Dr Nana Ayew Afriye, a member of parliament for Effiduase-Asokore, has said Dr Mahamudu Bawumia advised the erstwhile Akufo-Addo government against an unpopular decision but was ignored.
According to Dr Ayew Afriye, Bawumia’s critics are hypocritical and unfair.
He expressed surprise at critics of the former Vice President, saying they are reluctant to acknowledge his achievements.
Dr Ayew Afriye added that Dr Bawumia was just a Vice President, what more could he have done after his advice was ignored?
Speaking in an interview on Kumasi-based OTEC FM on September 8, 2025, Dr Ayew Afriye stated, “What is even troubling is that our own people are leading the onslaught. If we in the NPP admit that somehow, we disappointed Ghanaians, then we must collectively accept the blame and apologise to Ghanaians, with the former president leading”.
The lawmaker added that Dr Bawumia was the brain behind many of the social intervention policies implemented under the Akufo-Addo government.
He added, “Those attacking Bawumia know very well his influence in executing some of the government’s social intervention policies that became popular.
“It is no secret that Dr Bawumia advised against some decisions he considered unpopular and harmful to the government and the NPP, but those cautions were ignored. What more could he have done as Vice President?
“The party faithful will never forget how he dedicated himself, even at the risk of his career, to ensure the NPP came to power. Was he not the same person who became a thorn in the flesh of the then-ruling NDC? They could not contain him. He was the hero then, so what has changed? I ask his critics,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has told his fellow aspirants in the party’s flagbearership to focus their guns on the John Mahama-led government, not him.
According to Dr Bawumia, the NPP’s true opponent is the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and not those within the NPP.
Speaking to thousands of NPP supporters after submitting his nomination forms for the NPP’s presidential primaries on August 28, 2025, Dr Bawumia stated, “We need unity to win, and I promise you that, just as you have known me to be, I would not do anything to bring division or conflict within the party. If there were to be anyone to create problems in the NPP, it wouldn’t be Dr. Bawumia”.
The NPP flagbearer hopeful urged his fellow aspirant in the party’s flagbearership race to direct their energies towards holding the NDC government.
Dr Bawumia added, “What the NPP and Ghana need is a strong party that can hold the government accountable for its promises. Bawumia has always done that and will do that as flagbearer,”
“For the various candidates contesting for flagbearership, I ask: won’t Ghana and the NPP be better off if instead of focusing your guns on Bawumia, you focus on holding the Government accountable to show that you can lead the NPP in holding the NDC accountable? Won’t Ghana and the NPP be better off if instead of attacking each other, you focus on selling a vision for the Party and the Country?” he queried.
“Our true opponent is not within. Our true opponent is out there! We need unity to win. I promise you that just as you have known me to be, I would not do anything to bring division or conflict within the party. If there would be anyone to create problems in the NPP, it won’t be Dr Bawumia,” he assured.
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia further added that the NPP and Ghana are demanding a leader who embodies intellect, humility and respect.
He added, “I am offering myself to be elected as flagbearer because I believe I owe a duty to this party to give her a choice to put forward the most prepared candidate for the 2028 election and the most prepared person to be President in Jan 2029”.
“In the last 16 years, I have had the privilege of joining each and every constituency at least five times, to work hard on the ground, campaign and work for the NPP. Just like the thousands of you who may not have had all the money in the world to throw at the party, all my sweat, my reputation, my knowledge and my person have been dedicated to working with you for the success of this party. As a result of this, there is no village or hamlet, no city or town where Mahamudu Bawumia’s face and name are not known”.
Dr Bawumia further called on the NPP delegates to vote for him to build on the 42% of valid votes in the 2024 elections.
He added, “I owe this party a duty, that if we are to win 2028, we ought not to start afresh from zero. Instead, we ought to build on the nearly 42% of valid votes and work to cross the 50% mark in the next election”.
“I’ve also had the privilege of serving as Vice President and supporting the President and government in our last administration with ideas that have significantly impacted the lives of millions of our people”, Dr Bawumia said.
“The NPP and Ghana are demanding a leader who embodies deep intellect, humility, respect for all persons, unity, courage, foresight, and resilience. As the NPP seeks a leader who represents the character of this party’s tradition and the values of our forebears, I, Mahamudu Bawumia, offer myself to lead the party into the 2028 elections,” he said.