Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) 2024 presidential candidate, has identified the controversy surrounding the National Cathedral project and a late fuel price increase as key factors that contributed to the party’s defeat in the 2024 general election.
Speaking at the launch of his nationwide Thank You Tour in Takoradi, Dr. Bawumia dismissed claims that his perceived religious affiliations were to blame for the loss. Instead, he pointed to tangible economic and governance issues.
“The national cathedral we were not able to complete after $58 million was sunk into it, caused a lot of rage in the public,” Dr. Bawumia stated. “Also, three days before the election day, the price of fuel went up. When I heard it, I thought it was a joke. The drivers were angry at us. So, people went to vote against us with anger.”
Dr. Bawumia’s remarks come amid internal party discussions on the causes of the 2024 electoral outcome. The NPP has set up a committee, led by Mike Oquaye, to investigate the party’s defeat. Dr. Bawumia expressed satisfaction that the committee’s findings did not point to religious or tribal factors as the cause of the loss.
“I am happy that there is no religious factor, and tribal factor that caused our defeat,” he said.
Dr. Bawumia’s comments highlight the need for the NPP to address pressing economic and governance issues to regain voter trust.