In a desperate bid to counter the growing popularity of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Presidential Candidate of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), John Dramani Mahama, the 2024 Flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), has embarked on a frantic cross-regional campaign.
Mr. Mahama’s campaign has been mirroring Dr. Bawumia’s, with the former President trying to outdo his opponent at every turn.
After Dr. Bawumia’s successful tour of the five Northern Regions, Mr Mahama launched his campaign in Tamale, abandoning his initial plans to launch it in the Central Region.
NDC supporters were so disappointed with the holding of the campaign launch in Tamale as the town was not ready to host the event.
There were no billboards as well as banners announcing the event with the exception of little campaign posters of Parliamentary candidates while the presidential candidate’s posters equally were missing as if the whole event was organised in a rush.
When the Presidential Candidate of NPP, Dr. Bawumia, moved to the Eastern Region recently, former President John Mahama followed, embarking on a 4-day campaign tour in the Upper East Region.
Now, as Dr. Bawumia’s popularity continues to soar, Mr. Mahama has moved to the Volta Region in a desperate attempt to rally support.
In a statement on his Facebook page, the former President thanked the people of the Upper East Region for their warm reception and support.
However, his statement betrayed a sense of urgency and desperation.
Dr. Bawumia’s popularity has been on the rise since 2008, serving as Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, running mate to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and relected as Vice President in 2016.
He has also been credited with reintroducing the digitalization agenda.
On the other hand, former President Mahama has a long history in Ghanaian politics, serving as an Assembly Man, Member of Parliament, Deputy Minister of Communications, Minister of Communications, Vice President under President John Atta Mills, and President of Ghana from 2012 to 2016.
However, he lost his re-election bids in 2016 and 2020 to President Nana Akufo-Addo and has not given up even though he takes ex-gratia and other emoluments as as a former president.
– By Daniel Bampoe