The former General Secretary of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) Nana Yaa Jantuah, has criticized Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia following his engagement with the media.

Madam Jantuah remarked that Dr. Bawumia’s rhetoric and delivery seemed more akin to that of an economics professor or a teacher rather than a leader addressing the pressing issues of the day.

“When I listened to him, I see more of an economics professor or a teacher than somebody who wants to rule a nation.”
Nana Yaa Jantuah former General Secretary of the Convention People’s Party (CPP)

According to Nana Jantuah, this perception raises concerns about Dr. Bawumia’s ability to connect with the common Ghanaian and address the core needs of the populace. Madam Jantuah emphasized her belief that Dr. Bawumia’s focus on digitalization reflects a disconnection from the realities of everyday life for most Ghanaians. She asserted that the things he talks about do not impact her daily life or the fundamental needs of the average Ghanaian.

“The things he talks about, do not affect my daily life, as [in] the food that I will eat, where I will sleep, and what I will wear.”
Nana Yaa Jantuah former General Secretary of the Convention People’s Party (CPP)

According to Jantuah, these are the basic principles of existence, and Dr. Bawumia rarely touches on these vital topics in his speeches. Madam Jantuah elaborated on her thoughts about digitalization noting that it is an issue that primarily concerns people who have already secured their basic needs.

“Digitalization is meant for people who have established these three principles, it is an addendum to life.”
Nana Yaa Jantuah former General Secretary of the Convention People’s Party (CPP)

Madam Jantuah pointed out that digitalization should not be the primary focus when the majority of Ghanaians are struggling to meet basic needs like food, shelter, and clothing. Instead, she argued, the government should be addressing these essential concerns first. Jantuah further critiqued Dr. Bawumia’s handling of the country’s economic challenges, pointing out his tendency to focus on digitalization even in times of crisis.

“At the end of the day of his failures, he says digitalization and he’s always trying to detach himself from the issues that we are in, the problem that we faced.”
Nana Yaa Jantuah former General Secretary of the Convention People’s Party (CPP)

Madam Jantuah revealed that Dr. Bawumia acknowledged Ghana’s crisis, including the possibility that the country could have ended up like Sri Lanka at one point.

“I was happy that he agreed that there was a crisis at a point because then it means that every government has that kind of crisis.”
Nana Yaa Jantuah former General Secretary of the Convention People’s Party (CPP)

This recognition of the crisis, in her view, should have been accepted earlier and could have led to a more grounded approach to addressing the country’s economic issues. Reflecting on the broader implications of crisis management in government, Jantuah noted that acknowledging crises is essential.

“Whatever crisis there is, it means that you sitting on the bench who has never been there before should understand that there’s a possibility of a crisis. It can come in different forms as a life crisis. But then you have to acknowledge it.”
Nana Yaa Jantuah former General Secretary of the Convention People’s Party (CPP)

Madam Jantuah emphasized that recognizing the challenges that Ghana has faced could have paved the way for more effective crisis management and solutions. Madam Jantuah also addressed a long-standing criticism within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) regarding the concept of a “honeymoon period” for new administrations. Madam Jantuah argued that the concept of a honeymoon period was often misunderstood and misapplied.

Madam Jantuah clarified that when then-President John Dramani Mahama asked for time, he was specifically referring to the trade unions and their demands for salary increases.

The request was not for a general delay in addressing national issues but rather a specific appeal to the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to allow time for resetting the economy before meeting their salary expectations. Madam Jantuah highlighted that this appeal was a pragmatic approach by Mahama to allow him to focus on stabilizing the economy before addressing the needs of the unions.

“He was referring to the trade union, not [the] generality of the work that he was coming to do. when I come, please give me time to reset the economy so that I can meet your needs.”
Nana Yaa Jantuah former General Secretary of the Convention People’s Party (CPP)

This nuanced understanding of Mahama’s request for time underscores the importance of giving leaders the space to address complex economic challenges before rushing to fulfill all demands. Madam Jantuah also pointed out that the misinterpretation of Mahama’s “honeymoon” request has been perpetuated over time. “We keep saying it oh… he said the TUC gives me time when it comes to your salaries.”

Madam Jantuah reiterated that Mahama’s appeal was directed at the TUC concerning salaries and emoluments, not a blanket request for a delay in addressing the country’s broader challenges. By clarifying this madam Jantuah sought to dispel misconceptions about Mahama’s approach during his tenure as president.

Madam Jantuah’s analysis of Dr. Bawumia’s recent speech highlights the disconnect she perceives between his rhetoric and the pressing needs of the average Ghanaian.

Civil Society Organizations and SML Deal

Meanwhile, CSO’s sued the government over the SML deal and they want to get back over 1bilion Ghana Cedis.

Moreover, madam Jantuah expressed strong reservations about the timing and effectiveness of the actions taken by civil society organizations (CSOs) regarding the SML deal and the lawsuit against the government.

Madam Jantuah questioned the decision to initiate legal action just three months before the next elections after the country had been embroiled in numerous scandals over the past seven to eight years. According to Madam Jantuah, the delay in addressing these issues reflects poorly on the CSOs and raises concerns about their role as watchdogs of government accountability.

Madam Jantuah argued that On the issue of KPMG, despite the urgency of the matter, no significant action was taken until it was late.

“…August where we are in September. It’s about 1 week to September. The court is even on recess, So when is it going to start?”
Nana Yaa Jantuah former General Secretary of the Convention People’s Party (CPP)

This reflects her skepticism about the timing of the court proceedings, which she felt would be further delayed by the court’s recess and the onset of intense political campaigning. Madam Jantuah emphasized that the CSOs had ample opportunities to address the matter earlier, instead of waiting until the eleventh hour.

Madam Jantuah also expressed frustration that investigations were not necessary to reveal what was already happening with the SML deal, implying that there had been clear signs of irregularities for some time.

Moreover, madam Jantuah criticized the selective focus of the CSOs, questioning why other significant scandals, such as the Cathedral project the ambulance scandal, and procurement issues at various institutions, were not being addressed with the same urgency. “Why are they picking only SML?” pointing to the broader range of issues that deserved attention.

Despite acknowledging the CSOs’ role as watchdogs, madam Jantuah was unimpressed with the timing of their actions. According to Madam Jantuah, there was not an acceptable excuse as the CSOs had failed to act when it mattered most. Madam Jantuah expressed disappointment in the CSOs for their delayed response to the SML deal and other critical issues.

Madam Jantuah believes that their failure to act promptly allowed the government to operate without accountability for too long, ultimately undermining their role as protectors of public interest.