Bawumia: NPP must prepare to govern, not heal

Former Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia has called on New Patriotic Party lawmakers to adopt a more assertive and forward-looking role in Parliament as the party begins rebuilding momentum after its 2024 election defeat.

Addressing members of the NPP Minority caucus ahead of the resumption of parliamentary business, Dr Bawumia said the party must now shift from post-election reflection to long-term political preparation aimed at returning to power in 2029.

“We have finished the period of introspection. We must now position ourselves credibly as a party preparing to govern from 7th January 2029,” he told the caucus.

The former Vice President urged Minority MPs to project unity, discipline and readiness in both their parliamentary conduct and engagement with the public, insisting that the NPP must consistently present itself as an alternative government capable of regaining public trust.

According to him, the opposition’s actions in Parliament over the coming years would shape public perception of the party’s readiness for another mandate.

Dr Bawumia also encouraged the caucus to actively defend the policy legacy of previous NPP administrations, pointing to programmes such as the National Health Insurance Scheme, Free SHS, the School Feeding Programme and the Youth Employment Programme as examples of the party’s contribution to national development.

“We must always project this posture, that we are a party preparing to govern. This will send a strong and well-meaning message to the people of Ghana and emphasise our belief that it is only the NPP that can move this nation on a glorious path,” he said.

He further assured the Minority caucus of his continued involvement in shaping strategy and supporting the parliamentary front of the party, revealing that internal coordination structures were being strengthened to improve messaging and political organisation.

“I will be directly involved in supporting you to achieve this. The entire party is also building a strong architecture to support you through the sector committees, so that we sing from the same hymn sheet and act with a coordinated strategy at every point in time,” he added.

The meeting is regarded as one of Dr Bawumia’s clearest signals yet of the direction he expects the party to take following the 2024 elections, particularly as the NPP begins positioning itself for the next electoral cycle.