BY Daniel Bampoe
Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, have put to rest weeks of speculation about a strained relationship after being spotted together in public, sharing hearty conversations and laughter.
The two political figures, whose bond has been a subject of heated political gossip since the 2024 elections, made a rare joint appearance at the one-week observance of legendary musician Daddy Lumba’s passing, held at Black Star Square in Accra.
They were earlier seen later at the funeral of the Akwatia MP, Ernest Yaw Kumi on Friday
Breaking The Rumours
For months, sections of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and even factions within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) claimed Nana Akufo-Addo has distanced himself from Dr Bawumia after the 2024 elections.
Bawumia, despite enjoying the full weight of government machinery under Akufo-Addo’s second term, lost the presidential race, a defeat many commentators linked to alleged lukewarm support from his boss as well as last minute decisions the government took.
The narrative was further fueled by whispers that Akufo-Addo has dumped Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and is now pushing Dr Bryan Acheampong, the Member of Parliament for Abetifi as the next flagbearer for NPP.
Some NPP insiders pointed to the emergence of pro-Acheampong groups claiming tacit support from the former President.
However, their open show of camaraderie at the Black Star Square — captured in videos of Nana Akufo-Addo bursting into laughter while chatting with Dr Bawumia — appears to have punctured such claims.
Political analysts say the moment confused their critics and “broke the hearts” of propagandists who were banking on a visible rift.
Long Political Journey Together
Dr. Bawumia, a former Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana during President John Agyekum Kufuor’s era, first stepped into mainstream politics in 2008 when Akufo-Addo selected him as his running mate.
Although the pair lost that election, they remained a political duo through three election cycles.
It was under Akufo-Addo’s presidency that Dr Mahamudu Bawumia rose to prominence, serving as Vice President for eight years before winning the NPP’s flagbearership to contest the 2024 general elections.
In the run-up to the 2024 general elections, Nana Akufo-Addo publicly declared on several occasions that he intended to hand over the presidency to his deputy, pledging his unwavering support.
But Dr Bawumia’s eventual loss in the polls sparked accusations from some NPP members that Akufo-Addo had abandoned his protégé at a crucial moment.
The speculation of discord grew louder in the months that followed.
A Political Signal?
By sitting side by side and exchanging laughter at such a high-profile event, Akufo-Addo and Bawumia may have sent a strong political signal — that their bond remains intact despite the swirling rumours.
For now, whether Akufo-Addo will openly declare support for Bawumia in any future contest or lean towards another candidate, such as Bryan Acheampong, remains to be seen.
But their latest public display has, at least for the moment, silenced talk of animosity and reshaped the narrative within the political circles.
