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Bawumia will face tough scrutiny if elected flagbearer – Asah Asante
Political scientist and Head of the Centre for European Studies at the University of Ghana, Dr Kwame Asah Asante, has warned that former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia will face intense scrutiny from political opponents if he emerges as flagbearer.
Dr Asah Asante shared his views while assessing the strengths and weaknesses of leading contenders in the ongoing flagbearer contest.
He acknowledged that opinion polls currently favour Dr Bawumia, noting that many of the surveys are based on scientific methods.
However, he cautioned that popularity alone does not guarantee electoral victory.
According to him, politics goes beyond winning internal contests and opinion polls, stressing that a candidate must be able to attract votes nationwide and ultimately secure power.
Dr Asah Asante explained that a candidate may look strong on posters and surveys but still struggle to convince voters during a general election.
He argued that what matters most is whether the candidate has the full set of leadership qualities needed to win power.
Touching on Dr Bawumia’s prospects, he noted that if the former Vice President is elected, the opposition will rely heavily on recordings and past statements linked to his time in government.
He mentioned issues such as the National Cathedral project, the Pwalugu Dam, job losses, and what he described as weaknesses of the previous administration.
Dr Asah Asante explained that even if Dr Bawumia was not directly responsible for some of these issues, his association with the former government would work against him.
He stressed that these matters would likely be used to question his credibility and performance.
He commented on Kennedy Agyapong, describing him as energetic and full of ideas.
However, he pointed out that Mr Agyapong’s past public outbursts and recorded statements could also be used against him during a national campaign.
Dr Asah Asante concluded that both leading contenders have strengths, but they also carry political baggage that opponents are likely to exploit in a general election contest.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Ghana Tourism Development Company, GTDC, under the leadership of Prof.Kobby Mensah has launched GTDC Campus Tourism Office at the University of Ghana.
The initiative aims to promote educational and domestic tourism by providing structured campus tour experiences showcasing key heritage sites, including the Archaeology Museum and the School of Performing Arts.
It will also offer students their first travel experience across the continent and inculcate in them love to visit Ghana’s heritage sites.
Addressing the gathering at the launch yesterday, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, described tourism as a vehicle for education and heritage preservation, stressing that the sector must inspire citizens to value and protect national culture for future generations.
The minister highlighted tourism’s connection to disciplines such as history, the arts, economics and environmental science.
The minister further noted that the private sector is the engine of tourism economy, adding that the engines require fuel, which is talents.” by investing in these young people today, you are securing the quality, the innovation and competitiveness of our own industry for tomorrow.
She added that the establishment of the office represents a deliberate investment in the intellectual capital of the country.
The GTDC boss, Prof.Kobby Mensah, said,”at GTDC, we believe that if our tourism has to be sustainable, we have to promote domestic tourism and a very big part of it is getting students to appreciate tourism and helping them to organise tours.”
He added that the University of Ghana itself is a huge heritage site which must be explored.
Prof.Kobby Mensah noted that the initiative, which is one of many to be established across the country, is a joint partnership between GTDC and University of Ghana.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof.Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, said the University is a custodian of heritage which goes beyond the structures and welcomed the establishment of the first Campus Tourism Office.
She was optimistic that the office would be put to good use to achieve the intended purpose.
The launch brought together Stakeholders reaffirming their commitment to nurturing future tourism and hospitality professionals.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Ghana has officially accepted an invitation to serve as Guest Country at Burkina Faso’s 22nd National Culture Week in Bobo-Dioulasso from April 22 to May 2, 2026.
The invitation was extended by Burkina Faso’s Minister of Communication, Culture, Arts and Tourism, Gilbert Noël Ouédraogo, accompanied by the Ambassador of Burkina Faso to Ghana, H.E. David Kabré.
Receiving the delegation, Abla Dzifa Gomashie reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to deepening cultural diplomacy and strengthening historic ties between the two nations.
She noted that the festival will create opportunities for young creatives, expand exhibition platforms and promote commercial exchange within the creative sector.
The event will feature cultural performances, a community village and gastronomy fair, an arts market, literary engagements, and a craft and trade fair.
Ghana’s participation is expected to further strengthen bilateral relations between John Dramani Mahama and Ibrahim Traoré, while fostering collaboration within the creative ecosystems of both countries.
