Surprise, career, prayer - Bawumia recounts how he accepted to partner Akufo-Addo in 2008

Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has recounted how he received and processed his first invitation into frontline politics.

This was after he was nominated running mate to the then New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in 2008.

Bawumia, at the time a deputy governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG) said he was surprised at the nomination, which effectively thrust him into national politics.

He told the Africa Watch Magazine in an interview that he carefully reflected on the nomination especially against his career as a banker at the time.

Bawumia said he also prayed over the issue before eventually accepting to partner Akufo-Addo in the 2008 election which they lost before recording a second loss in 2012.

“When the president asked me to be his running mate, I was very surprised, but it turns out I had come to the attention of some of the party elders. At the time I was a deputy governor of the Bank of Ghana. I had to take the tough decision of abandoning my career for the uncertain world of politics. I reflected deeply on it and prayed about it.

“I realized that it was a God-sent opportunity to make a difference in Ghana, and to contribute to the development of our country at the highest levels.

"I was inspired by the vision and philosophy of the president and my inherent capabilities as a problem-solver. I knew I had something great to offer in support of the vision of the president and the NPP for Mother Ghana,” he explained.

Despite losses in 2008 and 2012, Bawumia was retained as running mate in the 2016 polls which Akufo-Addo won, before retaining him for the successful 2020 reelection.

Bawumia has thus served for 16 years in frontline politics, eight as opposition running mate and eight as Vice President. He is currently running for the presidency as flagbearer of the NPP in the 2024 polls.

SARA