Sylvester Sarpong, often known as Soprano, the National Communication Director for the Convention People’s Party (CPP), has voiced concerns over Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s presidential campaign.
He questioned Bawumia’s decision to run for president at this time because, in his opinion, his time serving as vice president did not result in any notable accomplishments.
On May 31, 2023, he stressed during a panel discussion on Neat FM that Dr. Bawumia had several opportunities as vice president to have a beneficial impact on the country, but he was unable to take use of them.
He continued by saying that if Bawumia had any transformative intentions for Ghana, he ought to have carried them out while serving as vice president.
“So, what at all does Dr. Bawumia has that he wants to come and rule Ghanaians, that he can’t do it by this time, because he is vice president already, I mean if President Akufo-Addo is sick he is president, if President Akufo-Addo travels, he is president.
“So, what at all does vice president Bawumia want to do for Ghanaians that he cannot do it right now? Or does it mean that President Akufo-Addo has blocked him or what? because you see vice president Bawumia is actually the head of the economic management team, and for him, he is more disastrous than Ken Ofori-Atta, so if I look at vice president Bawumia, I see that he takes Ghanaians for granted,” he said.
He then prayed for divine intervention, begging with God to save the country from suffering under Dr. Bawumia’s prospective rule.
“…what is it that Vice President Bawumia wants to do? And when you look at President Akufo-Addo’s speech he said that Bawumia was my reliable supporter in the darkest most tiring time, so he is a good friend to the president… we are looking for a new type of leadership in this country and it is clear that Dr. Bawumia is not that type of leader…so when I look at Dr. Bawumia my greatest prayer that I pray is that, oh Lord we know Ghanaians are sinners but don’t continue to punish us with a leader like Dr. Bawumia, Dear Lord please we beg you,” he added.
So far, seven potential flagbearer candidates have obtained their candidacy papers to run in the NPP presidential election. Boakye Agyarko, a former minister of energy, Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, Francis Addai-Nimoh, Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, a former general secretary of the NPP, Dr. Owusu Afriyie, a former minister of food and agriculture, Alan Kyerematen, and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia are among them.