A coalition of 220 former Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) who served under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration from 2017 to 2024 has declared full support for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as the party’s flagbearer for the 2028 general elections.
At a press conference held at the Alisa Hotel in Accra on Monday, June 23, the group, known as the Forum of Former MMDCEs for Dr. Bawumia, announced their “strong, unshaken endorsement” of the former Vice President. Their backing comes ahead of the party’s internal elections slated for January 31, 2026.
The forum described its support as more than symbolic, stressing that it is a practical commitment of time, resources, and political effort to help secure Dr. Bawumia’s candidacy and eventual victory.
According to the group, after extensive consultations with all aspirants and a thorough assessment of their competence and vision, they were convinced that Dr. Bawumia stood out as the most suitable leader for both the party and the country.
“Our endorsement is not merely symbolic; it is a strategic and operational commitment. With 95% of us having previously served as Constituency and Regional Executives—some for over 16 years—we possess an intimate understanding of the NPP’s structures, dynamics, and electoral needs. We will deploy this experience to ensure Dr. Bawumia’s message resonates in every corner of Ghana,” they said.
They praised Dr. Bawumia for his proven record in public service, especially his leadership in Ghana’s digital transformation, including the rollout of the Ghana Card, mobile money interoperability, and the paperless ports system. These, they said, had improved efficiency and formalised key sectors of the economy.
The forum also commended Dr. Bawumia’s inclusive leadership style, describing him as accessible, humble, and a unifier who engages with all factions of the party. His popularity with the grassroots, youth, and floating voters, they noted, gives the NPP a competitive advantage heading into the next national elections.
They argued that Dr. Bawumia’s national appeal and widespread recognition—established during the 2024 campaign—make him the party’s strongest bet for the presidency in 2028.
According to them, the electoral data suggests that beginning the campaign with a known candidate like Dr. Bawumia offers the NPP a significant head start, unlike the risk of fielding a new candidate with no established base.
The former MMDCEs said they view Dr. Bawumia as a leader who balances continuity and innovation, capable of upholding Ghana’s development gains while introducing new ideas for national progress.
They further pledged to mobilise their grassroots networks across all 16 regions of the country to support his campaign.
“We, the former MMDCEs, are not just endorsing—we are activating our networks. We will: Mobilise at the grassroots in all 16 regions, leveraging our deep-rooted connections. Engage in door-to-door campaigns, articulating Dr. Bawumia’s vision. Counter misinformation with facts about his achievements and potential. Resource the campaign through fundraising and logistical support.”
Source: citinewsroom.com
The Minority in Parliament has strongly criticised the government’s decision to proceed with the controversial Energy Sector Recovery Levy, warning of a sustained nationwide campaign to resist what they describe as a “draconian” and unjust tax measure.
In a press briefing on Monday, June 9, the caucus stated that it had become clear that the government intended to forge ahead with the implementation of the levy despite widespread opposition.
In response, they announced a series of planned actions aimed at mobilising public resistance and demanding greater accountability.
“It is already clear that the government intends to go ahead with the implementation of this draconian levy. We want to advertise that we would be embarking on the following: We will continuously engage the people of Ghana, civil society groups, driver unions and the media to showcase the true impact of these draconian taxes and the negative levy that the government is imposing on us,” the Minority said.
The Minority also reiterated its support for driver unions, the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies, and other stakeholders who have openly called for the levy to be withdrawn or at least subjected to broader consultation.
“We would continue to stand with groups of honest Ghanaians, the driver unions, the Chamber of Oil Marketers who are opposing the levy or asking government to pull back and to engage better—not to go by this midnight introduction into Parliament and using their numbers to push it through. We know the government has a lot of goodwill, but this is not the way to do things,” the group declared.
Echoing concerns from industry players, the Minority warned that the new levy would worsen the already heavy tax burden on fuel, pushing the total tax component at the pump to approximately 26%.
“We will continue to stand in solidarity with the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies in their position that this downstream sector is already heavily over-taxed. If you add this new levy, effectively about 26% of what you are paying at the pump is all taxes,” they stated.
The called on the government to withdraw the levy and adopt “less painful and more pragmatic options” for dealing with the financial challenges in the energy sector.
The levy, passed under the Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2025, on June 3, is meant to raise revenue to address Ghana’s power sector debt and ensure a stable electricity supply. It is expected to take effect on June 16.
Source: myjoyonline.com