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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
MTN Ghana has hosted more than 200 students from various educational institutions in Accra for an engaging, hands-on technology immersion at MTN House, bringing classroom theory to life and fueling interest in STEM and digital innovation.
Students from Ashesi University, Ghana International School, Cradle Star Academy, and Kinderland School explored MTN Ghana’s rich history, core values, customer-focused innovations, and digital transformation agenda.
They were introduced to the company’s sustainability and social impact initiatives, spanning education, youth empowerment and community development. A key highlight of the visits was a tour of MTN Ghana’s Network Operations Centre (NOC) and data centres.
The students gained first-hand exposure to the advanced technology, systems, and expertise powering seamless connectivity for millions daily – offering a rare look into how MTN ensures network performance, security, and resilience.
Speaking on the initiative, the Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer at MTN Ghana, Adwoa Wiafe, noted, “Hosting students at MTN House reflects our commitment to shaping Ghana’s digital future. As we deliver our Ambition 2030 strategy, we are deepening investments in youth development through programmes like the Bright Scholarship, the MTN Digital Skills Academy, and collaborations on the One Million Coders Programme and the Girls in ICT initiative led by the Ministry of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation.”
Paschal Paaga, Manager for IT Projects Implementation, emphasised the importance of experiential learning.
‘’By opening our doors, we are helping to bridge the gap between academia and industry. We want young people to see the real-world impact of technology and be inspired to pursue careers in STEM.”
For many participants, the experience was transformative. Maame Sapomaa, a Level 300 Information Systems student from Ashesi University, shared, “The visit was incredibly inspiring. Everything we have learned in the classroom came to life, and we were exposed to new concepts beyond our studies. It has motivated me even more to pursue a career in technology.”
As MTN Ghana advances its Ambition 2030 vision, the company remains committed to driving digital inclusion, platform-led innovation, and building strategic partnerships that support Ghana’s long-term socio-economic development.
The Ghana Education Service (GES) has expressed sorrow over the death of two Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates in a road accident in the Upper West Region.
The deceased are Taufi Ibrahim and Abdul Khalid, both students at Chiana Roman Catholic Junior High School.
“Management of the Ghana Education Service has received with profound sorrow the tragic news of the untimely demise of two Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates, Taufi Ibrahim and Abdul Khalid, students of Chiana Roman Catholic Junior High School in the Upper West Region,” a statement issued by Mr Daniel Fenyi, Head of Public Relations, GES, said.
It said preliminary reports indicated that the students died in a road traffic accident on Sunday, May 3, while travelling to Wa ahead of the commencement of the examination.
“We are deeply saddened that these young lives, full of promise and potential, have been cut short under such distressing circumstances.
“Management and staff of GES, and the entire education community, extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, the school, their classmates, and all who have been affected by this tragic incident. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.”
The statement said Management of the GES would continue to liaise with the appropriate authorities to ascertain full details of the incident and consider measures to prevent similar occurrences. –GNA
