Dear Mr. John Mahama,
I hope this letter finds you well. I feel compelled to address your recent remarks regarding Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia during your public appearances, which seem to reflect more on your own shortcomings than on his character.
Your criticisms appear to echo the proverbial wisdom that “when you point a finger at someone, three fingers point back at you.” This sentiment is particularly evident in your attempts to discredit Dr. Bawumia, a man widely respected for his integrity and vision.
For instance, your suggestion that Dr. Bawumia should implement all his policies immediately rather than waiting until after the 2024 elections, overlooks practical considerations and raises questions about your own track record and consistency. As you well know from your own experience as Vice President and then President, implementing policies requires strategic planning and time, especially within the confines of executive authority.
It’s important to recognize the distinction between the roles of Vice President and President. While Dr. Bawumia plays a crucial role in shaping policies under President Nana Akufo-Addo’s administration, ultimate responsibility for implementation rests with the President. Expecting Dr. Bawumia to act independently of the presidential authority is unrealistic and misrepresents the governance structure.
Rather than engaging in divisive rhetoric, I encourage you to focus on presenting your own vision and policies to the Ghanaian people. They deserve a constructive dialogue focused on substantive issues, such as your proposal for a 24-hour economy, which demands detailed explanation and public scrutiny.
Lastly, it’s worth reflecting on the electorate’s expectations. Ghanaians have demonstrated a keen awareness of governance challenges and are unlikely to overlook the complexities involved in policy implementation, regardless of political rhetoric. As such, relying on assumptions about short memories may not serve the interests of transparency and accountability that voters rightly demand.
I urge you to consider these points as you continue your political engagements. A respectful and substantive debate, perhaps even with Dr. Bawumia, would contribute greatly to a more informed political discourse beneficial to all Ghanaians.
The writer is Dr Issah Imoro, a fellow of the Danquah Institute (DI)
