Bawumia’s Message to Delegates at Submission of Forms

REMARKS BY DMB ON SUBMISSION OF FORMS
Kukrudu!!!
Fellow Kukrudites,
Before I start, I ask that we all stand and observe a
minute’s silence for our brother Ernest Yaw Kumi, our MP
for Akwatia who passed away recently and for all others
who have lost their lives in the service of our great party.
Let me start by expressing my most profound gratitude to
those of you here and those watching from across the
country for joining me as I embark on this journey, not for
myself but for our nation and our party.
It is with a deep sense of purpose that I announce
formally, my bid to be retained as flagbearer of the New
Patriotic Party for the 2028 general elections.
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I offer myself for a second time to bear the flag of the NPP
into this election, after having listened extensively to the
demands of the party and the nation.
Since 1947, our forebears have played the most impactful
role in Ghana’s history. Whenever it has mattered most,
we have been at the forefront of providing the leadership
and showing the character that has ignited passion and
energy among the people of Ghana.
From the days of Danquah, Dombo, Busia, Paa Willie,
Edward Akufo-Addo and Baffuor Akoto, our tradition
demonstrated deep intellect during the fight for
independence. The traits of selflessness and humility
were evident in the genes of patriots. In the days of Victor
Owusu we demonstrated respect for all persons, and in
days of Adu Boahene we showed the spirit of courage,
rising up to challenge oppressors’ rule. In the days of
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Kufour we showed emotional intelligence and the spirit
of inclusion and in the days of Akufo-Addo we showed
foresight and resilience.
The NPP and Ghana are demanding for a leader who
embodies the values of this tradition. Deep intellect,
humility, respect for all persons, unity, courage, foresight
and resilience.
Dear Citizens, as the NPP is looking for a leader who
embodies the character of this party’s tradition and the
values of our forebearers, I Mahamudu Bawumia offer
myself to lead the party for the 2028 elections because I
have the integrity, competence, compassion, humility and
the values not only required to lead this party but to lead
this country.
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This election is an election not only for flagbearer of our
party but an election for the soul of this party. The choice
we make on Jan 31st will determine whether or not this
party will hold on to the values that make us great or
become a new party focused on deepening the chasm
between the rich and the poor.
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 5 times, to work hard on
the ground and 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
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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. 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 have 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. This is what the streets
refer to as being Rich in Ideas. The Initiatives I advocated
for in our time, today are making impact in people’s lives.
The rich, innovative and practical ideas that I successfully
championed and saw to implementation include the Bank
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of Ghana’s Gold Purchase Program (First in Africa), Gold
for Oil (First in Africa), accelerated issuance of the
Ghanacard, Mobile Money Interoperability (First in Africa),
GhanaPost Digital Property Address System (First in
Africa), Agenda 111, One Constituency One Ambulance,
the Zipline Medical Drone Delivery (largest in the World),
Universal QR Code Payment System (First in Africa), No
Guarantor Student Loans, Ghana.Gov, Citizens App, NHIS
registration and renewal on mobile phone, Rental
Assistance Scheme, Zongo Development Fund,
Individualized Credit Scoring, Paperless Ports, Electric
Buses, E-Gates at the Kotoka International Airport, and
digitization of medical records at all district, regional and
teaching hospitals in Ghana, amongst others.
The implementation of these practical policy initiatives
has resulted in many people saying that I have been the
most effective Vice President in Ghana’s history. This
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implies that given the opportunity, I can equally become
one of the most effective presidents Ghana will have. I
demonstrate my strength by getting results, not by making
noise or by insults or bragging about money.
The combined effect of how well Bawumia is Known today
and my experience as VP make me the most prepared
person for the NPP’s quest for the 2028 election and
Governance in 2029.
Fellow Kukrudites in the words of Kofi Abrefa Busia, the
qualification to be a success in Ghana’s Politics includes
‘a large capacity to stomach all sorts of attacks’. I am not
oblivious to the fact that the NDC and lately elements
within our own family subject me to daily attacks. In fact,
I expect that there will be more attacks in the coming
months and years. But if I have learnt anything from our
history, it includes the fact that a man must be formidable
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so that no matter the adversity, he stands tall, focused and
resolute.
All that can be hurled at me, I have already been attacked
with. As the days are going by, time has shown great
vindication. The Bank of Ghana, the IMF, and even NDC
kingpins are now admitting on many matters that
Bawumia was right. What more can they say of me now?
In our history when All has been said of a candidate and
yet he remains standing, victory is the logical next step
that awaits him.
The Akans have a saying that, Opanin Due Mate – Mante.
To wit, a wise leader must at times seem aloof, YET when
it is required be willing to take the difficult decisions. That
is who I am. I am cool on the outside but do not
underestimate my inner resolve. That is what I bring to
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the leadership of the NPP and the leadership of Ghana.
That is what makes a leader balanced and formidable.
Dear delegates, the most important desire in the hearts of
all our colleagues, is a win in 2028. We have to put our
best foot forward as we rebuild our party towards that
election. To win 2028, we must not just talk unity. We
must live it. The repeated attacks by our own party folk on
one another is absolutely unhelpful. What we say against
each other is what the NDC will use against us in 2028. If
you claim you are a true patriot and want this party to win
in 2028 then stop it. Don’t lecture us about how blue your
blood is. Let your actions show. Stop the Internal attacks
now. Stop the religious and tribal attacks NOW.
We lost the 2024 elections after introducing many good
programs. Unfortunately, due mostly to the economic pain
that many of our citizens felt, the NDC managed to
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convince them with lofty promises to stay away or vote
against us. We have learnt lessons. I assure you that these
lessons will be put to good use when we return to office.
However, it is already becoming evident that the NDC does
not intend to fulfil the lofty promises they made to
Ghanaians in their quest for power. The promise to pay
Cocoa Farmers at least 6,000 Ghana Cedis is one they
don’t intend to keep. The Promise to institute a state of
emergency and repeal LI 2462 to fight galamsey is one they
do not intend to keep. The set up of the Goldbod to execute
the gold purchase program is unravelling as miners are
reluctant to sell their gold due to the unattractive prices
offered. Remittances have reduced by 50% as a result of
the misalignment in the exchange rates across the
different forex markets. The promise to allow free
expression is one they do not intend to keep. They
promised to triple jobs and create new ones through a 24-
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hour economy but it is evident that it was just a political
gimmick.
What the NPP and Ghana needs is a strong party that can
hold the government accountable for these promises.
Bawumia has always done that and will do that as
flagbearer.
For the various candidates contesting for flagbearership I
ask, wont Ghana and the NPP be better off if instead of
focussing your guns on Bawumia, you focus on holding
the Government accountable to show that you can lead
the NPP in holding the NDC accountable?
Wont Ghana and the NPP be better off if instead of
focussing on attacking each other, you focus on selling a
vision for the Party and the Country?
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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.
My Vision is to expand the Ghanaian economy through
Rich Ideas that provide incentives and measures such as
a flat tax system for individual, corporate and import taxes
and an enabling environment for business to thrive and
accelerate the pace of Job creation for the youth of this
country.
A future Bawumia government would recognize and
reward the sacrifices of our grassroots. Many have lost
their jobs under the current government and we will
restore their appointments. My Vision is to introduce
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measures that reduce the cost of living for the average
Ghanaian and support for the vulnerable. My vision is to
adopt a constituency-based development and budgeting
framework in which local people benefit the most and the
wellbeing of the individual is enhanced. My vision is for a
modern digitalized economy that offers equal
opportunities to all, including women, the physically
challenged and the grassroots, and not just for the rich.
My vision is for the credit system to be accessible to all as
in the advanced countries. My vision is to energize
domestic production and job creation and lessen the fiscal
burden by dedicating 3% of GDP of expenditure currently
undertaken by the public sector to the private sector with
procurement being made locally. My vision is to achieve
all this starting with a strong disciplined and united NPP.
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Conclusion
All my life, this country and this party have given me so
much. I feel an overwhelming sense of duty to give back.
That is why I didn’t hesitate to lay down my job at the BOG
to assist the NPP’s quest for power in 2008. And indeed, I
lost that gamble. That is why I did not hesitate to leave my
Job at the African development Bank to help the NPP in

2012. That is why I didn’t hesitate to take the Box at the
      supreme court as the star witness in 2013 to fight for the
      NPP. That is why I have never hesitated to defend this
      party even at the risk of mockery by our opponents. That
      is why I did not hesitate to concede the 2024 elections to
      preserve the nation’s peace. You can be sure, that with
      Mahamudu Bawumia as flagbearer, I shall not hesitate to
      put my all on the line for the NPP and for Ghana as I have
      done before.
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      I implore you, to join me on this journey to rebuild our
      party and reposition this great tradition to deliver for
      Ghanaians from 2028. I am committed to doing this with
      you, the grassroots of the party supported by the mighty
      minority of 88!!!
      Lets Win!
      Lets win together!
      Lets Win with Bawumia!