In an article whose purported aim was “not to recommend one for you, but rather to provide readers with an opportunity to be informed about the choices we have”, P. D. Orchill ended up presenting a skewed analysis in favor of Mr. Alan Kyeremanten who he compared to H. E. Dr. Bawumia.

This is not surprising at all and is very predictable especially from someone who is a self-acclaimed editor of the pro- Alan propaganda outlet called Alan news. What is surprising however in this is why he would not be bold enough to present cogent reasons in a truly academic fashion in support of Mr. Kyeremanten instead of employing this vague technique.

Despite the intellectual dishonesty employed by Mr. Orchill in his article being a sufficient refutation of his biased/skewed analysis, it is still necessary to repel some false and misconceived notions put forward by him in his article. He discussed 13 comparative areas but I will focus on those that are very relevant.

1. WHEN THEY JOINED THE NPP

Under this heading, P. D. Orchill makes a false and scandalous accusation against H. E. Dr. Bawumia. He claims Dr. Bawumia joined the NPP “with only the promise to make him Vice President in 2008.”

This is palpable falsehood and a very unfortunate assertion coming from someone who claims to be a party person. In fact, this false assertion is a hidden attack on the credibility of President Akufo-Addo since he is accused of having selected someone who had no prior commitments to the party save the offer given to him as a running mate.

And which political party or experienced leader like President Akufo-Addo would trust someone for such a high position as Vice President to an individual whose commitment to the success of the party is only based on inducement? This is unconscionable and I strongly urge Mr. Orchill to apologize to H. E. Dr. Bawumia, President Akufo-Addo and the entire party hierarchy for this grave insult.

Dr. Bawumia’s allegiance and unflinching support to the party prior to 2008 is something that has never been in dispute. He served President Kufour’s Government and supported the party in diverse ways.

This is not the first time persons claiming affiliation to Mr. Kyeremanten have openly disrespected H. E. Dr. Bawumia in this manner and some detailed replies to these assertions are contained in the article:
https://www.dailymailgh.com/re-we-have-a-tradition-alan-is-next/

Furthermore, his claim that Alan Kyeremanten is a founding member of the NPP is completely false per the constitution of the party.

2. THEIR AGENDA FOR GHANA

The author in a derogatory manner described Dr. Bawumia’s vision for Ghana as “delivering lectures on the economy” and “an agenda to use digitization as the engine of growth.” On the other hand, he described Alan’s vision which he sought to portray as superior as “using industrialization and trade to take Ghana to the next level” and “Jobs for the people, Cash for the people.”

Based on his own statements, everyone would agree that Dr. Bawumia deserves to be President first before Alan attempts because without Dr. Bawumia’s digitization as an engine of growth, Alan’s industrialization would not fully materialize.

Furthermore, it is clear he does not understand the impact Dr. Bawumia’s lectures on the economy had on our winning of the 2016 and 2020 elections. He should go back and review statements from NDC stalwarts who bemoaned the lack of someone from their fold to effectively counter the Economic lectures given by Dr. Bawumia and how that contributed to the NDC’s defeat.

3. RISING THROUGH THE RANKS

He claims “Alan has grown through the ranks in politics so he has capacity to shoulder the heavy burden of presidency and also to be able to lead the party well” whereas “Dr. Bawumia did not rise through the rank and file of politics but his work at the Bank of Ghana made him have adequate knowledge about the management of the economy”.

This assertion is very absurd. Which “rising through the ranks” puts one at a better position to effectively govern as President other than being Vice President for over 4 years? I believe this issue is very basic and probably a very potent ‘own goal’ against Mr Orchill.

4. SERVICE AT THE PARTY LEVEL

Here, Mr. Orchill claims Alan “has been on the National Executive Committee of the party so he knows how to manage the party and the government” whereas he and his likes “cannot be certain if Dr. Bawumia is capable at this point to lead the party and the government at the same time”. This assertion is completely untrue with respect to Alan Kyeremanten and Dr. Bawumia.

First of all, Alan Kyeremanten has never been a NEC member of the party. It is very sad that people claiming to promote him will rely on falsehoods to make him look good. In addition, as Vice President, H. E. Dr. Bawumia has much contact with the party hierarchy and grassroots across the country than Mr. Alan Kyeremanten. He has served on various committees of the party and has chaired the Manifesto committee that came out with the working document that proved to be the winning document for the party in the 2020 elections.

5. ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT TEAM

Under this heading, he claims Mr. Kyeremanten served under Presidents Kufour and Akufo-Addo’s EMTs whereas Dr. Bawumia leads the EMT of the current. How he sought to create a comparison between someone who chaired the EMT and a member is something that baffles the mind but it is obvious in this regard Dr. Bawumia stands out just as in the other areas.

6. ELECTORAL BASE

He claims Mr. Kyeremanten “hails from Regions which can produce close to 50% of the total votes the NPP obtains in any election” whereas Dr. Bawumia “hails from a Region which contribute to the success story of the NPP but the percentage votes obtained by the opposition is always higher than that of the NPP”. In my opinion, this statement of his is very vague and does not show how it poses as an advantage of Alan over Dr. Bawumia.

To begin with, can Mr. Orchill cite how someone with electoral base will lose his own constituency (AWW) votes, hometown ( Ejisu and KEEA) votes in all elections he contested from 2010? Which base is the he talking about? The decreasing at an increasing rate votes?

Most importantly, the NPP has won power in the past and present and it has not been because the flag bearers hails from so and so regions. It has always been because of the policies that the party and leadership had on the table for Ghanaians. Furthermore, the significant rise in fortunes of the party in the regions where Dr. Bawumia hails from is proof of his unparalleled hardwork in convincing people to vote for the NPP and not John Mahama who also hails from the same region.

7. APPEAL TO NEUTRALS

He cites comments by the minority leader on Mr. Kyeremanten as evidence that he appeals not only to neutrals but also members of the opposition. Well, before members of the opposition praised Mr. Kyeremanten, they whilst in power had praised Dr. Bawumia for his intellectual prowess at a time when he was causing significant damage to the campaigns of the NDC.

The comments of Dr. Kwesi Botchway in the wake of Dr. Bawumia’s lectures in opposition readily comes to mind. Furthermore, it is an undeniable fact that several people who identified themselves as neutrals voted the NPP primarily because of the personality of Dr. Bawumia and the huge potential this Government had with him as head of the EMT.

8. OPINION POLLS ON WINNERBILITY

Failing to cite one example, he claims “all known opinion polls presently suggest that Alan Kyerematen has an upper hand to win the NPP Primaries and Ghana’s Presidential Elections as compared to others in the race.”

This assertion is false and on the contrary, several surveys prominently the one by the European Public Policy Institute (EPPI) show that Dr. Bawumia is 3 points ahead Mr. Kyeremanten in the race for the 2024 flag bearer (https://www.google.no/amp/s/www.modernghana.com/amp/news/1069793/eppi-survey-bawumia-3-points-ahead-of-alan-ndc.html)

Also, a cursory look at the opinions expressed by grassroot members of the party across the country point to only one fact which is Dr. Bawumia is the man to break the 8 for the party in 2024.

9. SPOUSES

He claims Mrs. Kyeremanten “comes from a well-identified constituent in our electoral space” whereas Mrs. Bawumia “doesn’t have a well-defined constituent within our Ghanaian political space”. Perhaps he is not well informed about the fact that a huge boundary-less constituency called the Zongo sees Mrs. Bawumia as key member. The voting pattern in the Zongos is gradually shifting from a conservative NDC to NPP because of the hardwork of Mrs. Bawumia and several other people. To appreciate more about the positive impact Mrs. Bawumia has had on the fortunes of the party, kindly read under the heading “The Samira Bawumia Effect” in an article written by Chief Obossu Mohammed (https://www.graphic.com.gh/features/opinion/dr-mahamudu-bawumia-embodies-our-best-shot-in-2024-ii.html)

In conclusion, it will be an insurmountable task to get an individual who surpasses H. E. Dr. Bawumia in any of the relevant leadership criteria as far as the goal of breaking the 8 in 2024 is concerned. That is why we need to rally behind him as soon as possible and give him the necessary support he deserves to help the party achieve breaking the 8 in 2024 In Shaa Allah.

Written by:
Dr. Issah Imoro
(issahwuni@gmail.com)