“Bawumia Has Already Won” — Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu
By: Adwoa Nyarko Asiamah
Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, National Coordinator for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and former Majority Leader of Parliament, says the Vice President has already secured victory, citing his ideas, character, and resilience.
Speaking on Pure FM, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu stated that good governance begins with ideas and sound policies before they are translated into programmes and projects. He explained that Dr. Bawumia has consistently demonstrated this approach in government, particularly through the introduction of the interoperability system.
According to him, the interoperability initiative is a practical policy innovation that has improved financial inclusion and created employment opportunities, especially for mobile money vendors. He noted that even advanced countries, including the United States and others across the world, do not have a system as comprehensive as what has been implemented in Ghana.
He stressed that going forward, Ghana must be intentional about the kind of development it seeks and the policies it adopts to achieve national goals.
Touching on internal party matters, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu dismissed claims that Dr. Bawumia is a “visitor” to the New Patriotic Party, describing such assertions as unfounded and historically inaccurate. He said Dr. Bawumia possesses an impeccable character without blemish, which is the main reason for his unwavering support.
He noted that a person’s true character is often revealed when they are given power, and according to him, Dr. Bawumia has remained humble, respectful, and consistent throughout his tenure as Vice President. “He has always stood for unity,” he added.
Addressing claims that Dr. Bawumia’s religion or northern background contributed to the party’s loss in the last elections, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu strongly rejected the narrative. He described it as false and misleading, noting that some even claimed people from the north did not vote for Dr. Bawumia, which he said is not true.
He pointed out that in Dr. Bawumia’s home constituency of Walewale, the party recorded strong support, with the North East Region showing appreciation for him. He questioned why reduced votes in the Ashanti Region should be blamed on Dr. Bawumia, describing such arguments as unfair. “Those who do not know the history of the party are quick to jump to conclusions,” he said.
According to him, the loss of parliamentary seats was largely due to internal party challenges and not the personality or popularity of Dr. Bawumia. He dismissed claims that Bawumia is unpopular, stating that such assertions have no factual basis.
He emphasised that the most important task ahead is to unite the party and rally behind Dr. Bawumia. “He has endured all the storms,” he said, describing him as knowledgeable, focused, and unique among the other contenders.
Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu outlined several factors that contributed to the party’s electoral loss, including the impact of COVID-19, the Russia-Ukraine war, and other external shocks. He also acknowledged challenges in the management of the economy, explaining that the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme introduced by the Akufo-Addo government was a difficult but necessary decision to save the economy, even though about 800,000 people were affected.
He further cited the issue of illegal mining (galamsey), noting that the party lost support in almost all mining communities, with the exception of Obuasi.
In conclusion, he stressed that unity alone will not be enough, as the party must also win the confidence of floating voters. He cautioned party members to be mindful of how internal campaigns are conducted, warning that internal divisions could undermine their chances. He called on members to remain hopeful, united, and focused on bringing Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to power.
