Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has launched a broadside against President John Dramani Mahama’s administration, accusing the government of failing to deliver on key campaign promises and describing several of its commitments as “scams.”
Addressing the NPP’s National Delegates Conference at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Saturday, October 3, Dr Bawumia took aim at the government’s record on cocoa prices, employment, education, healthcare, electricity tariffs, illegal mining and the 24-hour economy.
The former Vice President argued that nearly two years into the Mahama administration, several promises made to Ghanaians had either not been fulfilled or had fallen short of expectations.
“The promises to cocoa farmers to increase the cocoa price to 6,500 cedis has turned out to be a scam,” Dr Bawumia said.
“The promise of automatic posting of teachers and nurses and the improvement in their conditions of service has turned out to be another scam. The promise to cancel teacher licensure examinations has proven to be another scam.”
He also criticised the government’s 24-hour economy programme, questioning the emphasis on constructing markets as part of the initiative.
Dr Bawumia argued that the policy had been promoted as a major job-creation intervention but had yet to deliver the scale of employment promised.
He questioned the rationale behind what he described as “24-hour markets”, arguing that such projects did not address the core employment expectations associated with the policy.
“Even the NDC cannot explain why people in my village or your village will wake up at 12 midnight to go and buy koobi in the market at midnight,” he said.
‘Markets Instead of Hospitals’
Turning to healthcare, Dr Bawumia accused the government of failing to continue the Agenda 111 hospital programme initiated under the previous NPP administration.
He argued that completing the hospitals should be a priority because of their potential to expand access to healthcare across the country.
“Apparently, this government prefers 24-hour markets to hospitals,” he said.
Dr Bawumia also criticised the government’s management of the Free Senior High School programme, claiming that feeding challenges had worsened while the administration had failed to deliver on its commitment to abolish the double-track system.
On energy, the NPP flagbearer accused the government of failing to deliver promised reductions in electricity costs.
He said businesses were instead grappling with higher electricity bills despite assurances associated with the government’s economic programme.
Bawumia Condemns La Beach Demolition
Dr Bawumia also waded into the controversy surrounding the demolition of businesses and structures at the La beachfront, expressing solidarity with traders, artisans and business owners affected by the exercise.
He said businesses built through years of investment had been destroyed and called on the government to engage those affected, provide alternative locations and consider compensation.
“A government that promised new jobs is instead destroying the ones that Ghanaians created for themselves,” he said.
Defends Gold Purchase Programme
On the economy, Dr Bawumia defended the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme introduced under the previous NPP administration, arguing that the initiative helped strengthen Ghana’s foreign exchange reserves and provided protection against external shocks.
He accused the current administration of recording substantial losses under its management of the programme in 2025.
Dr Bawumia also turned his attention to illegal mining, accusing the government of failing to match its campaign rhetoric with results in the fight against galamsey.
He argued that illegal mining remained a major challenge despite commitments by the NDC to tackle the problem.
Demands Probe Into Drug Trafficking
The NPP flagbearer further called for a bipartisan parliamentary investigation into recent drug consignments linked to Ghana and intercepted abroad.
He said investigations should go beyond the arrest of suspected couriers to establish the financiers and networks behind the shipments.
“Arresting couriers is not enough. Ghanaians want to know who is financing these shipments and how they keep getting through,” he said.
Bawumia Accuses Government of ‘Weaponising’ State Power
Dr Bawumia also accused the Mahama administration of what he described as the “weaponisation of state power”, alleging that opposition figures were being subjected to unequal treatment by state institutions.
He cited the case of Manhyia South Member of Parliament Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah, who surrendered to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) in connection with an investigation and was subsequently detained.
Dr Bawumia said the NPP would insist on the equal application of the law and pledged that state institutions would be expected to operate fairly if the party returned to government.
The former Vice President concluded by urging the NPP’s newly elected national executives to unite the party, strengthen its grassroots structures and intensify scrutiny of the government as the party prepares for the 2028 general election.
He said the NPP would draw lessons from both the achievements and shortcomings of its previous administration if it returned to power.
“When the NPP assumes the reins of office in 2029, we shall bring to bear the lessons of our successes and the challenges to do a way better job in these and other areas than this government is doing,” he said.
The NPP conference forms part of the opposition party’s reorganisation ahead of the 2028 presidential and parliamentary elections, with more than 7,000 delegates participating in the Kumasi gathering.
