Apaak Says Akufo-Add0 Will Withdraw Support for Bawumia Over His E-Levy Remarks

The Member of Parliament for Builsa South, Dr. Clement Apaak, has made a stunning revelation that suggests President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo may have a change of heart in campaigning for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia's presidency if he were to be apprised of Bawumia's position on the E-levy, betting tax, and other contentious policies.

A claim was made by Dr. Apaak in response to a challenge issued by President Akufo-Addo to the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress, John Dramani Mahama, to explain his stance on major national policies, including the Free Senior High School program. Mr. Mahama, who had been addressing party faithful in Ningo Prampram, charged that the president was being hypocritical because he knew full well the positions that the NDC flagbearer had taken on major issues, including the galamsey crisis and the Free SHS policy.

Taking to his social media handles, Dr. Apaak speculated that perhaps the president was unaware of the current positions of Bawumia on the unpopular E-levy and other fiscal policies. The levy, introduced in 2022, was rejected by Ghanaians en masse over its perceived implications for mobile money transactions. He thinks that full knowledge of Bawumia's positions will make President Akufo-Addo feel betrayed and may even withdraw his active support for Bawumia's presidential campaign.

This comment betrays some of the underlying friction within the New Patriotic Party as the 2024 elections approach. As the NDC gears up to give the NPP a run for their money, Dr. Apaak's utterances are like an oiling of speculation regarding the divisions in the ruling party and the struggles Bawumia is confronted with in his camp.