Bawumia as Presidential candidate

Ghana's Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia was inaugurated at Independence Square in Accra on January 7, 2017. On November 4, 2023, the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) selected Bawumia as its candidate for the presidential election in December 2024. This sets up a competition with former president John Mahama. Bawumia, a 60-year-old economist and former central banker, has been a prominent figure in economic policy during the presidency of Nana Addo Akufo-Addo. He secured 61% of the votes in the second stage of the primary, following an expected lead in the first stage in August. In his acceptance speech, Bawumia pledged to revitalize the economy if elected. Despite the ruling party's historical advantage in elections, no party has won more than two consecutive terms in Ghana. There may be scrutiny of Bawumia's economic track record, given the country's recent economic challenges. Ghana sought a $3 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund due to the strains of COVID-19 and geopolitical events. Bawumia's appointment also represents a move towards greater diversity within the NPP, as he is the first Muslim and the first person outside the dominant Akan-speaking ethnic group to lead the party since 1992.