~ H.E. John Agyekum Kufuor, Former President of the Republic of Ghana
Born into a politically-astute family, Dr. Bawumia's rise in politics has been meteoric, but that should not be a surprise, considering the background of his father, Alhaji Mumuni Bawumia, as one of the most iconic political figures to emerge from the Northern part of the country.
Dr. Bawumia's father actively participated in politics, right from the grassroot up to the national level. From being the State Secretary to the Mamprusi Native Authority to a seat on the Northern Territories Council, Alhaji Mumuni Bawumia rose through the ranks as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (Parliament), Minister of State and then the first Chairman of the Council of State in the 4th Republic.
The significant role of Dr. Bawumia's father played in the formation of the Northern People's Party is widely acknowledged. Together with other northern political stalwarts such as S.D. Dombo, Yakubu Tali Tolon Naa, J.A. Braimah Kabachewura and Mr. J.A. Nagba, they became the founders and kingpins of the Northern People's Party, which pushed for the development of the Northern Territory, as the north was then called.
The Northern People's Party, with Dr. Bawumia's father deeply involved, would later join forces with their colleagues in the South, to form the formidable United Party (UP), the political tradition of the New Patriotic Party.
Since his emergence in frontline politics in 2008 (when he was serving nation as Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana) , Dr. Bawumia has endeared himself so well and he is widely acknowledged as one of the most respected and impactful politicians of our time.
It is, therefore, not surprising that he is the only person in the history of the country to be selected as a running mate on four consecutive occasions; 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020, and emerging as Vice President in the last two presidential elections in 2016 and 2020 respectively
Surely, Dr. Bawumia has registered so many highs in his political life. However, his starring role as the NPP's lead witness at the 2012 elections petition at the Supreme Court, is undoubtedly, one of his highest points. Through his stellar performance at the Supreme Court, terms like “Pinksheet” and “You and I were not there” entered the lexicon of Ghanaian politics.
As a four-time running mate, Dr. Bawumia has endeared himself as a reliable partner for Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the NPP, campaigning so tirelessly to help win political power for the NPP. And as Vice President, his dedication, loyalty, hard work and impact are never in doubt. Indeed, he is widely regarded as the most impactful Vice President Ghana has ever had, having been at the forefront of a number of major government policies.
Dr. Bawumia is a consummate politician, who, in political discourse, believes in speaking to issues with data and facts. Dr. Bawumia, through his data-laden presentations explaining government policies, has carved a niche for himself as a rare politician who does not engage in the toxic politics of insults, but one who focuses on issues. Dr. Bawumia is a politician who relishes a challenge of doing things and implementing policies that have not been done before. He has a passion for making sure the poor and the vulnerable are not excluded from the development process.