if the person is good and can help the nation, but those expectations have not proved to be true, that is my problem."

Prof. Frimpong-Boateng further criticised the process that led to Dr. Bawumia's recent selection as the NPP's flagbearer for the 2024 elections.

He alleged that some delegates were manipulated, pressured, or bribed into voting for him.

"When it came to choosing a successor to Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the party and the government did a few things with the delegates. Delegates who were weak had their arms twisted; those who were fearful were intimidated, and those who were corrupt were bribed to vote for Dr. Bawumia," he asserted.

Prof. Frimpong-Boateng expressed disappointment in the current state of the NPP, describing it as disunited and lacking the principles that once defined the party.

He lamented the departure from values such as the rule of law and separation of powers.

"I no longer feel connected to the NPP," he added.

I don't see Dr. Bawumia as a person who has emotional attachment to the NPP - Prof. Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng. #ThePulse pic.twitter.com/RQAvPNzFPM

— JoyNews (@JoyNewsOnTV) November 26, 2024

AM/KA

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