The launch of Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia as flagbearer for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has ignited a barrage of conversations among Ghanaians.
As the “Driver’s Mate” as he put it during his speech, Dr. Bawumia says he was not directly responsible for the policies of this current administration as all the powers in terms of policy formulation and implementation have been in the hands of the President, Nana Akufo Addo in the past seven years of their tenure.
He has been criticised by the opposition, National Democratic Congress (NDC) But his party folks like the majority chief whip Annoh Dompreh and Chairman Odeneho kwaku Appiah (COKA) have defended his claims.
Odeneho Kwaku Appiah (COKA), the former constituency chairman of Afigya Kwabre South says Dr. Bawumia is just but a driver’s mate, he has not been licensed to drive. “The mate helps the driver who has been licensed by law to drive. His day-to-day activities that are collecting money, washing the car and where there is shortage of fuel in the car, the mate will run to the fuel station to buy it.”
“Indeed, the article 58 (1) of the country’s constitution says that the executive authority of Ghana shall vest in the president. Which means that we run an executive presidency of which the vice President do not have decision making powers.”
He made this pronouncement as a guest on the “Ghana Kasa” show aired on Boss FM in Kumasi.
He reiterated Dr. Bawumia’s claim of not having a direct hand in the ruling of the nation citing that “when a mate tells his driver that today, let’s go to Tafo, the driver can say no, we are going to Asawase because he is at the driver’s seat and he is the sole maker of all decisions regarding the movement of the car.”
He explained that Dr. Bawumia being the driver’s mate does what his driver will tell him to do, because at the end of the day when there is a problem with the car. It is the driver who will be held responsible not the mate.
The mate will only be held responsible when he assumes the position of the driver. “When the driver’s license or insurance on the car expires, it is the responsibility of the driver to see to its renewal. If he does not and Ghana policeman stops the car it will be the driver who will be charged and not the mate,” he said.
According to him ” His Excellency the Vice President has not been President before; he is now about to.
“So, we beg Ghanaians let us vote for him this year, 2024, and give him the mandate to serve.”
Dr. Bawumia that evening outlined to Ghanaians his vision when voted as President which some were outlier to the vision of his boss the President. According to his vision, many of the taxes which were brought about by the President, Nana Akufo Addo will be scrapped. Including the controversial e-levy, the betting tax, emissions tax and many others.
“As Vice President, I have served as a driver’s mate. Vote for me as President to take the driver’s seat”. – Dr. Bawumia said.