Former Member of Parliament (MP) for Abuakwa South and member of the Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia Campaign Team, Lawyer Samuel Atta Akyea, has dismissed claims that Dr. Bawumia is avoiding conversations about Ghana’s economic difficulties.
Speaking on Sompa 106.5 FM, Lawyer Atta Akyea argued that it is misleading for critics to blame the Ex. Vice President for the country’s economic challenges, stressing that Dr. Bawumia was not the one in charge of managing the economy.
According to him, the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, was the person constitutionally responsible for the economy and was directly answerable to the President, not the Vice President.
“Bawumia was not in charge of the economy when he was Vice President. It was Ken Ofori-Atta who handled it and reported to the President. So it is not logical to say the mate is in charge of the car, we all know Bawumia was the mate,” he explained.
He noted that although Dr. Bawumia chaired the Economic Management Team, the team could not override decisions made by the President and the Finance Minister.
Atta Akyea added that Dr. Bawumia had at one point requested the opportunity to steer the economy, calling that move a “spiritual decision” that could have improved the nation’s economic direction if approved.
“He did his best to advise the President and the minister, but the power to implement those decisions did not lie with him,” he said.
The former MP argued that it would therefore be unfair for Ghanaians to hold Dr. Bawumia accountable for economic decisions he did not have the authority to enforce.
“Budgets are read in the name of the President. Because Bawumia was the mate, we cannot blame him for everything. He has never been President. This is his first time contesting, and if he is given the nod, Ghanaians will see the difference,” he stressed.
He concluded that Dr. Bawumia’s immediate focus is to convince party delegates of his competence and credibility. Once elected as the NPP’s presidential candidate, he said, Bawumia will fully address economic matters and outline his solutions for the country.
