Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the newly elected flagbearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), has expressed his endless gratitude to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for launching his journey of possibilities and his pivotal role in shaping his political career.
Bawumia, who served as Akufo-Addo’s running mate in 2008, reminisced about the challenges he faced in convincing the nation of the inclusive and national character of the NPP.
“I thank you, Mr. President, for believing in me,” Dr. Bawumia stated, acknowledging President Akufo-Addo’s unwavering confidence in him over the years.
Delivering his acceptance speech at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday, October 4, after his official declaration as the NPP’s flagbearer, Bawumia emphasized his dedication to serving Ghana to the best of his ability.
He stressed the difficulties he encountered in dispelling misconceptions surrounding the party’s inclusivity, especially in communities influenced by propaganda against the NPP.
According to him, his journey, which began in 2008, saw him tirelessly working to bridge the gap between the party and regions where the NPP was historically viewed with suspicion.
He recalled the challenges faced during the 2020 elections and celebrated the significant progress the party made in the north, Zongo communities, and the Volta Region.
Reflecting on his decision to run for the presidency, Dr. Bawumia emphasized the values of the NPP, including rewarding hard work and dedication.
He dismissed skeptics and affirmed his belief in the party’s potential to elect a candidate from the northern part of the country.
“The doubts regarding the inclusive character of the NPP dominated the discussion when I took the bold decision on the 16th of June this year to file my nomination papers at the NPP headquarters to contest to be elected as the presidential candidate of the party,” Dr. Bawumia stated, addressing the misconceptions some analysts had about his candidacy and stressed that it is possible.
The NPP, he said, rewards people capable of governing and those who present traits of integrity, incorruptibility, and hard work.
According to him, this resounding victory of a boy born in Tamale in the Northern region to lead the largest political party in Ghana sends a message that the NPP has a place for all the men and women scattered in the Zongos across all 16 regions.
“I say to you that in the NPP it is possible to rise to the top. I invite you to join us in this journey of possibilities,” he stated.
Vice President Bawumia also extended a hand of friendship to the people of the Volta who have historically voted for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to join him and vote for NPP in 2024.
He assured all the regions he will not take the confidence they have reposed in him for granted and stressed that their support is a reflection of the diversity of the harmonious nature of the NPP.