Author: Agbeko Leh || Political Activist
Former President John Agyekum Kufuor’s endorsement of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as the NPP’s flagbearer, coupled with his remark that “he prefers to be a cleaner in a ruling party than a chairman in an opposition party,” has stirred significant public discourse.
While every individual, including Mr. Kufuor, is entitled to their opinion, it is crucial to dissect the implications of such a stance. His statement suggests an unwavering commitment to seeing his party remain in power, even at the expense of addressing glaring issues of performance, integrity, and governance under Dr. Bawumia’s leadership.
Dr. Bawumia, as the head of the Economic Management Team, has presided over an era of economic instability marked by spiraling inflation, a depreciating cedi, and a reliance on IMF bailouts despite earlier promises to avoid such measures.
His credibility has been further undermined by contradictory actions, such as setting high tax targets for the Ghana Revenue Authority while publicly accusing the institution of overburdening Ghanaians. This duplicity raises serious concerns about his consistency and integrity.
Moreover, Dr. Bawumia’s record is littered with unfulfilled promises. The “One Village, One Dam” initiative has largely failed, with many of the projects left incomplete or poorly constructed.
The much-celebrated “One District, One Factory” program remains far from its ambitious goals. Such unaccomplished promises highlight a leadership style focused more on rhetoric than results, casting doubt on Dr. Bawumia’s capacity to lead Ghana effectively.
Former President Kufuor’s silence on critical national issues further clouds his endorsement. Where was his voice when galamsey and community mining devastated Ghana’s water bodies, forests, and livelihoods?
Under the leadership of Nana Akufo-Addo and Dr. Bawumia, these activities were allegedly facilitated for political and personal gain, causing environmental destruction and endangering millions of lives.
Mr. Kufuor’s tacit approval of this legacy shows his party’s interests outweigh the long-term well-being of Ghanaians.
It is important to emphasize that no one should insult Mr. Kufuor for expressing his opinion. He has every right to do so.
However, Ghanaians must critically evaluate the context of his endorsement and recognize where his priorities lie.
Mr. Kufuor’s allegiance to his party, even in the face of leadership failure, signals that the NPP’s hold on power matters more to him than the nation’s progress.
Ghanaians must prioritize the country’s welfare over partisan loyalty. Let us not be swayed by endorsements rooted in political expediency.
Leadership should be about competence and integrity, not blind allegiance to party survival.
