Samira Bawumia
President John Mahama and Samira Bawumia, wife of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, New Patriotic Party (NPP) vice presidential candidate, have clashed over the issue of provision of water for Bole and other parts of the Northern Region.
The president had been ruffled by comments made by Samira on a political platform that residents of the president’s hometown in the Gonjaland share water with animals whereas the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) leader is on profligate spending on political campaign.
Following Samira’s query of the performance of President Mahama in the area of water provision, particularly in the northern parts of the country, the president fired back with the charge that the lady lacks the technical knowledge of the subject, virtually asking her to shut up.
The wife of Dr. Bawumia appears to have hurt the president when she stated that people in his hometown, specifically Damongo, are still sharing their only source of water with animals, while he was busily erecting expensive billboards for votes.
She said the country is in dire need of a leader who is going to move Ghana forward- a competent and incorruptible leader.
“This election is about the youth, the women of Ghana. We have to rise; it is time to rise for change. I am inspired by Nana Addo’s integrity, honesty, incorruptibility and tenacity.”
But President Mahama, while addressing party supporters at Kyebi in the Eastern Region last Thursday, said he does not blame Samira because she lacks the technical expertise when it comes to water provision to the rural areas.
“You [Samira] don’t understand the technical reasons why the people are still without pipe borne water; you can’t think far,” he scoffed.
His reaction appeared to have touched on Samira’s gender somewhat, attracting a quick response in a statement she made almost immediately.
Fires Back
“Okay Sir! Please be informed that yes, a woman can be intelligent. Yes, a woman can be discerning. Yes, a woman can be compassionate. And, yes, a woman can be patriotic.
“I take the privilege of serving the people of our country very seriously. Therefore, I will not relent in my modest efforts to champion the cause of the under-privileged, poor and needy in society.
“That is why I’m fervently campaigning for a leader who appreciates and possesses integrity, competence, honesty, compassion, selflessness and good judgment,” she said.
Continuing, she indicated, “I may not understand the technicalities involved in denying communities a basic and necessary amenity like water. But, I understand the power of conviction, competence and compassion to get things done.
“The Yagbonwura (Overlord of Gonjalan) has also complained about the lack of potable water for his people. Surely, we cannot begin to suggest that he too ‘can’t think far!
“Let us respect the contributions of women to the development of our dear nation. It is dignifying.”
Following the seeming fracas between the duo, Alhaji Issifu Sulemana (Ori), NDC parliamentary candidate for Bole-Bamboi, is said to have entered the fray, indicating that the water situation in the region requires “serious attention,” confirming the water crisis Samira spoke about.
He is reported to have said, “The water situation needs serious attention. I was on PAD FM last night and almost all the callers spoke about the need for water.”
According to him, it’s difficult to get water from boreholes.
“But we will surely work together to resolve this issue…As I speak we have two rigs in Bole drilling 40 boreholes for some communities. Same can be replicated in Damongo as we wait to tap water from the Black Volta.”
By Jeffrey Johnson & Daniel Bampoe