Axim: Former Vice President and New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, emphasized that the founding ideals of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) should serve as a pivotal guide for Ghana's democracy, advocating for freedom without fear or persecution for all citizens.
According to Ghana Web, in a speech read on his behalf in Axim on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, to commemorate the formation of the UGCC, Dr Bawumia highlighted that the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition is rooted not just in slogans, but in principles designed to shape the governance of Ghana. He stated, 'Through Danquah, Busia, Dombo, and those who stood with them, that tradition came to represent certain firm ideas: respect for the individual, government under law, democratic accountability, private enterprise, social responsibility, and a Ghana held together by equal citizenship.'
Dr Bawumia stressed the need for these values to transcend being mere ideals on paper, asserting, 'These values were never meant to be framed and hung on a wall. They were meant to guide public choices.' He expanded on the UGCC's understanding of freedom, noting, 'Freedom, for example, is not only the freedom to vote. It is the freedom to speak without fear, to worship according to one's conscience, to build a lawful business, and to expect fair treatment from the state.'
Addressing justice, Dr Bawumia articulated that the rule of law must be practical and equitable, saying, 'The rule of law is not a phrase for lawyers. It is the assurance that a poor person and a powerful person will be subject to the same law.' He also reaffirmed his commitment to enterprise, clarifying that it does not equate to ignoring the challenges faced by ordinary people. 'Enterprise is not indifference to hardship. It is the belief that when people are given opportunity, skills, and a fair system, they can create prosperity for themselves and for others,' he stated.
Dr Bawumia concluded by noting the timelessness of these ideas, emphasizing their credibility depends on practical implementation. 'Those ideas remain relevant. But if we want Ghanaians to believe that they still define us, they must be visible in the way we behave, the way we organize, and the solutions we offer,' he added.
The address in Axim was part of activities marking UGCC Founding Day, which the NPP uses to reflect on the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition and its relevance to modern Ghana. Dr Bawumia's message underscored that for democracy to deliver real freedom, respect for individual rights, equal justice, and economic opportunity must be evident in the daily conduct of leaders and institutions.