Manasseh Azure Awuni has weighed in on the internal flagbearer contests of Ghana’s two major parties, arguing that while each side secretly prefers a weak opponent, the nation’s well-being demands that both the NPP and NDC present their strongest candidates.
“It is in the interest of the NDC that the NPP elect a bad candidate.
“And it is in the interest of the NPP that the NDC elect a bad candidate. However, it is in the interest of our democracy and the well-being of Ghanaians that both parties put their best foot forward,” he wrote on his Facebook page.
Turning his attention to the NPP’s contest, Manasseh gave a cautious endorsement of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, noting both his experience in government and the precedent of first-time losers who later triumphed.
“Dr. Bawumia has been part of a failed regime, but in my article, in which I intend to explain why I think Bawumia should lead the NPP, I will also explain why Bawumia’s failure in that regime is enough to disqualify his internal opponents if that failure were to form the basis for his rejection in the internal race.”
He argued that the party, amid “heightened acrimony and division,” needs a unifying figure—and Bawumia fits that role despite a previous electoral defeat.
“It is true that he led the party once and lost, but he’s in an enviable company of first-time election losers. Kufuor lost in 1996 before winning in 2000. President Atta Mills lost twice, in 2000 and 2004, before winning in 2008.
“President Akufo-Addo lost twice, in 2008 and 2012, before winning in 2016. President Mahama lost twice, in 2016 and 2020, before winning in 2024.”
Finally, Manasseh cautioned against reducing the selection process to a money race.
“I’ve also heard that Bawumia has enough money to pump into the party. If the primary consideration for leading the NPP were money, then Chairman Wuntumi could as well be the NPP’s flag bearer.”
