Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, Sammi Awuku, has described Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as the most prominent political figure in Ghana after former President John Dramani Mahama.
Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Awuku said Ghanaian voters who have participated in elections from 2012 to 2024 are most familiar with the faces of Mahama and Dr. Bawumia on the ballot.
He explained that while Mahama contested the 2024 election for the fourth time, Dr. Bawumia appeared on the ballot for the first time following the exit of President Nana Akufo-Addo.
According to him, constitutional restrictions will prevent Mahama from contesting the 2028 elections, positioning Dr. Bawumia as the most recognizable political figure going forward.
“Any Ghanaian who has voted in 2012, 2016, 2020, and 2024 will remember significant changes in the political landscape. In 2024, Mahama was running for the fourth time, while Bawumia was on the ballot for the first time. After Kufuor’s departure, the most popular politician from the NPP was Akufo-Addo. However, Akufo-Addo exited the ballot in 2024, making Mahama the most recognizable face for voters,” he said.
“By 2028, constitutional limits mean Mahama will not be able to compete. The challenge for an opposition party in terms of marketing is that their visibility is often restricted. When voters return to the polls, the most familiar name on the ballot after Mahama is likely to be Bawumia,” Awuku added.
He also rejected claims that Dr. Bawumia was a weak candidate, noting that his 2024 candidature helped the NPP improve its performance in Zongo communities, increasing its vote share from 30 per cent in 2020 to 40 per cent.
“Therefore, if someone claims that Bawumia wasn’t a strong candidate, I would question what more he could have done. In 2024, Bawumia’s candidacy garnered 40% of total Zongo votes, a notable increase from the 30% he received in 2020. I believe that Bawumia effectively connects the party to its base,” he stated.
