By: Richmond Keelson, Canada, Ontario

In a striking move, former Vice President Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is making a desperate attempt to shake off the sting of his electoral defeat. This time, he takes refuge in a personal letter, accusing President Mahama of alleged “ills” committed in less than two months in office.

“I need to speak up on the recent developments in our democracy. To look away while these ills persist is to abandon my responsibility to remind President Mahama and his government of their overriding duty to uphold the democratic principles enshrined in the 1992 Constitution and to do justice ‘right to all manner of persons,’” parts of Bawumia’s letter state.

In this piece, I will take an unconventional approach. I will step into the role of a host and attempt to get into the mindset of the former Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, exploring why he has suddenly awakened from his slumber to pen such an epistle to the Jubilee House.

The responses in this imaginary interview with Dr. Bawumia may not necessarily reflect his actual views on the subject. However, I submit that they will provide readers—and many Ghanaians—with deeper insights into the thorny issue of transition appointments and dismissals.

So, picture this: Yours truly on set with the failed presidential candidate of the NPP, Dr. Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia. I am hosting a current affairs program on the national broadcaster, interviewing him specifically about his letter to the sitting President. However, before delving into the grievances outlined in his letter, I seek clarity on his status within the NPP hierarchy. Many Ghanaians are eager to know his position in the party following his ignominious defeat.

Host: Respectfully, sir, what is your status within the NPP? Before the elections, you were the party’s leader, having taken over from former President Akufo-Addo. Now, in opposition, does the Chairman assume leadership? Many Ghanaians are curious—where do you stand within the party hierarchy after your defeat?

Bawumia: Does that really matter? Don’t I have the right to speak out when things are going wrong? My locus is irrelevant when it comes to issues affecting governance and the democratic space, especially so soon after President Mahama’s assumption of office.

Host: But your letter to the President appears reactionary, especially following a similar one from Minority Leader 

Afenyo-Markin. Are you concerned that he is overshadowing you as a de facto leader of the party?

Bawumia: Not at all. As Minority Leader, Hon. Afenyo-Markin is constitutionally mandated to hold the government accountable. He is fulfilling a constitutional mandate.

Host: Then what’s the purpose of both of you raising the same concerns with the President? Isn’t this redundant?

Bawumia: (Jerks slightly, offering a strained smile.) I see nothing wrong in reinforcing the concerns already raised by the Minority. It only amplifies the urgency of the matter before the Jubilee House.

Host: What do you say to those within your party who believe your letter was influenced by the sudden rise of Ken Agyapong—particularly his growing appeal in the Ashanti Region during the Council of State elections and his upcoming youth entrepreneurship program in Sunyani?

Bawumia: (I can imagine Bawumia’s ardent supporters—Abayefa Karbo, Dr. Gideon Boako, and Dr. Mustapha Hamid—growing visibly uneasy, murmuring, perhaps even cursing the interviewer. Yet, Bawumia remains composed and obliges.) Well, I’m not aware of the specifics you’re referring to. The last election is behind us, and the next one is in 2028. My focus now is on ensuring that Ghana functions well, that its people can live and feed in peace, and that good governance prevails.

Host: In your letter, you state: “Since assuming office, however, the government of President Mahama has pursued a series of actions targeting Ghanaians who were legitimately employed during the previous administration.” Can you outline the specific pattern of dismissals that justify calling it a ‘series?’

Bawumia: There’s no need to downplay the severity of dismissing duly employed Ghanaians by reducing it to mere semantics. Has the government not dismissed public sector workers who were recruited through due process and employed accordingly?

Host: In effect, you agree that there hasn’t been a series of dismissals, correct?

Bawumia: Ghanaians have been dismissed. Is that not enough cause for concern?

Host: Mr. Vice President, part of your statement reads: “It is ironic that a party which campaigned on the promise of jobs for all Ghanaians is now arbitrarily dismissing the same Ghanaians—rendering them jobless—simply because they were employed by a different government to contribute their skills to national development and earn a livelihood for themselves and their families.” My question is, during your eight years in power, did you employ every Ghanaian who need job?

Bawumia: You know that’s not possible. However, we did not sack government workers arbitrarily or capriciously.

Host: Let me remind you of the aftermath of the 2016 elections, when public sector workers were dismissed by your government on the grounds that they were “rushed through the process.” A notable example was within the Ghana Education Service.

Bawumia: I am not aware of that. But even if it did happen, should we continue harming the very people we swore to protect and represent? This practice must stop at some point.

Host: At what point Sir? It should have ended when you phased out public sector employees suspected to be NDC supporters in 2017? Is that the case? 

Bawumia: Stop being disingenuous. We need to stop the practice. It’s not about the appropriate time. 

Host: The Majority Leader, Hon. Mahama Ayariga, has stated that their transition team warned your administration about the rushed recruitment of individuals believed to be NPP sympathizers into the public sector—many of whom allegedly did not go through the proper recruitment process. Are you aware of this discussion?

Bawumia: I was not part of the Transition Team meetings at the time. But in any case, are NPP supporters not Ghanaians?

Host: They are, Sir. So why were they “smuggled” in at the last minute if everything was done properly?

Bawumia: We didn’t smuggle anyone in. To the best of my knowledge, they were qualified Ghanaians.

Host: You had eight years in power to employ people into the public sector. Don’t you think this last-minute rush raises suspicions?

Bawumia: Every moment within our eight-year tenure was an opportunity to employ any qualified Ghanaian into the public sector.

Host: If you had won the election, would you have fast-tracked the employment process as you did?

Bawumia: We had plans to employ people, so I believe we would have done the same.

Host: Even at the risk of over-bloating government expenditure? Especially while under an IMF program that required strict fiscal discipline.

Bawumia: We had planned to employ people, and the process could have possibly started late last year.

Host: Let me quote another area of concern in your statement: “The least a party that campaigned on jobs could do under conditions of unemployment is to innovate and create jobs rather than dismiss people. Regrettably, these dismissals have even extended to directors, who are public servants and not politicians.” You’re not implying that politicians among the affected workers can be dismissed?

Bawumia: That’s not what I am suggesting. But even if we were to consider that argument, why should directors—who are career public servants—be affected?

Host: Can you provide names of these directors? Were they part of those allegedly rushed through the process?

Bawumia: The point I am emphasizing is that even public servants were affected.

Host: Thank you very much for your time.

Bawumia: It’s a pleasure talking to you.