The mantra of possibility associated with NPP flagbearer, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, was a significant theme in last night’s intense US presidential debate, where US Vice President and Democratic candidate, Kamala Harris, invoked it to highlight her vision for the nation.
The dynamic 90-minute debate revealed numerous parallels with the current political landscape in Ghana and the ongoing campaign for the presidential election scheduled for December.
To begin with, Vice President Harris is engaged in a contest with former President Trump, who was defeated in the election while in office; this mirrors the situation in Ghana, where the sitting President Bawumia is contending with former President John Mahama, who has faced defeat in the last two general elections.
The debate primarily revolved around the candidates’ records, with Vice President Harris scrutinizing and criticizing the tenure of former President Trump, asserting that this was the reason “81 million Americans voted him out of office.“
In a similar vein, Vice President Bawumia has strategically focused the campaign in Ghana on the issue of records, frequently highlighting and contrasting what he deems the subpar achievements of former President Mahama with the commendable accomplishments of the current administration across various sectors.
A notable parallel was the challenge of inconsistencies in essential national policies. For instance, similar to the Free SHS initiative in Ghana, Vice President Harris criticized former President Trump for his shifting stance on abortion rights, as he seemed to distance himself from his initial position advocating for a complete ban.
The discourse surrounding abortion in the U.S. election mirrors the situation with Free SHS, where former President Mahama is also attempting to alter his previously established anti-Free SHS stance in light of the upcoming 2024 election. During the debate, former President Trump sought to hold Vice President Harris accountable for various contentious issues related to the Biden administration.
However, while Harris robustly defended the administration she is part of, she also articulated her vision and the policies she intends to pursue as President. This dynamic is reminiscent of the situation in Ghana, where Vice President Bawumia consistently champions what he describes as the “superior record” of the NPP compared to the Mahama-NDC administration, while simultaneously outlining his vision and policies for his potential presidency.
Interestingly, during the debate, Harris echoed a phrase from Bawumia’s campaign slogan as she responded to Trump’s criticisms of her policies. After enumerating several new initiatives she plans to introduce for the American populace, Harris proclaimed herself as the new chapter for America and urged citizens not to “turn back the page,” alluding to Trump.
I am a leader who believes in what is possible”, she emphasized as this resonates with Bawumia’s
