Dr. Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, former Government Spokesperson on Governance and Security, has taken aim at Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the 2024 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), accusing him of attempting to deflect responsibility for the party’s defeat in the December 7, 2024 general elections.
Speaking during his post-election “Thank You Tour,” Dr. Bawumia cited several reasons for the NPP’s loss, including arrogance within the party’s leadership, the rising cost of living, failure to reshuffle underperforming officials, the unpopular Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy), and the IMF-backed “haircut” policy under the debt restructuring programme. He argued that these factors intensified the economic hardships facing Ghanaians.
However, Dr. Boakye-Danquah strongly criticized what he described as Dr. Bawumia’s attempt to distance himself from these policy failures. He called the move both unfair and opportunistic, stressing that as Vice President, Dr. Bawumia had ample opportunity to influence key decisions but remained silent at crucial moments.
“He had the platform to raise objections or offer alternatives but chose not to. Now, in hindsight, he’s attempting to separate himself from the very administration he was a part of,” Boakye-Danquah said.
He further accused Dr. Bawumia of remaining quiet during the highly controversial Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP), which triggered widespread financial distress and public protests, particularly among pensioners.
According to Boakye-Danquah, Dr. Bawumia’s recent remarks downplaying his role in the DDEP reflect a troubling lack of collective responsibility.
“Pointing fingers at President Akufo-Addo just days before the election, especially over issues like the cost-of-living crisis and fuel price hikes, was not only inappropriate but also disloyal,” he added.
