Kwasi Kwarteng blasts Bawumia camp for blaming Akufo-Addo over 2024 loss

Kwasi Kwarteng, spokesperson for Kennedy Agyapong, has launched a pointed critique against Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and his campaign team, accusing them of unfairly attributing their 2024 electoral defeat to former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

Speaking on Radio Tamale 91.7FM’s “Bugum Beni Drive monitored by Kumasimail.com,” Kwarteng responded to questions about the internal dynamics of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) following its loss in the 2024 general elections.

He expressed dismay at what he described as attempts by the Bawumia camp to shift blame onto Akufo-Addo, arguing that such narratives undermine party unity and gratitude.

Kwarteng emphasized that Dr. Bawumia owed a debt of gratitude to Akufo-Addo, who, he noted, had played a pivotal role in Bawumia’s political ascent.

“President Akufo-Addo is not a saint. But how Dr. Bawumia’s campaign has treated him is most unfair. Somebody picks you, makes you his vice presidential candidate at a time when you’re not even a party member. Waives party membership for you, you become a member by default. You went to an election for eight years, he didn’t change you,” Kwarteng stated.

He further highlighted that Akufo-Addo’s support was instrumental in Bawumia’s continued presence in the party’s leadership, even after two terms as vice president.

Kwarteng criticized the Bawumia campaign’s approach during challenging periods, particularly during the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He argued that instead of distancing themselves from difficult government decisions, Bawumia’s team should have demonstrated solidarity and collective responsibility.

“When the Covid struck, the economy shrank and things went a bit haywire. Akufo-Addo is a human being, he has his shortcomings. But I felt that was a time that even Dr. Bawumia’s camp should have joined him in one accord to take responsibility and say that, look, things are hard, but things will change,” Kwarteng said.

He criticized Bawumia’s public statements that appeared to separate himself from unpopular policies, such as the e-levy, and suggested that a more unified communication strategy would have been appropriate.

He explained “But what was the response? They went to give a lecture and say, ‘Bold solutions. I’m not part of this’. Every good thing, he did it. But for all the other difficult decisions, like the e-levy, they said, ‘I’m not part of it, I will change it.’

He continued “The communication should have been something like, Oh, we have understood your plight and your concerns about the e-levy. But at this time, it is necessary. However, I assure you that within the next few months or years, we will take steps to remove it.

Kwarteng dismissed claims that last-minute government decisions, such as fuel price increases, were orchestrated to sabotage Bawumia’s campaign.

“But If you come and throw your balls under the bus and then create the impression that, when you lost the elections, even three days before the election you didn’t know that we were going to increase fuel prices, and that they had already been increased, what kind of communication is that? That we designed a fuel price increment just to cause your failure?”

He described such assertions as misleading and ungrateful, given Akufo-Addo’s role in supporting Bawumia’s rise within the party.

“The same President Akufo-Addo who made sure to remove the DCEs and took all the political decisions to make you our flagbearer?

“If today they feel that President Akufo-Addo is the one who caused his defeat, we leave it to the jury out there. I leave it to the conscience of Ghanaians,” he remarked.

Drawing on personal experience, Kwarteng underscored the importance of loyalty and taking responsibility as a leader.

He explained that, out of principle, he refrains from publicly criticizing those who have given him opportunities, such as the former Education Minister Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, even when disagreements arise.

He said “So, on a personal principle, when the matter concerning Dr. Adutwum is being discussed negatively, I hold a reservation. No matter how much I hold that reservation, I have decided not to talk about it.

“But to come and create the impression that Dr. Adutwum is a bad man and the reason why the Ministry of Education is not functioning properly is that leadership? A leader takes responsibility. A leader takes collective responsibility and says, Look, in spite of A, B, C, and D, in spite of all the wrong, I take responsibility for it. Put the blame on me, but I assure you that I’ll fix it. That is leadership not when you complain and give the impression that your boss caused your failure,” he insisted emphasizing that Dr. Bawumia lacks leadership.