We are taking another look at the political dance floor! Let’s waltz through the résumés of our two contenders, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, aka Walewale Adam Smith, and John Dramani Mahama, aka Mr. Dead-Goat, as they vie for the spotlight in Asomdwekrom’s grand ballroom of governance.
Armed with degrees from prestigious universities, Bawumia is like a seasoned dancer who has mastered every step. His PhD in Economics from Simon Fraser University is a twirl of expertise. And his Chartered Institute of Bankers Diploma, an epitome of financial finesse. Areas of expertise include Macroeconomics, International Economics, and Development Economics. It sounds like the playlist for a high-stakes tango. And don’t forget his digitalisation moves! Bawumia’s got the whole country doing the “Mobile Money/Bank Interoperability Shuffle.”
From lecturing in Monetary Economics to strutting his stuff at the IMF, Bawumia’s résumé reads like a choreography of economic prowess. And that stint as Deputy Governor of the Bank of Asomdwekrom was a flawless ‘pas de deux’ with monetary policy.
The “Asomdwekrom Card dream,” where he turned a simple ID card into a national anthem. The “Medical Drone Waltz,” delivering healthcare like a symphony in the sky. And who can forget the “Agenda 111 Tango”? Hospitals popping up faster than mango trees.
Bawumia’s tenure as Vice President witnessed significant economic reforms. His team implemented policies to stabilise the currency, reduce inflation, and promote fiscal discipline. His “STEM Salsa” emphasised Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics education, preparing the youth for a digital future. His “Financial Literacy Foxtrot” encouraged citizens to understand banking services, promoting financial inclusion. The “Zongo Development Swing,” which targeted marginalized communities and providing resources for economic empowerment cannot be forgotten.
His “Youth Empowerment Breakdance” encouraged entrepreneurship, skills development, and job creation. Bawumia’s “Tech Innovation Twist” inspired young innovators, turning Asomdwekrom into a tech-savvy nation.
In this grand political ballroom, Bawumia’s résumé is a symphony of leadership, blending economic finesse, social progress, and global harmony.
And to Mr. Dead-Goat. His education is a mixtape of history, social psychology, and communications. Picture him as the DJ spinning tunes at a school dance. He is eclectic, but does it make him a genius?
Well, it’s a mystery. Mr. Dead-Goat’s dance moves seem improvised, sometimes a Salsa, other times Azonto But hey, he did lead the “Airbus Aircraft Waltz”! Maybe, he is a politician by day, and an aviation consultant by night!
He was a History teacher, embassy officer, and NGO manager. Mr. Dead-Goat’s career resembles a fusion dance. Imagine him at a diplomatic soirée, sipping tea and discussing geopolitics. He was an assemblyman, a Member of Parliament, deputy minister, minister, vice president, and president – a feat no politician in this country can boast of.
His vice presidential anthem is, “I bought planes for the Air Force.” A very catchy tune, if you asked me. But let’s just say it was a transaction that he and his family benefitted at the expense of Asomdwekrom.
Ah, the Ford Explorer fiasco also comes to mind. It is a tale of intrigue, power, and a shiny SUV. Mr. Dead-Goat in 2012, then Vice President of Asomdwekrom, finds himself in the crosshairs of controversy. Enter Djibril Freres Kanazoe, a Burkinabè contractor with a penchant for lavish gifts. His weapon of choice was a Ford Expedition, valued at a cool $100,000. But this wasn’t just any car; it was a vehicular Trojan Horse, concealing a web of conflict of interest.
Kanazoe, hungry for road contracts, cozied up to Mr. Dead-Goat. The SUV, a gleaming token of goodwill, arrived like a diplomatic missile. Critics cried foul, pointing to the contractor’s lucrative deal post-gift. Was it a bribe, a backdoor handshake, or a vehicular whisper in the corridors of power?
The then government, of course, denied everything. But the damage was done. Come 2016, Mr. Dead-Goat faced the electorate, haunted by the ghost of the Ford Expedition. The ballot boxes whispered, “Remember the SUV!” And so, he fell. It is a cautionary tale etched into Asomdwekrom’s political annals. I hope there was a political lesson learned!
In this political waltz, both contenders bring their unique strengths and weaknesses to the dance floor. Asomdwekromanians must weigh experience, leadership, credibility, and policy credentials as they decide who will lead Asomdwekrom forward.
And now, dear voters, as the music swells and the spotlight narrows, who will lead Asomdwekrom’s dance of destiny? Bawumia, with his precision footwork? Or Mr. Dead-Goat, grooving to his own beat? Let the voting begin on December 7, and may the more talented dancer emerge victorious!