Former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, after submitting his nomination forms to contest in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential primaries for the 2028 election, delivered what is being termed an impassioned speech.

Addressing the party’s faithful who trooped to the NPP Headquarters, where the nomination was filed, the former vice president captivated the audience with moving remarks as he sought to distinguish himself from the other contenders in the NPP race.

In his speech, Dr Bawumia, who served as Vice President under former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and was the NPP presidential candidate in the 2024 general election, made a strong call for the party’s delegates to make him their flagbearer come January 31, 2026, when the presidential primary will be held.

The speech was also full of subtle jabs at his contenders in the flagbearership race.

What Bawumia subtly said about his contenders in NPP's presidential race

He neither spared the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), as he threw political salvos at the party over some of its policies.

Jab at contenders

In his opening remarks, Dr Bawumia took a subtle jab at his contenders in the flagbearership race.

He asserted that any decision other than electing him as flagbearer of the NPP at the party’s presidential primary slated for January 31, 2026, would widen the gap between the rich and the poor in the party.

“This election is an election not only for a flagbearer of our party but an election for the soul of this party.

“The choice we make on January 31 will determine whether or not this party will hold on to the values that make us great or become a new party focused on deepening the chasm between the rich and the poor,” he said.

He also said that he demonstrates his “strength by getting results, not by making noise or by insults or bragging about money.”

Sacrifices he has made

Dr Bawumia went on to list the sacrifices he has made for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), saying this commitment has been the underlying reason for various sacrifices over the years.

“All my life, this country and this party have given me so much. I feel an overwhelming sense of duty to give back. That is why I didn’t hesitate to leave my job at the BoG to assist the NPP’s quest for power in 2008. And indeed, I lost that gamble. That is why I did not hesitate to leave my job at the African Development Bank to help the NPP in 2012.

“That is why I didn’t hesitate to take the box at the Supreme Court as the star witness in 2013, to fight for the NPP. That is why I have never hesitated to defend this party even at the risk of mockery by our opponents. That is why I did not hesitate to concede the 2024 elections to preserve the nation’s peace,” he stated.

The best Vice President in Ghana’s history

Bawumia also touted his credentials, citing his performance as Vice President of Ghana during the 8 years of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo's presidency.

He said that he gained the accolade of the ‘most effective Vice President’ because of the transformational policies he spearheaded, including the Bank of Ghana’s Gold Purchase Programme, Gold for Oil, accelerated issuance of the Ghana Card, Mobile Money Interoperability (first in Africa), GhanaPost Digital Property Address System (first in Africa) and Agenda 111.

“The implementation of these practical policy initiatives has resulted in many people saying that I have been the most effective Vice President in Ghana’s history. This implies that, given the opportunity, I can equally become one of the most effective Presidents Ghana will have. I demonstrate my strength by getting results, not by making noise or by insults or bragging about money,” he said.

Why Bawumia has offered himself to be NPP 2028 flagbearer

The most prepared person to be President of Ghana

Dr Bawumia also stated that he was the best person to lead the NPP into the 2028 presidential election because he is currently the most prepared person to lead the party.

"I am offering myself to be elected as flagbearer because I believe I owe a duty to this party to give her a choice to put forward the most prepared candidate for the 2028 election and the most prepared person to be President in Jan 2029.

"In the last 16 years, I have had the privilege of joining each and every constituency at least five times, to work hard on the ground, campaign and work for the NPP. Just like the thousands of you who may not have had all the money in the world to throw at the party, all my sweat, my reputation, my knowledge and my person have been dedicated to working with you for the success of this party. As a result of this, there is no village or hamlet, no city or town where Mahamudu Bawumia’s face and name are not known," he said.

Jab at NDC

Dr Bawumia also criticised the National Democratic Congress (NDC), saying that the ruling party has clearly shown that it is not committed to keeping its promises made to Ghanaians.

“We lost the 2024 elections after introducing many good programmes. Unfortunately, due mostly to the economic pain that many of our citizens felt, the NDC managed to convince them with lofty promises to stay away or vote against us. We have learnt lessons. I assure you that these lessons will be put to good use when we return to office.

“However, it is already becoming evident that the NDC does not intend to fulfil the lofty promises they made to Ghanaians in their quest for power. The promise to pay cocoa farmers at least 6,000 Ghana cedis is one they don’t intend to keep. The promise to institute a state of emergency and repeal LI 2462 to fight galamsey is one they do not intend to keep. The set-up of the Gold Board to execute the gold purchase programme is unravelling as miners are reluctant to sell their gold due to the unattractive prices offered,” he added.

He added that the NDC, among other things, has failed to keep promises such as the protection of free speech and the promotion of a 24-Hour Economy.

“Remittances have reduced by 50% as a result of the misalignment in the exchange rates across the different forex markets. The promise to allow free expression is one they do not intend to keep. They promised to triple jobs and create new ones through a 24-Hour Economy but it is evident that it was just a political gimmick,” he said.

Attacks from NDC and NPP

The presidential hopeful decried the incessant attacks on him by members of his party and the ruling NDC.

For the NPP, he said, some members were targeting him, but urged supporters of the party to focus their attention rather on the NDC, than on him.

"For the candidates contesting the flagbearership, I ask: won’t Ghana and the NPP be better off if, instead of targeting Bawumia, you focus on holding the government accountable to demonstrate your ability to lead the NPP in challenging the NDC?" he posed.

Watch videos from the event below:







BAI/AE