Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and former President, John Dramani Mahama
Prelude:
7th December 2024 will go down as the most memorable and significant day in Ghana’s history. The day will present Ghanaians the opportunity to participate in arguably the most important elections in the history of the country. Any decision made on this day will have a far-reaching consequence on the future direction of this country, it will affect the current generation as well as the generations yet unborn.
Realistically speaking, the election is between the two major political parties the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) who are presenting former President John Dramani Mahama and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia respectively as their candidates, no disrespect to other candidates.
Overview of candidates:
Politicians of all kinds have one common message: to work in the interest of the electorate. While some of them actually mean it, others do not. Even among those with genuine intent, they are sometimes constrained by circumstances beyond their control.
Both John Mahama and Mahamudu Bawumia have indicated their resolve to work in the interest of Ghanaians. It is important to analyze the two candidates and ascertain which of them will be able to work in the interest of Ghanaians, in order to make informed decisions on 7th December without regrets.
While former President Mahama has risen through the ranks of his party to the highest position and has no political godfather within the NDC who could direct and control him, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia cannot boast of such clout within the NPP. He has political godfathers who are currently working hard to ensure he becomes the next president.
In the event that Dr. Bawumia becomes the next president, there is a very high possibility that he will be subjected to manipulations and directions from his political godfathers to protect their personal interests.
Assessing Bawumia:
It is a known fact that the Akyem-Abuakwa Ofori-Panyin house clan has an insatiable interest in the upcoming election. A victory for Dr. Bawumia will be a welcome relief for them, it will suppress the stench of any rotten fruit in their basket, and it will also present them the opportunity to continue calling the shots in Ghana.
With all these possibilities, even if Dr. Bawumia intends to serve the interest of Ghana, there is a propensity of this group to thwart his plans for their parochial interest without him being able to resist.
Moreover, Dr. Bawumia will not have the vehemence and impertinence to prosecute members of the current government including the Akyem-Mafia and their associates, even if he intends to do so. He will be frustrated and if he dares, they will make Ghana ungovernable for his administration.
In a nutshell, Dr. Bawumia may have a very good intention, but he will be at risk of being controlled and directed to serve the interests of his political god-fathers instead of Ghanaians’ interests.
Assessing John Mahama:
Conversely, John Mahama has near absolute control of the NDC, he has no one’s interest to serve and protect. There is no one in the NDC who can manipulate, direct and control him to serve or protect their interest. He will be independent of influence by any group of people or clan. John Mahama can prosecute members of the NPP and the NDC who are found to have engaged in any corrupt activity.
He will not be looking over his shoulders and be worried about upsetting those who put him where he is. As a result of these, his decisions will be independent of manipulations and control from his bosses, because he has no bosses within the NDC.
Findings:
All things being equal, both candidates would like to be on the right side of history by contributing to the development of this country if given the opportunity, but in this case, all things are not equal.
Even though both candidates may have genuine intentions to serve the interest of Ghana, there are factors which will mitigate against Bawumia in his resolve to serve Ghana’s interest judiciously; these are succumbing to the whims and caprices of his political god-fathers and protecting their interests in order to have peace of mind to govern.
In reverse, John Mahama will not face any of such obstacles in serving Ghanaians wholeheartedly. He will be his own man, take decisions independently without seeking to please his political god-fathers because he has none.
Verdict:
In view of the above reasons, and on the balance of probabilities, former President Mahama will be able to serve Ghana’s interest more than Dr. Bawumia. Mahama has experience and commands respect within the NDC while Bawumia will be at the mercy of his masters, and will be compelled to do their bidding willingly or unwillingly.
Conclusions:
The 2024 election is a crucial one, the outcome of the elections will be the most significant one with huge ramifications on the socio-economic and political development of Ghana. Therefore, decisions must not be based on party affiliations, tribal lineage, love or hatred for a particular candidate, but must be based on the future of Ghana.
Ghana needs a president who will not be compelled by obvious mitigating challenges from his bosses, we need a president who will be his own man and deliver without fear or favour, that is John Dramani Mahama.
