Professor Etse Sikanku has expressed his admiration for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s remarkable achievements in transforming Ghana’s Office of the Vice President since 2017.
In his recently published book, titled “Dr. Bawumia and the Modern Vice Presidency,” Professor Sikanku thoroughly examines the Vice Presidency of Ghana and highlights the significant changes brought about by Dr. Bawumia’s active involvement and influence.
During the book launch event held in Accra last night, Professor Sikanku commended Dr. Bawumia for his proactive approach as Vice President, emphasizing that he is not merely a figurehead but actively contributes to the transformation of the office.
The professor drew a parallel between Dr. Bawumia’s impactful reforms and the renowned former US Vice President, Walter Mondale, who is widely recognized for revolutionizing the American Vice Presidency.
The President is always the focus of media attention. However, the Vice President Office is just a step away. The institution of the Vice President is as important as the office of the President but office has largely been reduced to a ceremonial office.
He entered the office and took the position and run with it. He has transformed the office. We see his action and we see his passion. He has brought dignity to the Office of the Vice President and to some extent the office of the President.
Bawumia has used his office for social justice and social advocacy. He did this by pursuing what he is passionate about. He did this through digitalization, which is pushing the world forward. He has done it in such a way that posterity will be kind to him.
Professor Sikanku elucidated that the role of the US Vice Presidency had been diminished to a ceremonial position, where Vice Presidents mainly served as representatives of the President at events and were not well-informed about governmental affairs. This changed when Mondale, during President Jimmy Carter’s administration, transformed the role by being influential and elevating the status of the office.
Dr. Bawumia has done in Ghana what Walter Mundale did in the US for the office of the Vice President.
