BY Daniel Bampoe
As the New Patriotic Party (NPP) prepares for its next electoral journey, former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has emerged as a central unifying figure, steadily rebuilding bridges across party lines and reconciling long-standing internal divisions ahead of the 2028 general elections.
Dr. Bawumia’s recent campaign tour across parts of the Greater Accra Region — including Ablekuma South, Okaikoi South, Okaikoi Central and Ablekuma North — has been marked not only by energetic grassroots engagement but also by powerful symbolic moments of reconciliation that underscore his message of unity, inclusion and collective purpose.
One of the most striking scenes from the tour came from Ablekuma North, where two former Members of Parliament and long-time political rivals — Akua Afriyie and Sheila Bartels — were seen together on the same platform, campaigning side by side for Dr. Bawumia.
Their public show of unity sent a strong signal to party supporters nationwide.
The history between the two women reflects the intense internal contests that have shaped the constituency over the years.
Akua Afriyie was the sitting MP when the New Patriotic Party came to power in 2017.
However, ahead of the 2020 elections, she lost the party’s parliamentary primaries to Sheila Bartels, who went on to win the general election and represent Ablekuma North in Parliament.
In 2023, political fortunes shifted again when Akua Afriyie returned to reclaim the NPP parliamentary slot in the primaries, positioning herself as the party’s candidate for the 2024 elections.
However, her defeat in the general election was mired in controversy, with party supporters describing the outcome as one of the most troubling electoral experiences in Ghana’s recent history.
Against this backdrop of rivalry and disappointment, Dr. Bawumia’s ability to bring both women together on a single platform has been widely interpreted as a testament to his conciliatory leadership style.
Party insiders note that the Vice President has consistently prioritized reconciliation, having personally visited all his former competitors during the NPP flagbearer race in 2023 to mend fences and foster unity.
Political observers say this approach has reinforced Dr. Bawumia’s image as a consensus builder — a leader who values inclusion over division.
His supporters believe this quality will be critical as the party reorganizes itself for the 2028 elections following its time in opposition.
Addressing party faithful during his Greater Accra tour, Dr. Bawumia emphasized that unity at all levels of the party remains the cornerstone of his political vision.
He expressed gratitude to supporters for their continued confidence and urged them to remain committed to the collective goal of rebuilding and strengthening the NPP from the grassroots upward.
“The unity I see across constituencies gives me hope,” he noted, adding that the party’s strength lies in its ability to bring everyone on board, regardless of past contests or differences.
