2024 Election: Bawumia Campaigning Like An Opposition Leader While His Opponent Remains ‘Missing In Action’
Dr. Bawumia and his Team during a Visit to the Ya Na at the Gbewaa Palace
As Ghana inches closer to the 2024 elections, the political landscape is a study in wide contrasts. The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), led by Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, is energetically navigating the campaign trail, while the main opposition, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), appears to be struggling to present a coherent alternative.
The NDC has yet to articulate substantial policy alternatives to counter the NPP’s strategies, which they have repeatedly criticized as detrimental to the economy. Notably, the NDC’s flagship proposal, the “24-hour economy,” remains nebulous even to their own members. The party’s flagbearer, former President John Dramani Mahama, who is seeking re-election to complete a constitutionally mandated four-year term, has been conspicuously absent from the political fray for several weeks now. His prolonged absence is especially notable given that Vice President Bawumia is campaigning with the vigor of an opposition candidate rather than an incumbent.
Adding to the NDC’s conundrum is the noticeable absence of Madam Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang from the campaign trail. Despite the initial enthusiasm surrounding her re-appointment as the NDC’s running mate, her presence has been more academic than political. Her impressive academic credentials, while laudable, have not translated into the political dynamism the party urgently needs.
Mahama and his running mate have been missing from the campaign trail
In stark contrast, the NPP is executing a well-orchestrated campaign strategy. Vice President Bawumia’s grassroots approach, including house-to-house campaigns, has drawn significant attention. This proactive engagement has positioned the NPP as the more visible and vigorous party, a curious reversal of roles where the incumbents are campaigning as if they are the underdogs.
Sammy Awuku, a prominent figure in the NPP campaign team, has confidently asserted that the NPP will secure a victory in the 2024 elections that the NDC “will never forget.” This bold claim is underpinned by the NPP’s aggressive and strategic campaign efforts, which starkly contrast with the NDC’s seemingly lackluster approach.
The NDC’s reliance on media appearances to propagate their message, often laden with accusations and half-truths, further underscores their current strategic shortcomings. This approach is unlikely to resonate with an electorate looking for tangible policy solutions and dynamic leadership.
As the election approaches, the NPP’s superior campaign strategy continues to gain traction, leaving the NDC in a precarious position. If the NDC is to mount a serious challenge, it will need to rally its leadership, clarify its policy proposals, and match the NPP’s campaign intensity. Otherwise, the prediction by Awuku may well come to pass, marking a significant and memorable defeat for the NDC.