The Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has dismissed claims that the party’s 2024 presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, is attempting to distance himself from the record of the former NPP administration during his ongoing national Thank You Tour.
Dr. Bawumia’s recent public addresses have come under scrutiny, with critics suggesting that his tone signals an attempt to disassociate himself from unpopular decisions made during the Akufo-Addo-led government, in which he served as Vice President.
However, speaking on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana programme, Ahiagbah rejected such interpretations, insisting that Bawumia’s message is grounded in inclusiveness and collective responsibility.
“I don’t think he is distancing himself. It’s a way of speaking… If you listen to him, you’ll realise he is speaking from a collective standpoint,” Ahiagbah explained. “There is no way Dr. Bawumia will distance himself because we are all together in that decision.”
He emphasized that Dr. Bawumia had played a central role in the administration and continues to stand by its policies and achievements, while also presenting a vision for the future.
“If he made any attempts to distance himself, perhaps I would ask questions myself,” Ahiagbah said, adding that any suggestion of evasion is politically and logically flawed.
He also questioned the premise that distancing oneself from a collective record would offer any meaningful advantage. “What benefit would that bring to anybody to want to distance himself from collective efforts?” he asked.
Ahiagbah’s defense of Bawumia’s messaging comes at a time when the NPP is seeking to regroup and rebuild after losing the 2024 general elections. The Thank You Tour, led by Bawumia, has been positioned as an opportunity to reconnect with the party’s grassroots, reflect on the past, and rally support for the road ahead.
