In a spirited endorsement, Information Minister Fatimatu Abubakar has publicly backed Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) presidential candidate, citing his unblemished record as a central reason for her support.

Hon. Abubakar emphasized Dr. Bawumia’s integrity, contrasting it with the controversies that have dogged the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, John Dramani Mahama.

“A manifesto means nothing when the credibility of those presenting the manifesto is in question,” Hon. Abubakar remarked, underscoring her belief that the trustworthiness of a candidate is paramount in political leadership.

The information minister lauded Dr. Bawumia, who has served as vice-president since 2017 and previously held key roles at the Bank of Ghana (BoG), for his consistent adherence to ethical standards throughout his public service career.

According to Hon. Abubakar, Dr. Bawumia’s track record is one of the key reasons the NPP remains a strong contender in the upcoming election.

Hon. Abubakar was keen to highlight that Dr. Bawumia has never been implicated in any corruption scandal, a rarity in Ghanaian politics. This, she argued, sets him apart from many of his peers in the political arena.

The Information Minister went further, asserting that even the NPP’s fiercest critics have been unable to link Dr. Bawumia to corruption.

“Even our worst critics and opponents cannot put corruption and Dr. Bawumia in the same sentence. They have tested; they know it will not stick.”
Hon. Fatimatu Abubakar, Information Minister

In a pointed comparison, Hon. Abubakar drew attention to Mahama’s tenure as president, referencing several investigations and scandals that emerged during his time in office. She specifically mentioned the Ford bribery scandal and the Airbus SE corruption case, both of which have been sources of significant controversy in Ghana.

“I cannot make the same case for former president Mahama,” Hon. Abubakar stated bluntly.

“Airbus SE had to pay fines to the tune of over US$4 billion because of admissions and confessions of bribery that they had paid to some officials in several countries. Ghana was mentioned in there because bribes were paid to Ghanaian officials.”
Hon. Fatimatu Abubakar, Information Minister

Hon. Abubakar’s remarks aimed to contrast Mahama’s record with Bawumia’s, reinforcing her argument that Bawumia represents a cleaner and more credible option for the presidency.

Hon. Abubakar’s endorsement of Dr. Bawumia comes at a critical time as Ghana approaches its 2024 general elections, with both major political parties ramping up their campaigns. She made it clear that she considers Dr. Bawumia’s credibility to be beyond reproach, a significant factor in her decision to support his candidacy.

NDC’s Addo Defends Mahama, Challenges Corruption Allegations

Former President John Dramani Mahama, the NDC’s flagbearer

However, Nii Kpakpo Samoa Addo, a member of the NDC and fellow panellist quickly challenged Abubakar’s assertions. He noted that despite the allegations, Mahama has never been formally charged with any wrongdoing and criticized the NPP for what he described as attempts to tarnish Mahama’s reputation.

“When has this NPP government been able to take him to court on any indictment [or] any charge? Because I am yet to see any charge sheet,” Mr. Addo said, questioning the basis of the accusations against Mahama. He suggested that the NPP’s strategy was more about political maneuvering than about genuine concern for corruption.

Mr. Addo also defended Mahama by citing the outcomes of the investigations into the scandals mentioned by Abubakar.

“The Ford issue was investigated by CHRAJ; President Mahama was exonerated. The report is there,” he countered.

Mr. Addo also referenced the Airbus SE scandal, pointing out that the special prosecutor appointed by the NPP government, Kissi Agyebeng, had cleared Mahama of any wrongdoing in that case as well.

As the 2024 elections approach, the contrasting narratives between the two major political parties are becoming increasingly pronounced.

Hon. Abubakar’s endorsement of Dr. Bawumia and the subsequent debate with Mr. Addo highlighted the stakes involved in the upcoming vote, where issues of credibility and integrity will likely play a significant role in shaping the opinions of Ghanaian voters.