The 2024 New Patriotic Party (NPP) Parliamentary Candidate for Sefwi Wiawso, Festus Bumakama Agyapong, says Ghanaโs political history has consistently rewarded persistence in presidential contests.
He believes that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia stands a greater chance of winning the 2028 elections if retained as the NPPโs flagbearer.
Citing examples from Ghanaโs political history, he noted how consistency and determination helped leaders like John Agyekum Kufuor, John Evans Atta Mills, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and John Dramani Mahama eventually win after earlier defeats.
Based on these precedents, Mr. Bumakama has urged the NPP to retain Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as its presidential candidate in the upcoming primaries slated for January 31, describing him as the most marketable and visionary leader capable of securing victory for the party in 2028.
He made these remarks during Dr. Mahamudu Bawumiaโs visit to the Sefwi Wiawso Constituency, where delegates and party faithful gave the former Vice President a rousing welcome as part of his โBawumia Delegates Connect Tourโ in the Western North Region.
Mr. Bumakama explained that although some individuals have criticized Dr. Bawumia following the 2024 elections, history shows that first-time presidential candidates rarely win in Ghana.
โGoing into 2028, the NPP has an advantage over every political party in Ghana because we already have a strong and well-marketed candidate in Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. History proves that consistency matters in Ghanaian politics โ from Kufuor to Akufo-Addo, Atta Mills, and even Mahama, who won again because the NDC stayed consistent with him after his 2016 loss,โ he stated.
He recalled how former President John Agyekum Kufuor lost the 1996 elections but was retained by the NPP to lead again in 2000, eventually winning โ a testament to the power of persistence and party confidence.
Mr. Bumakama also cited John Evans Atta Mills, who failed in two consecutive attempts but was maintained by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2008 elections, which he won due to consistency and trust.
He further mentioned that Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo achieved victory in 2016 after losing in both 2008 and 2012, demonstrating that perseverance breeds political success.
According to him, the NDCโs decision to retain John Dramani Mahama after losing power in 2016 and 2020 also paid off, as Mahamaโs previous campaigns had already made him a well-marketed and recognizable candidate.
โThe NDC never gave up on President Mahama after losing in 2016 and again in 2020. They kept faith with him, and by 2024, they won massively because he had already been marketed and accepted by the people,โ he explained.
Festus Bumakama Agyapong described Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as a marketable and visionary leader whose digitalization and modernization agenda have positioned the NPP as a party of innovation and progress.
โDr. Mahamudu Bawumia represents unity, progress, and transformation. He is the future of the NPP and Ghana, and the party must stand firmly behind him to ensure victory in 2028,โ he concluded.
