The search for a running mate started zooming. Nana Akufo-Addo who has the final say as to who and the qualities he wants came under undue pressure. Names upon names dropped in. Some even formed media advocacy groups to push for the slot. The hard nut and unpredictable he has always been, ‘Naana Na Sure’ never felt the pressure.

He made sure his forces are in place. To him, at the set date when his overlords demand from him who his lieutenant is, he will gladly present the person and will never ask for any extra time to do so.

So he continued with his work of campaigning, knowing very well his choice will only complement his vision for the nation.

The day came and the sheep was far more ready to be laid on the altar. The Isaac of the North, the flesh and blood of the northern substance, the embodiment of the vision and spirit of northern development, was driving on the high streets of Accra everyday with no idea that he was the one prepared to be slaughtered for the sake of his people.

The bell finally rang Nana to come and present his sheep. Bombshell! Hell broke loose and here was Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the unknown profile in Ghana ’s politics, the technocrat with traditional and professional substance, himself wondering if he was in the right place at the right time. The rest is history. He was taken through the mill for four days to learn the art of political talk during Nana’s tour of the Central Region. He never talked on the platform. He was just introduced by the man who needed him to partner with.

Watching him closely, I realised he first organised himself to enjoy the whole political process. Then the passion to feel an important part followed, and the conviction that he is after all good at doing it climaxed it. That was a mark of a good learner.

Two days later he took off to present himself to his ancestral home. The land of much substance! The land whose potential is yet to be fully tapped!! The adage goes that we will know the real length of the frog when it is dead. So was the case when Bawumia introduced himself to his people. Little did we know that the name Bawumia is a hard commodity to come-by; very much respected and gladdens the heart of every northerner.

“People have always associated John Mahama with a northern substance for the new political leadership from our land but I can tell you today that the 'product Bawumia' surpasses that. Indeed, it is a reputable household name with the substance, integrity and value around which you can confidently rely on to galvanise the modern northern people,” Adida of Tumu stated. So how substantive is the name Bawumia to the leadership of northern Ghana? Naa Anwabiri of Kaleo called the name “the stalwart in modern human development of Ghana.” Yagbonwura described the name as the pillar of northern development while the chiefs and people of Bulenga associated it with development, co-existence and peace.

“We can never have any better person than the son of our great son late Bawumia to lead us politically in our common struggle for peace, development and co-existence,” the spokesman said.

Many other people spoke of their delight for Bawumia. “For me he embodies the real substance for development and professionalism, and also serves as the bridge to eliminate the north-south divide,” declared Abdul Abinga of Gwollu. Kofi Bashiro of Bolgatanga called Dr Bawumia the real substance of hope for the modern youth. He indicated that on a scale of 10 point substance scale Bawumia will take a cool 9 point trailing his senior brother John Mahama with 6 points. “It is crystal clear that Mahama can never match the pedigree of Bawumia. His credentials at age 44 achieved without any political position or involvement surpass all that Mahama can boast of including his political achievements,” Kofi added.

Mustapha Karim said that Bawumia reminds him of what Osafo-Maafo said when John Mahama asked him in 2001 at the appointment committee that which of the former finance ministers will he like to be associated with. He told Mahama “I am a self-made man”. Bawumia is a self-made man, an icon of his generation and a force emerging at its own time and at its own pace, Karim noted.

Majeed Inusah of Bolgatanga sums it up by saying that “the best person now who has the substance and credibility to mediate the various strands of our conflicts is Dr Bawumia because he has nothing that identifies him with any group involved in our conflicts.

It is obvious that Bawumia has the substance and leadership potential to make northern Ghana a place of hope for Ghanaians. His substance, indeed, surpasses that of Mahama and that is how his own people see him. He is just a real substance beyond measure!