It was barely ten months after an election defeat he had been confident of winning.
The loss in the 2024 general elections left the New Patriotic Party (NPP) bruised and uncertain. Many party faithful were disheartened, still processing the reality of opposition after eight years in government.
Yet, with urgency defining the moment, the party’s National Council adopted an early rebuilding strategy—electing a presidential flagbearer first, even before the wounds of defeat had fully healed.
For former Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the decision meant there was no room to pause.
He dusted himself off and returned to the road.
An Early Start to a Relentless Journey
On October 15, 2025, Dr. Bawumia launched his nationwide campaign from Sene East in the Bono East Region, beginning what would become one of the most extensive grassroots tours in the Fourth Republic.
The campaign, christened “Our Journey Together,” took him to all 276 constituencies, with only brief breaks to attend national and state functions in his capacity as a former Vice President and statesman.
The objective was clear: reconnect with the party base, listen to concerns at the grassroots, and rebuild confidence from the ground up.
Reflection, Unity, and Honest Conversations
Unlike conventional internal campaigns, Our Journey Together was defined by honest reflection rather than recrimination.
At virtually every stop, Dr. Bawumia acknowledged the party’s loss of more than two million votes compared to 2020, attributing the defeat largely to economic hardship and voter disaffection. He insisted the loss was collective and cautioned against internal blame.
His message was consistent: the NPP’s recovery depends on unity, humility, and better organisation.
Grassroots Welfare at the Centre of the Campaign
A defining pillar of Our Journey Together was grassroots welfare—an issue Dr. Bawumia elevated across regions.
He repeatedly assured party executives, polling station officers, electoral area coordinators, and foot soldiers that their welfare would be a priority under his leadership.
Dr. Bawumia pledged to:
Prioritise the well-being of party workers who sustain the NPP at the base
Institutionalise regular constituency-level engagements to give grassroots members direct access to leadership.
Ensure that the contributions of party activists are recognised and rewarded.
According to him, a party cannot be strong nationally if its base is neglected.
“Our journey must include everyone—especially those who work hardest for the party,” he told delegates during several engagements.
This message resonated deeply, especially among grassroots members who openly pledged support, saying they felt seen, heard, and valued.
Decorum and Respect as Campaign Principles
From the outset, Dr. Bawumia’s campaign team made it clear that Our Journey Together would be conducted with decorum, discipline, and respect for all aspirants.
True to that commitment, the campaign avoided personal attacks and divisive rhetoric. Dr. Bawumia consistently urged supporters to focus on ideas, experience, and unity, stressing that the party’s internal cohesion would be critical in winning the 2028 general elections.
Experience, Sacrifice, and Ideas Over Wealth
Throughout the tour, Dr. Bawumia grounded his appeal in his long-standing service and sacrifice to the NPP.
He traced his political journey from 2008 through eight years in opposition, his role in the 2012 election petition, and eight years as Vice President.
He also highlighted policy initiatives he championed, including the Ghana Card, Mobile Money Interoperability, and Zipline medical drone delivery services, as evidence of leadership driven by innovation rather than excess spending.
“It is not the money in your pocket that will transform Ghana; it is the ideas in your head,” he reiterated.
Growing Momentum Nationwide
As the tour progressed, Our Journey Together gathered visible momentum.
Across Bono, Bono East, Ahafo, Western, Eastern, Northern, Oti, Greater Accra and Ashanti regions, party executives, grassroots organisers, MPs, and former party officials publicly declared their support.
Many projected commanding margins in his favour, while several former supporters of rival aspirants defected to his camp, citing conviction and confidence in his leadership.
Wrapping Up the Journey, Eyes on January 31
Dr. Bawumia wrapped up the Our Journey Together campaign on Tuesday in the Ashanti Region, thanking party members nationwide for their reception and urging delegates to approach the presidential primaries on Saturday, January 31, 2026, with calm, unity, and discipline.
He pledged to immediately bring all factions together after the primaries and refocus the party on rebuilding, renewal, and victory in 2028.
After a painful defeat and with little time to heal Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s response was not retreat, but resolve: a demanding nationwide campaign anchored on unity, grassroots welfare, and shared purpose.
As delegates prepare to vote, Our Journey Together closes having reinforced a simple message—the NPP’s future will be built together, or not at all.
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Source:
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