Recent messages from former President John Mahama’s camp appear not to be gaining the required traction and acceptance, compared to the messages coming from Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia’s camp as the 2024 electoral campaign gradually gathers momentum.
While Vice-President Bawumia’s messages exude a sense of inclusivity and hope, former President Mahama’s messages appear to be struggling to resonate with the electorate.
The reactions, comparisons
Mr Mahama’s recent communications, predominantly focused on critiques of the current administration and promises of change appear to have encountered skepticism and rejection from some quarters.
For instance, a former NDC Deputy General Secretary, Samuel Koku Anyidoho, has criticized Mahama for failing to clearly outline his vision and plans since becoming the party’s presidential candidate last May.
In a post via X, formerly Twitter, Mr Anyidoho praised NPP flagbearer Dr Mahamudu Bawumia for hitting the ground running with his campaign after being elected in November 2023. He noted that within two months, Dr Bawumia had outlined policy rollout plans, ministerial reshuffles and named campaign and manifesto teams.
However, Mr Anyidoho said Mr Mahama had only generated “24-hour economy confusion” since emerging as the NDC flagbearer in May 2023.
“When I talk about Agenda Setting: Flagbearer elected 04/11/23; Solid outdooring same day; Policy Rollout 07/02/24; Ministerial reshuffle 14/02/24; Naming of Campaign Team 19/02/24; Naming of Manifesto Team 21/02/24. Opana popped up since May 2023; Only 24hr confusion. NDC,” he wrote
Mahama’s ‘Big Push’ strange
Mr Ernest Opoku Mpeniasah, who comes from Brewaniase, Nkwanta South, has also noted that one of the most glaring examples of Mahama’s confusion is his proposed “Big Push” policy.
In an open letter to Mahama, he admitted that while the idea of stimulating economic growth is commendable, Mahama’s lack of a clear plan and funding strategy raises serious doubts about its feasibility.
“It appears to be nothing more than a catchy slogan, lacking substance and practicality. Your proposal to regulate the operation of ‘Okada’ motorcycles is perplexing. Instead of focusing on creating sustainable job opportunities, and improving road safety, you seem to be pandering to a specific interest group,” he said in the letter.
This decision, he indicated, not only disregards the potential negative consequences, but also highlights Mahama’s inability to prioritize the welfare of the entire nation.
24-hour economy
In addition, Mr Mahama’s attempts to define a “24-hour economy” have been nothing short of confusing. According to Ernest Opoku Mpeniasah, it is evident that Mr Mahama has not thoroughly considered the implications and challenges associated with such a concept.
“Without a clear understanding of the complexities involved, your proposal appears to be nothing more than a hollow slogan, lacking substance and practicality,” he told Mahama in the letter.
Questionable
Manasseh Azure Awuni has also maintained that nobody or policy can force businesses to extend their hours of operation when there is no demand.
“So, if someone tells you John Mahama’s 24-hour economy is a game changer, ask what game it will change in your village, district, or community. Don’t attack people who question the policy,” he wrote in an article titled “Mahama’s 24-Hour Economy: A Hollow Slogan Or Solid Policy?”
He urged the electorate to probe which additional businesses, industries or state institutions that operate 24 hours aside from those that are happening now.
“Before we join in the cheerleading of pointless slogans, let’s ask our politicians to tell us how they will maximise productivity in the current 8-hour schedule,” he said.
Mr Awuni pointed out that it takes about two hours to travel between two U.S. cities that are of the distance between Accra and Takoradi.
“On a bad day in Ghana, you can still be in Budumburam near Kasoa, two hours after leaving Circle in a car. In the best of times, it will take you more than four hours to make a journey that takes you two hours elsewhere to travel that same distance. Let’s ask our politicians to help us remove the thorns pricking our feet before we fall for their promises to help us clear those on our way,” he insisted.
Clueless of policy
Again, an independent parliamentary candidate for Nkoranza North, Charles Owusu, has challenged Mahama over his proposed 24-hour economy policy.
According to him, even the proponent does not understand the policy he is pushing down the throat of Ghanaians.
“As it stands now, we are all very confused about this 24-hour economy policy because the things the NDC communicators are saying clearly show they themselves don’t understand the policy. Mahama should mount the stage and tell us what his 24-hour economy is about,” Charles Owusu demanded in an interview on Accra-based Peace FM.
Redefining modern politics
In contrast, Dr. Bawumia has been redefining modern politics with his focus on facts and issues. His emphasis on the introduction of technology to boost economic growth and fight corruption is seen by many as commendable.
The paper has gathered that Bawumia’s messages, characterized by a welcoming tone and emphasis on unity, have struck a chord with many Ghanaians.
For instance, during a parliamentary debate, the Chairman of the Trade, Industry and Tourism Committee, Carlos Ahenkorah, said Ghanaians can now make payments for electricity and water charges around the clock due to the implementation of digital payment systems.
“We’re already experiencing this 24-hour economy in Ghana due to the intelligence of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia,” he said. He stated that, currently, even in some areas, “you have to pay for water and electricity through some digitalized means”. “Is that not what a 24 hour economy is? You are only trying to find new ways to justify our digital economy and you’re using 24-hour economy,” he argued.
The Co-Chair of the Ghana Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (GHEITI), Dr Steve Manteaw, has stated that the Vice-President’s policy initiatives could help salvage the country from its current difficulties.
“However, I think the 2024 general election would be determined by who can be trusted, and so it is not a mere rhetoric of policies to be implemented,” he said in an interview when Dr Bawumia outlined his vision for Ghana.
In an article, titled “24 Hour Economy already exists in Ghana and is not a new policy”, Dr. Emmanuel Mensah Asiedu, Director & Educational Consultant Pinnacle Amofahba Education and International Recruitment Services in UK & Ghana, has explained that 24-hour economy as a new way of doing business already exists in Ghana and it is working.
“What, in my opinion, needs to be done to strengthen and widen it from the hospitality and the essential services sector to other sectors,” he said.
According to him, it is not a new policy and should not be seen as such.
Rather, he suggested more needs to be done for expansion to other sectors and make it workable, adding “as this is an ongoing economic system impacting the shape of Ghana’s, economy”.
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