Former Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo, has mounted a strong defence of former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia amid growing internal debate within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) over responsibility for the party’s economic record in government.
Addressing party delegates as the NPP’s presidential primaries gather momentum, Adwoa Safo dismissed claims that Dr Bawumia was chiefly responsible for the economic difficulties experienced under the party’s administration, describing such assertions as misleading and unfair.
She argued that Dr Bawumia’s position did not grant him ultimate authority over economic policy decisions, pointing instead to the central role played by the former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, and the broader government machinery.
According to her, attempts to single out Dr Bawumia ignore the realities of decision-making within government, where the Vice President does not wield unilateral control. She stressed that policy direction was shaped at higher levels and through collective processes.
Using a vivid analogy, Adwoa Safo likened Dr Bawumia’s role to that of a “driver’s mate,” explaining that he could not override decisions even when outcomes proved problematic. She questioned why critics now seek to place full responsibility on the former Vice President when concerns about economic management were previously directed at other officials.
Her comments come in response to criticisms from some aspirants in the ongoing NPP flagbearer contest, who have cited the party’s economic performance as grounds to challenge Dr Bawumia’s suitability as presidential candidate.
Despite the criticism, Adwoa Safo maintained that Dr Bawumia remains the strongest option to lead the NPP, urging delegates to focus on his vision, experience and capacity to unify the party ahead of the 2026 general elections.
The NPP is scheduled to elect its presidential candidate on January 31, 2026. Dr Bawumia is contesting the slot alongside former Assin Central MP Kennedy Agyapong, former Food and Agriculture Minister Dr Bryan Acheampong, former Education Minister Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, and former NPP General Secretary Kwabena Agyapong.
