In a startling revelation on Monday night, former New Patriotic Party (NPP) member Nana Ohene Ntow alleged that Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia was not a party member as of 2008, contradicting the constitutional requirements for a running mate.
Speaking on TV3's Ghana Tonight show, Ohene Ntow, who was expelled from the NPP along with three others for supporting independent candidate Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, asserted that when then-presidential candidate Akufo-Addo selected Bawumia as his running mate in 2008, it went against the party's constitution.
The constitution stipulates that the candidate for the position must be a card-bearing member in good standing for at least five years.
According to Ohene Ntow, Akufo-Addo persuaded party executives to accept Bawumia as the running mate, despite reservations from some members. Akufo-Addo reportedly argued that Bawumia's expertise in economic management would benefit the party.
“Now, he said Ghana has witnessed a downward economic performance since Akufo-Addo and Bawumia took over, implying that Bawumia was foisted on them for nothing,” Ohene Now asserted.
He pointed out that even staunch NPP members are expressing dissatisfaction with the current government's economic policies, citing issues such as the instability of the cedi, unprecedented levels of borrowing, and burdensome taxes.
Ohene Now believes that these are areas where Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen would excel if given the mandate.
“The major complaints about this government are the instability of the cedi which is negatively affecting every aspect of the economy, the level of borrowing that has never happened before in Ghana, burdening Ghanaians with taxes, and these are the very things Alan would make better if given the mandate,” he stressed.
Despite his expulsion from the NPP, Ohene Ntow remains resolute in his support for Alan Kyerematen, stating that he is unperturbed by the party's decision.
The NPP, in response to the public support for Alan, has expelled Ohene Ntow and three others, citing that it is unacceptable for a member to endorse any candidate other than the officially elected flagbearer of the party.
