A former central bank official educated in the United Kingdom, 61-year-old Bawumia has established himself as a prominent economist and a proponent of digital transformation in Ghana’s economy.
Since assuming the role of vice president in 2017, he has advocated for various initiatives, including the implementation of a digital address system, mobile money programs, and the digitization of land records.
However, he has faced challenges in distancing himself from the criticism directed at the government’s management of the economy, which includes issues such as a depreciating currency, rising living expenses, and a significant debt burden that led Ghana to seek assistance from the International Monetary Fund.
Daniel Amateye Anim-Prempeh, an economist affiliated with the Policy Initiative for Economic Development (PIED) in Accra, conveyed this information to AFP.
But he must contend with the real economic pain many Ghanaians feel daily, especially with the cedi’s depreciation.
A Muslim originally from the northern Tamale region, Bawumia pursued his university education in the United Kingdom, subsequently studying economics at Oxford, where he earned a PhD in Vancouver.
He served as the deputy governor of Ghana’s central bank and later held the position of resident representative for the African Development Bank in Zimbabwe.
His supporters argue that these qualifications have been instrumental in his role on President Nana Akufo-Addo’s economic management teams during a period of crisis in Ghana.
His campaign emphasizes his extensive experience as an economist as a significant asset. The recent economic challenges faced by Ghana, highlighted by a debt default in 2022 and a subsequent $3 billion bailout from the IMF, have made financial recovery a central issue in the election campaign.
The country has experienced soaring inflation, which exceeded 50 percent before beginning to decline, alongside a persistent unemployment crisis, particularly affecting the youth, which has put considerable pressure on households. Bawumia advocates for economic stabilization through initiatives such as a flat tax, tax amnesty, and competitive port charges.
Bawumia’s campaign promises a fresh vision that focuses on job creation and youth empowerment, and he has the expertise to deliver on it.
Bawumia’s extensive outreach since joining the NPP has resonated with many northern Ghanaians, potentially swinging a traditionally NDC stronghold in his favour.
Bawumia’s vision significantly contrasts with the policies of the current administration, as he pledges to establish a “lean yet highly efficient” government if he is elected.
He has vowed to limit the number of ministers to no more than 50, addressing public apprehensions regarding government expenditure. However, detractors contend that, as vice president, Bawumia bears some responsibility for the economic difficulties that have arisen during Akufo-Addo’s tenure.
The electorate must be convinced that Bawumia is his own man, and not merely an extension of Akufo-Addo.
