In a spirited campaign kickoff, Ghana's Vice President Mahamadu Bawumia outlined his vision for the nation, vowing to jumpstart the struggling economy, combat corruption, and empower the private sector if elected president in December.
At 60, the seasoned economist clinched the presidential candidacy of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in November, setting the stage for a showdown with former President John Mahama.
Addressing a fervent crowd at the University of Professional Studies in Accra, Bawumia expressed his readiness to take the helm, emphasizing his commitment to leveraging technology, data, and robust systems to foster inclusive economic growth.
Whoever emerges victorious faces a daunting task, given Ghana's ongoing economic turmoil stemming from the aftermath of COVID-19 and geopolitical tensions. Bawumia pledged to shore up fiscal discipline to tackle the budget deficit and interest rates, aiming to align national spending more closely with revenue through strategic measures.
Ghana's recent reliance on a $3 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund underscores the severity of its financial challenges, exacerbated by global crises such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
However, Bawumia's bid for the presidency is not without hurdles. As the face of economic policy under President Nana Akufo-Addo's tenure, his leadership credentials have come under scrutiny amid mounting economic woes.
Bright Simons, a vice president at Accra-based think tank IMANI Africa, cautioned that Bawumia's past reputation as an economic guru might not suffice to overcome the current economic turbulence.
Despite the NPP's historical advantage in Ghanaian politics, with ruling parties typically favored in presidential races, the prospect of securing a third consecutive term remains uncertain. Criticisms from disillusioned citizens like 22-year-old student Harrison Abdulai underscore the prevailing dissatisfaction with the status quo, particularly regarding economic hardship.
Bawumia's candidacy marks a significant milestone as the first Muslim to lead a major party in Ghana since 1992, as well as breaking barriers as a non-Akan-speaking leader of the NPP.