Lecturers urge electorate to vote Bawumia - The Daily Statesman Newspaper

By Bright Philip Donkor

A group of over 3,000 university lecturers from across Ghana’s 15 public universities, under the banner of Lecturers for FREE SHS – Ghana, has endorsed Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s candidacy for the presidency in Saturday’s general elections.

In a letter addressed to the people of Ghana, and signed by Prof. Isaac Boadi, Convener, and Dr. Justice Addo, General Secretary of the group, they commended the Vice President for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to the country’s development, urging citizens to renew their support for the government under the leadership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Consistency

The group highlighted Dr. Bawumia’s consistent focus on progressive policies, especially in education, and his instrumental role in the government’s flagship initiatives such as Free Senior High School (SHS), digitalization and infrastructure development.

According to the lecturers, Dr. Bawumia’s leadership has been characterized by pragmatism, integrity and a deep understanding of the country’s needs.

“We believe that Dr. Bawumia’s leadership has brought about significant transformation in key sectors, especially education. His policies have given countless children the opportunity to receive quality education through the Free SHS program, which has bridged inequality gaps and provided a brighter future for the youth of Ghana,” the group stated.

In their statement, the lecturers emphasised that Dr. Bawumia’s vision aligned closely with the core values of the NPP, which champions progress, development and inclusivity. The NPP’s focus on economic empowerment, good governance and social protection has, according to the group, laid a solid foundation for a prosperous future for all Ghanaians.

Commitment

Furthermore, the lecturers underscored the government’s commitment to modernization through investments in digital infrastructure, road network expansion, and healthcare, positioning Ghana as a resilient and forward-looking nation.

The group described former President John Mahama’s leadership they as “inconsistent and lacking the vision” needed for the future of Ghana. “Dr. Bawumia stands tall among the presidential candidates, offering clear, actionable solutions for the future of this country. His main opponent, Mr. John Mahama, continues to flip-flop on key issues, showing signs of a weak leadership unable to address the challenges that lie ahead,” they noted.

They reiterated the crucial role of education in the national development agenda, arguing that academia must support governments that prioritize educational reforms and good governance. “By aligning with administrations that invest in education, such as the current NPP-led government, academia plays a pivotal role in ensuring that educational policies succeed and that the nation’s educational system thrives.

“The relationship between academia and government is symbiotic. Governments with good educational policies empower academia, and in turn, academia strengthens these initiatives with research, innovation, and expertise. By supporting such administrations, we fulfill our role as catalysts for national development,” the lecturers stated.

Infrastructure

The group also praised the NPP for its dedication to infrastructural projects, such as the Agenda 111 policy to build modern hospitals in every district, the expansion of the railway system, and the push for a digitized economy. They emphasised the importance of continuing the work already begun, especially in creating more job opportunities for the youth through the 1D1F (One District, One Factory) policy.

They stated: “We want an upgrade of education for all under the FREE SHS policy , a modernized and state of the art equipped hospital in every district in Ghana under the AGENDA 111 policy , continuous expansion of our Railway system and road network expansion, an electric transport system to cut down cost of transportation, a digitized economy that seeks to cut off waste in our system, an industrialized economy with more factories to provide good jobs for the youth under the 1D 1F policy and many more”..

“Our call to the people of Ghana is simple: Vote for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia on December 7th, 2024. Under his leadership, we are confident that the progress we’ve made will be consolidated, and the challenges ahead will be tackled head-on. It is possible with Dr. Bawumia, it is possible with the NPP, and it is possible with Ghana,” the letter added.