The running mate of Nana Akufo-Addo, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia, was given a rousing welcome by the people of the Central Region, when he joined the 2008 Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party on his campaign tour of the region.

In towns and villages, everywhere the 44-year-old Dr Bawumia was introduced by Nana Akufo-Addo, the wild jubilation and rapturous applause that followed were indicative of the region’s satisfaction with what has been described as “the best team to move Ghana forward into the future.”

A cross section of supporters who went wild over the Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana cited his good looks, youthfulness, intelligence and his determination and self belief to accept yet another challenge to help the NPP sustain the progress of national development as reasons for their support. “For a young man of his stature to exhibit such a great level of courage to accept the responsibility to be part of the new leadership for national development gives much hope to our generation and our children,” noted an enthusiastic 25 year old student Prince Aduamoah of Mankessim.

“He is like John Mahama but with much more substance,” said a young man at Brakwa, who only described himself as Kwame, a Polytechnic student. “He is handsome, speaks softly, hates insults, gives credit where credit is due and above all the man is very, very intelligent and deep when it comes to where it matters most, the economy,” stressed Kwame.

Though Bawumia has not delivered a word on the platform during the tour, the positive responses he has so far got for just being introduced indicates that he will send supporters wild in jubilation when he starts his tour of the three northern regions next Tuesday.