Accra: Kwesi Botchway Jnr, a private legal practitioner, has made a compelling case for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to lead the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2028 general elections, arguing that he is the most qualified and capable candidate. In a detailed statement directed at NPP delegates and stakeholders, Botchway emphasized that the party should not blame its 2024 electoral loss solely on Dr. Bawumia, highlighting that political defeats are common historical occurrences.
According to Ghana Web, Botchway condemned the use of offensive language and personal attacks against Dr. Bawumia and his family. He referenced multiple reports that identified structural, governance, and campaign-related issues as the true causes of the 2024 defeat, dismissing claims that Dr. Bawumia's northern origin and Muslim faith were factors.
Botchway pointed out that in constituencies where some claimed Dr. Bawumia was disadvantaged, he still outperformed Christian parliamentary candidates, contradicting assertions that his ethnic and religious background undermined his appeal. None of the major inquiries, both local and international, supported these claims.
Botchway further contextualized the 2024 defeat by noting external influences like the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, which, along with domestic economic challenges, were primary drivers of electoral outcomes. He emphasized systemic issues like high inflation and unemployment that affected the government, indicating that no candidate could have entirely reversed these trends.
He also highlighted internal party issues such as late primaries and monetization of elections as contributors to the loss. Botchway advocated for Dr. Bawumia's leadership, citing his extensive experience as Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Country Director at the African Development Bank, and Vice President.
Botchway underscored Dr. Bawumia's innovations, such as the digital address system and mobile money interoperability, and his role in economic stabilization. He reminded delegates of Ghana's history of rewarding political consistency and argued that Dr. Bawumia, having secured 42 percent of the vote in 2024, is best positioned to lead the NPP to victory in 2028.
He called for party unity and urged members to focus on issues instead of personal attacks. Botchway asserted that Dr. Bawumia embodies the vision, competence, and integrity needed to lead Ghana, urging delegates to support him based on his qualifications rather than ethnicity or religion.
In conclusion, Botchway entreated NPP delegates to keep faith with Dr. Bawumia, just as they have done with past leaders, reinforcing his argument that Dr. Bawumia is the best-prepared candidate for the 2028 elections.