An early Christmas in August 2024, but not only in the US!

This August, surely Christmas came early for the Democratic Party in the USA, after 81-year-old President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 presidential race and nominated his Vice-President, Kamala Harris, to replace him. And for me, and fellow residents of my neighbourhood, it was an early Christmas experience too, owing to the fulfilment of a long-standing need.

President Biden’s surprise withdrawal announcement on Sunday, July 21, 2024, and endorsement of Ms Harris was received with near delirium of happiness by his party, the Democratic Party, because of his disappointing performance in a debate against Republican Party candidate former President Donald Trump on June 28.

President Biden’s ageing and health issues during the debate had given rise to mounting fears among Democrats and well-wishers globally that they would lose the White House in the 2024 race, and former President Trump would emerge victorious.

No wonder, there was widespread ecstatic demonstration of support for V-P Kamala Devi Harris, 59, after the endorsement and her acceptance on August 22, the final day of the Democratic National Convention 2024, in Chicago. Within 24 hours, she had reportedly been supported with record campaign donations. A source noted that “she raised $83, 599,345 in 24 hours. Just for her nomination!”

As of this week, her war chest is reportedly a staggering $540 million - and still counting - as against Mr Trump’s $327. Conceivably, many of the donations came from the never-again-Trump fraternity.

Her campaign office reported that after Ms Harris’s acceptance speech, donations of some $40 million poured in. Interestingly, the office stated having witnessed “unprecedented grassroots donations”, mostly from women and young voters. Also noteworthy, famous media personality and billionaire Oprah Winfrey alone added an astounding $150 million! This, is from a person who, reportedly, has never been known to identify closely with any presidential candidate!

Ms Harris, a lawyer of repute, is the first black woman and person of South Asian roots for the position. Her mother is Indian, and her father is Jamaican. It will be recalled that Vice-President Harris and husband Mr. Douglas Emhoff visited Ghana in March 2023. For my Dansoman Estate neighbourhood, in Accra, our early Christmas gift came in the form of the tarring of our roads at long, long last. After a wait of more than 40 years, our homes have finally parted company with road dust this month, August 2024!

Actually, the indication of an upgrade for our roads commenced in September, 2023, as I indicated in an article published on February 7, 2024, with heaps of sand and levelling; but then inexplicably, the work stalled. When activity resumed, the continued levelling made us wonder if the tarring would ever happen.

However, in the morning of August 22, when I drew the curtains of my bedroom, which is opposite my road, I saw that it had been tarred! I marvelled at the sight of the new look road! What I experienced was akin to the feeling a newcomer to Europe gets on seeing snow for the first time!

Anyway, as the general election is in December, people may be tempted to tag our upgrade humorously as an ‘election road’, done for votes. Nevertheless, I doubt if any of my neighbours will mind whatever critics or political opponents call it. I certainly don’t mind!

We thank our parliamentarian, Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful (MP, Ablekuma West; Communications and Digitalisation Minister), and all those who have helped to give us an early Christmas. Incidentally, this year seems to be the world year of elections! According to reference sources, 2024 appears to be the biggest election year in history, as there are some 65 elections globally. What I also find intriguing is the fascinating similarities between Election 2024 in the US (happening November 5) and Ghana (December 7).

Both countries have ex high office holders in the race for the presidency: former President Trump seeking a second term; and former President John Mahama of the National Democratic Congress, seeking a second occupancy of Jubilee House. And current Vice-President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), is seeking to defeat Mahama and build on the considerable President Nana Akufo-Addo and Bawumia legacy.

Ms Harris is of course a special case, as it wasn’t until President Biden dropped out that she entered the race – and has become Trump’s nightmare, given her ever increasing popularity and cash support. Bawumia and the NPP are hoping to triumph over the 8-year Ghana politics barrier because so far no party has won more than two of the four-year terms. This aspiration is summed up in the expression, ‘breaking the eight’. As stressed by the NPP, although the country is experiencing cost of living challenges, the massive developmental advances in Ghana under their watch will stand them in good stead.

Indeed, our new look road, though delayed, is part of the extensive developments and upgrades taking place in all sectors under the Akufo-Addo and Bawumia administration. Also, notably, both Dr Bawumia and Ms Harris are contesting while their bosses are in the background, but for different reasons. President Biden stood down, and President Akufo-Addo is ending his second term.

Interestingly, even the Harris and Bawumia campaign messages strike similar chords: Bawumia’s is ‘It is possible’, and the emerging one is ‘(Ghana needs an) Update, not a reset’ – clearly a response to the Mahama rallying cry, and title of the NDC 2024 manifesto (launched on August 24), ‘RESETTING GHANA’.

The Harris popular slogans are, ‘Let’s win this’ and ‘No going back’ - a response to the Trump slogan, ‘Make America Great Again’. Critics of Dr Bawumia have been harping on the fact that as he has been Vice-President, he has had the opportunity to implement the ideas and policies he is currently propagating. The taunt is “Why haven’t you implemented these ideas?”

In their view, under Dr Bawumia as head of the Economic Management Team, Ghana’s economy should have seen much better outcomes than being experienced now. In the US, too, from some quarters, a similar question is being asked of Vice-President Harris, in relation to her proposed policies: “Why has she not done all that in her present capacity as Vice President?”

One irate Harris supporter responded in a TikTok post last week with, “Because she is not the President!”

And that is the response from Dr. Bawumia, too, especially to those who accuse him of running away from the economy to become an ICT and digitalisation advocate. However, his explanation is that his vision is to make digitalisation the foundation of Ghana’s economic recovery.

Also, he points out that he has not been President before, unlike Mahama, and has his own vision for building on the Akufo-Addo and Bawumia achievements. In any case, can’t it also be argued that his proposed new methods and policies are in response to the public’s comments and criticisms?

The digitalisation agenda Dr Bawumia is championing as the route to winning the economic and corruption wars, is evidently showing fruitful results. Among other things, bank accounts can be accessed by phone, and payments for many services can be made by phone. The countless new initiatives he has spearheaded even as Vice-President, back his plea that if he wins, Ghanaians will not regret their decision.

Unmistakably, the 150 million dollars Oprah Winfrey donated to the Harris campaign was an emphatic affirmation of support. Similarly, I think the comment former President John Agyekum Kufuor made when Bawumia launched his manifesto on August 18, 2024, is the guiding light for any prospective Election 2024 voter. After enumerating Dr Bawumia’s stellar qualities and background, President Kufuor described him as “a man of destiny; a very insightful man. In fact, we’re presenting a custom-made candidate to the nation.”

Surely, accolades don’t come higher than that!

That’s why I can repeat what I wrote in an April 2023 article: “I, too, believe that achieving Dr Bawumia’s bold vision is possible.”