The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has criticised his political rival, John Dramani Mahama, for what he describes as an outdated approach to economic growth, suggesting the NDC flagbearer’s lack of support for digitalisation makes him unfit to lead in a technology-driven world.

Speaking to a youth gathering on Sunday, 3 November 2024, Dr. Bawumia contended that Mahama’s underestimation of digitalisation’s role in economic progress reflects a backwards-looking perspective, which he claims led to previous economic struggles under Mahama’s leadership.

Dr. Bawumia urged Ghanaians to prioritise digital innovation by voting against Mahama in the upcoming December elections.

“Today, he [Mahama] says there’s no link between digitisation and the economy. Right? How can that be?” Dr. Bawumia questioned.

“In this 4th industrial revolution, how can we have a leader who doesn’t appreciate the value of digitisation, in a digital global economy?”

The NPP candidate underscored his concerns by questioning Mr. Mahama’s understanding of key economic drivers.

“He should not be allowed close to the presidency,” he asserted.

He continued: “A leader who doesn’t understand digitisation in today’s world wants to be President of a country like ours, trying to move forward into the future, no.”

Dr. Bawumia also took aim at Mahama’s emphasis on infrastructure as his hallmark achievement, arguing that the NPP’s digital-first approach better serves Ghana’s economic future.

“He [Mahama] has touted infrastructure as one of his achievements, but because our infrastructure is superior to his. Today, he says infrastructure doesn’t matter for the economy. That the economy is different from infrastructure, how can that be?

“For someone who has been President of Ghana to say the infrastructure doesn’t have anything to do with the economy—then I understand why the economy collapsed under his watch,” Dr. Bawumia stated.

He was particularly sceptical of Mahama’s ‘24-Hour Economy’ proposal, calling the policy unclear and impractical.

“His signature 24-hour economy has defied explanation and understanding. It’s basically a case of one day one explanation, including the rearing of lions and elephants”, Dr. Bawumia noted.

Asserting his readiness to lead with a fresh perspective, he added: “In me, you will have a brand new, tear-rubber president, not a second-hand failed president.”

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