Full text: Bawumia's speech at NPP headquarters after filing nomination
Source: myjoyonline

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. 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 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. 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 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: Bank 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 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 Assistance Rental Scheme Zongo Development Fund Individualized Credit Scoring Paperless Ports Electric Buses E-Gates at the Kotoka International Airport Digitization of medical records at all district, regional and teaching hospitals in Ghana 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 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 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 results. That is what I bring to 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 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 setup 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. The promise to triple jobs and create new ones through a 24-hour economy 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: Won’t Ghana and the NPP be better off if instead of focusing your guns on Bawumia, you focus on holding the Government accountable to show that you can lead the NPP in holding the NDC accountable? Won’t Ghana and the NPP be better off if instead of focusing on attacking each other, you focus on selling a vision for the party and the country? 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: Expand the Ghanaian economy through rich ideas Flat tax system for individuals, corporate and import taxes Enabling environment for businesses Accelerate job creation for youth Recognize and reward sacrifices of our grassroots Restore appointments of those who lost jobs Reduce cost of living and support the vulnerable Adopt a constituency-based development and budgeting framework Build a modern digital economy with equal opportunities for all Expand access to credit Energize domestic production Dedicate 3% of GDP to local private sector procurement Achieve all of this with a strong, disciplined and united NPP 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 in 2008 I didn’t hesitate to leave the African Development Bank to help in 2012 I didn’t hesitate to take the box at the Supreme Court as the star witness in 2013 I didn’t hesitate to defend the party even at the risk of mockery I didn’t hesitate to concede the 2024 elections to preserve 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. 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!!! Let’s Win! Let’s Win Together! Let’s Win With Bawumia!