Obiri Boahen Defends Bawumia’s Media Encounter Amid Mahama Criticism, Calls 24-Hour Economy Plan Unrealistic

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Lawyer Nana Obiri Boahen, founder of the Global Movement for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has dismissed accusations from John Mahama and the NDC that Dr. Bawumia’s media engagement was deliberately timed to divert attention from the NDC’s manifesto launch.

Lawyer Nana Obiri Boahen argued that the timing was coincidental and that Bawumia had every right to engage the media.

Dr. Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), held a media briefing in Accra on Sunday, August 25, 2024, to elaborate on his manifesto.

The event aimed to facilitate interaction with the media and offer the public a clearer insight into his vision ahead of the December 7 presidential election.

The Vice President hosted the press just one day after the NDC unveiled its 2024 election manifesto, sparking criticism from John Mahama and other NDC members.

John Dramani Mahama, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, criticised Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for holding a media session on Sunday, August 25, 2025, just a day after the NDC’s manifesto launch.

According to Mahama, the timing of Bawumia’s media encounter was deliberately planned to distract Ghanaians from the NDC’s manifesto.

Mahama also suggested that Dr Bawumia appeared unsettled during the session, pointing to moments of hesitation and stammering as evidence.

He shared these remarks while addressing supporters on the first day of his two-day campaign tour in Ada, as part of his Greater Accra Regional campaign on Tuesday, August 27, 2024.

In an interview on a Kumasi-based radio station, Lawyer Nana Obiri Boahen emphatically asserted that there was no intentional orchestration to hinder the NDC’s manifesto from gaining traction.

He emphasized that the decision to organize the press briefing was entirely Dr. Bawumia’s prerogative, and as such, no one has the authority to cast aspersions or criticize him for it.

He articulated that individuals gravitate toward programs that pique their interest, engaging in discussions on topics they find compelling, and cannot be coerced into watching, listening to, or debating content that does not resonate with their preferences.

Lawyer Nana Obiri Boahen asserted that the NDC’s manifesto, unveiled in the Central Region, failed to present any substantive ideas that could propel Ghana’s development. Instead, he contended, the document merely served to embellish their 24-hour economy proposal, lacking genuine progress-oriented solutions.

Lawyer Nana Obiri Boahen humorously critiqued Mahama’s promise of establishing 24-hour nightclubs, playfully questioning whether Mahama himself hadn’t frequented nightclubs during his younger days.

The former NPP Deputy General Secretary declared that the 24-hour economy policy is not only unviable but also a stillbirth, asserting that it is fundamentally flawed.
He underscored his point by highlighting the prevailing insecurity in various areas of the country.

Regarding Mahama’s pledge to provide free first-year university education, Lawyer Nana Obiri Boahen expressed skepticism about Mahama’s reliability.
He reminded that Mahama had previously criticized the Free SHS program and declared he would not support it even if he had the resources.

Lawyer Nana Obiri Boahen said President Akufo-Addo and Dr. Bawumia have championed and implemented the free SHS program.

The former NPP Deputy General Secretary noted that while Mahama had eliminated teacher and nursing trainee allowances, these were subsequently reinstated by Akufo-Addo and Bawumia

By Evans Manasseh