Evron Rothschild Hughes, a presidential staffer and economic adviser to Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has asserted that John Mahama is not the right choice to address the challenges facing Ghanaians, both as individuals and as a nation.
He noted while there are numerous reasons for this stance, one key issue is Mahama’s lack of personal integrity.
Hughes emphasized that this fundamental flaw disqualifies the NDC flagbearer from offering effective solutions to the country’s problems.
“He has been personally involved in no less than four public, including international, corruption scandals, from the Airbus and Embraer procurement scandals (he seems to have a fondness for aircraft-related corrupt deals), through to the Ford Explorer bribe from a contractor, and, an $18 Million bribe from an Oil and Gas Services deal with a South African.
“It is important to note that the Airbus scandal involved three separate jurisdictions – the United States, the United Kingdom, and France – in what was described as ‘the largest corruption enforcement action in history’”.
Evron Rothschild Hughes
Hughes went on to highlight the “Papano Affair,” a scandal involving two young Ghanaian women who publicly fought over which of them was John Mahama’s favored mistress.
He argued that if this story holds any truth, it further exposes Mahama’s lack of personal integrity.
Hughes contended that, in addition to his other deficiencies, this scandal paints a troubling picture of a man unfit for leadership.
He emphasized that Mahama’s track record and character make him an unsuitable candidate to return to the office from which he was not only dismissed but also rejected by the electorate on two separate occasions.
Bawumia Praised as Champion of Ghana’s Digital Future
In contrast, Evron Rothschild Hughes praised Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for his forward-thinking approach and leadership.
He described Bawumia as Ghana’s foremost advocate for digital transformation, highlighting his role as a driving force behind the country’s Digital Ghana agenda.
Recently recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential Africans of 2022 by New African magazine, Bawumia’s efforts in advancing technology and innovation have positioned him as a key figure in shaping Ghana’s future.
Hughes underscored that Bawumia’s vision and accomplishments set him apart as a leader focused on progress and modernization.
“Under his leadership, Ghana has registered over 18 million people for the GhanaCard, implemented a Mobile Money Payments Interoperability System (MMPIS) which has made it possible for Ghanaians to move money seamlessly across and between mobile money wallets and bank accounts, a global first, among a dizzying number of other digital initiatives.
“[This includes] a first-of-a-kind National Electronic Pharmacy Platform (e-Pharmacy); an E-Travel Card to control, track, and ensure the retirement of travel expenses by public officials; a platform for the National Health Insurance Authority to enable direct registration and renewal to the scheme; a single point of access to, and payment for public services (Ghana.Gov); digitization of the acquisition of passports; and an e-Justice system for filing online court processes, case tracking, and case distribution among judges”.
Evron Rothschild Hughes
Hughes further noted that Ghanaians have previously described Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as “a man on a mission” — someone committed not only to using new technologies to address long-standing issues but also to tapping into the vast potential of a digital workforce.
According to him, Bawumia is seen as focused on advancing robotics, engineering, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, as well as promoting digital manufacturing, STEM, and TVET skills.
These efforts, Hughes emphasized, are crucial for building a dynamic, youthful, industrious, and entrepreneurial population.
He asserted that this vision makes Bawumia a far better candidate for the country’s future than his main competitor, John Mahama, whose track record is less aligned with such forward-looking initiatives. “Mahama represents the opposite”.
The NPP stalwart stressed that Mahama is the one who, despite all the evidence to the contrary, insists that “digital transformation” has no connection to economic progress and development. “A ‘Yesterday’s Man’”.
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