Former president John Agyekum Kufuor has praised the presidential candidature of Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
In an interview aired on major TV networks in the country, Kufuor emphasized a myriad of reasons why Bawumia is the best pair of hands to take over from President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Kufuor was president between 2001 – 2009 and is famed to have given Ghana its first Muslim Vice President in the person of the late Alhaji Aliu Mahama.
Bawumia has since 2017 served as the second Muslim Vice President and he could rise to the high office of first Muslim president if elected in the December 2024 polls.
Iqra Today picks out five major reasons Kufuor has backed the Bawumia presidential bid.
Economic transformation
“Given the current global circumstances, I firmly believe that Ghana’s economy will experience significant improvement if Bawumia is elected as President. With divine guidance, he is capable of delivering on this promise, and I encourage you to support his candidacy,” he said.
“I have observed his remarkable abilities in economic enhancement during my tenure, as he was integral to the Bank of Ghana’s team under Governor Dr Paul Acquah, contributing to the revival of the currency,” he stated.
Move to empower chiefs
“If Dr. Bawumia says he will empower the Chiefs and involve them in governance, it shows he appreciates the value system of the country. As a servant leader, a politician must understand and leverage this value system to bring people on board and drive national progress,” the former president stressed.
Skills and youth empowerment
“This is the kind of leadership Ghana needs. Empowering the youth with digital skills will not only create jobs, but also position Ghana as a leader in technology across Africa,” Kufuor also lauded Bawumia’s railway development agenda, describing it as a game-changer for Ghana’s infrastructure.
Unifying leadership style and his ability to connect with Ghanaians
“I have observed his good conduct and unifying spirit. Dr. Bawumia is not only a leader of ideas, but one who fosters inclusivity and national cohesion,” he added.
In an interview last week with Accra-based Asempa FM, he spoke to the point more directly. “I have observed his good conduct. He is not divisive. Everyone knows he is a Muslim, but he has a great relationship with Christians. It is very important because, in this country, many try to use religion to create a wedge. He is also a northerner, but he gets along so well with everybody,” Kufuor added.
Record as deputy Bank of Ghana governor
The NPP patriarch also expressed strong confidence in Bawumia’s ability to revitalise Ghana’s economy pointing at his previous work as a deputy governor at the Bank of Ghana.
“I have observed his remarkable abilities in economic enhancement during my tenure, as he was integral to the Bank of Ghana’s team under Governor Dr. Paul Acquah, contributing to the revival of the currency,” Kufuor stated.
You can watch the full interview below: