The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) can boast of vibrant and dedicated members who have toiled and sacrificed over the years. However, the least has been said about Dr Mahamudu Bawumia. His works over the years are palpable enough to be extolled. From his time at the Bank of Ghana through to international assignments and back home, Dr Bawumia’s impact on the NPP and Ghana at large cannot be shrugged off.
The love and appraisals for Dr Mahamudu Bawumia are no fluke, however, his hard work and dedication have brought him this far.
As a son of Alhaji Mumuni Bawumia of blessed memories who was a lawyer and a Regional Minister, just to mention a few, it was very easy to tap into his father’s eminence, however, it wasn’t the case. Dr Bawumia wasn’t going to sit on his behind and mope, hence, every single accolade was fittingly worked for.
Dr Bawumia returned to Ghana in 2000 after schooling overseas. The “borga” title as one is called when they touch down was not going to get into their head but rather propelled him to even work more as though he was Isaac and had been promised another woman.
Soon after his arrival, Dr was sent to the Bank of Ghana to help diagnose and heal the sick economy that the Kufuor administration inherited.
To those who did not know, Dr Bawumia worked and rose through various ranks at the Bank of Ghana, including helping to design and implement the inflation-targeting framework that continues to guide monetary policy and the workings of the Monetary Policy Committee at the Bank of Ghana, at least I’m glad they know now.
Fast-forward, Dr Bawumia was chosen by candidate Nana Akufo-Addo as his running mate heading into the 2008 general elections. It is no doubt that the hard work of Dr Bawumia helped increase the NPP’s vote shares in the Northern part of Ghana as compared to previous elections, particularly the 2004 election.
Unfortunately, but for some overconfidence and joy on the part of some leading members of the NPP who had relaxed heading into the run-off election at Tain because they had taken lead but could not amass the required number of votes (50 + 1), the Elephant would have been reinstated due to the relieve the Kufuor administration brought on the economy which cannot be discussed without the Bawumia factor.
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia yet again was chosen to be the running mate for the Elephants in the 2012 general elections, although some core members of the party wanted a new face. The Nana-Bawumia combo had just begun.
The Bawumia factor continued as the Party won ten (10) seats in the Northern Region including Yendi, Walewale, Yagaba – Kubore, Bunkpurugu, Bimbilla, Chereponi, Kpandai, Tatale – Sanguli, Tolon and Zabzugu. The Nabdam and Talensi Constituencies in the Upper East Region were also swept away by the NPP.
Again, the NPP lost the presidential seat, however, this time, it wasn’t a fair loss.
Data analysis being one of his prowess, after collecting and analyzing data, Dr Bawumia together with his team noticed the elections were not fair hence the need to challenge the results. As a man of integrity and peace, Dr Bawumia and his team requested that though the Umbrella had been erroneously unfastened, every member of the Elephant keep calm and not resort to violence nonetheless, the result will be challenged legally.
All documents were ready but then again, the one to lead the Lord’s battle which this time round was going to be in the courtroom nearly dwindled the vigour gathered. Dr Bawumia owned up and accepted to be the star witness.
For a young man with no legal background to have that intelligence and valour to appear before high-profiled legal practitioners to present facts came as a surprise which eventually turned into a trend that caught the fancy of almost the entire nation. Perhaps, that was the awakening of the DMB fever.
Though the NPP lost by a slim margin (4, 5) in the 2013 court ruling, it was evident the Electoral Commission headed by Dr Afari Gyan had its shortcomings which were exposed, all thanks to Dr Bawumia, the star witness at the time.
Such a workaholic and results-oriented patriot are not sidelined when the need to ‘Break the Eight’ for a ‘Greater Ghana for All’ is necessary.
I will leave you with this wise saying, short advice is like a mini skirt, it covers only the important parts.