Political Analyst and University of Ghana Senior Lecturer, Dr. Joshua Jebuntie Zaato, says the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has moved past the “Book of Lamentations” following the re-election of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as the party’s flagbearer.
Dr. Bawumia polled 56.48 % of the total valid votes cast across all 16 regions of Ghana. His closest contender, Kennedy Agyapong, polled 23.78%.
Meanwhile Dr. Bryan Acheampong, Dr.Yaw Osei Adutwum and Ing. Kwabena Agyei Agyapng gained 18.53%, 1.02% and 0.21% respectively.
Speaking on the Atlantic Wave this morning, Dr. Zaato observed that the delegates’ decision was a tactical one, born out of a deep respect and a healthy fear of the power the grassroots hold.
He emphasized that the delegates voted Dr. Bawumia as their presidential candidate based on emotional maturity and competence, rather than taking their mandate for granted.
Hesaid “They have voted for merit. They have voted for competence, they have voted for emotional maturity, and they have voted for a candidate they believe has the wherewithal to lead them out of opposition…”
Addressing the 2024 election defeat, Dr. Zaato admitted there was enough blame to go around for every appointee and party member. However, he argued that the current economic stability is actually being anchored by Dr. Bawumia’s past policies, specifically the Gold for Oil and Gold Purchase programmes.
He pointed out that while critics previously questioned Dr. Bawumia’s economic impact, the fact that the current administration is relying on the gold reserves he accumulated is a clear “vindication” of his creativity and foresight.
Dr. Zaato believes the NPP must stop blaming now and focus on the expertise their leader brings to the 2028 race.
“I think the period of lamentations is over,” he said. We can now move from the book of Lamentations to the book of joy. The NPP can move from blaming themselves and feeling bad to saying, ” We have settled on a leader. We can now turn our attention to the incoming government.”
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