Dr Bawumia deserves credit for his contributions – Dr Ayew Afriye

The Middle Belt Campaign Coordinator for Dr Mahamudu Bawumia in the 2024 elections, Dr Nana Ayew Afriye, has expressed surprise at critics of the former Vice President, saying they are reluctant to acknowledge his achievements.

Dr Ayew Afriye speaking during an interview on Kumasi-based OTEC FM on September 8, 2025, described such criticisms as hypocritical and unfair to the aspiring 2028 flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

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“What is even troubling is that our own people are leading the onslaught. If we in the NPP admit that somehow, we disappointed Ghanaians, then we must collectively accept the blame and apologise to Ghanaians, with the former president leading,” the Effiduase-Asokore lawmaker said.

The Ranking Member on Parliament's Health Committee also argued that Dr Bawumia has been unfairly targeted because he is the most likely candidate to win next year’s NPP presidential primary scheduled for January 31, 2026.

According to Dr Ayew Afriye, the 2024 flagbearer of the opposition party was the brain behind many of the social intervention policies implemented under the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government.

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“Those attacking Bawumia know very well his influence in executing some of the government’s social intervention policies that became popular.

“It is no secret that Dr Bawumia advised against some decisions he considered unpopular and harmful to the government and the NPP, but those cautions were ignored. What more could he have done as Vice President?

“The party faithful will never forget how he dedicated himself, even at the risk of his career, to ensure the NPP came to power. Was he not the same person who became a thorn in the flesh of the then-ruling NDC? They could not contain him. He was the hero then, so what has changed? I ask his critics,” he stated.

Dr Ayew Afriye stressed that Dr Bawumia remains focused on his decent campaign and will continue to align with the expectations of the party to achieve the ultimate goal of building a better country for all.

JKB/MA

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