Ashanti Region NPP says yes to Bawumia; Constituency chairmen rally delegates behind candidacy

Four days into Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s campaign tour of the Ashanti Region, the signs are clear that the region has fallen for him ahead of the presidential primary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

In the 11 constituencies visited so far, party delegates rooted for the leading contender in the race.
Significantly, all constituency chairmen are solidly behind the Vice President’s bid and have rallied delegates to buy into his camping message.

On the first day, the Vice President commissioned his campaign office at Asokwa in Kumasi, and met with delegates in the Subin, Suame, Manhyia North and Manhyia South constituencies.

For the second day, he addressed delegates in Atwima Mponua, Atwima Nwabiagya South, Atwima Kwanwoma and Kwadaso, while on day three, he was in Asante Akim South, Asante Akim North, Asante Akim Central and Bosome Freho. On Sunday, Dr Bawumia was in Akrofuom, New Edubiase, Adansi Asokwa and Adansi Fomena.

Number 9
In his message to delegates, Vice President Bawumia said the contest for the flag bearer of the NPP is not about who has the financial muscle but the one who can win the 2024 presidential election.

He pointed out that everyone can be a flag bearer but not everyone has the wherewithal to become a President, adding that his vision, innovative ideas, maturity, and experience put him ahead of his nine competitors. Likening the presidential contest to a football team, the Vice President said during the formation of a team some people will buy jerseys, others will buy football, boots and so on .

“Everybody contributes but when it comes to the football match proper , you will need players who can score the goals,” he said.

Dr Bawumia queried: “If you’re going into a match and someone says he bought jerseys so he should at all cost get selection to play at Number 9, is that the way to go? “

“You need a Number 9 who can score the goal and in the NPP that number 9 is Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia,” he said.

Busia, Kufuor
Taking a look into history , Dr. Bawumia said Dr. K.A. Busia and Mr. J.A. Kufuor were not rich but they went ahead to win elections and became some of the best heads of state of the history of the country.

He said in the UGCC, Paa Grant was the main financier of the party and even paid for the air ticket for Dr. Kwame Nkrumah to return to the country to become the General Secretary of the party but Paa Grant never asked that he became the presidential candidate of their party.

NDC fears
Vice President Bawumia reiterated that amongst the 10 NPP presidential aspirants, he is the only one the NDC fears .

“NDC don’t fear any of the nine flag bearer aspirants contesting with me that is why they don’t talk about them. Any time NDC speaks it’s about Bawumia. In the past, when NDC will attack the NPP, I’ll do one lecture and they’ll keep quiet,” he told the delegates .

Dr. Bawumia said the NDC campaign would die if he becomes the presidential candidate of the NPP.
“They are so much afraid of me because I’m the only person who poses a threat to them in their three strongholds of Northern Region, Volta Region and the Zongos. NDC campaign, since 1992 has been on tribalism and religion so, if I become NPP flag bearer, the NDC and their campaign is dead.”