In an interview given on Peace FM, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, known among his people as NAPO, made remarks that have left many Ghanaians taken aback. A discussion moderated by Kwame Sefa Kayi dwelled on the current state of Ghana's economy, with a direct question pertaining to Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia's role as the head of the Economic Management Team. Ghanaians have since expressed debate over how much blame should be laid at the door of Dr. Bawumia for the state of the nation's economy.
He responded to Dr. Prempeh rather controversially: "It's irresponsible to say that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is the chairman of the Economic Management Team," he said. Explaining, NAPO indicated, although the 1992 constitution makes the Vice President chair of the team, the position is merely symbolic. "The Vice President's office is a useless position," he insisted, arguing that the occupant, Dr. Bawumia, has no executive authority to make material decisions on the economy.
This statement shocked many listeners, considering the influential position Dr. Bawumia occupies in government, especially when it comes to shaping economic policies. But NAPO explained his point by referring to some former Vice Presidents. He referred to the late Paa Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, expert trained economist and former Governor of the Central Bank. Yet Amissah-Arthur, he said, Vice President under President John Mahama, was not entrusted with key responsibilities regarding running the economy.
John Jinapor, then-spokesperson for Vice President John Mahama, even said that Mahama was reduced to attending funerals and social gatherings," NAPO added, insinuating that the role of Vice President, historically, has been more about formality than about actual governance.
Now, most Ghanaians, especially the political analysts, try to draw an inference from NAPO's statement. So, was Dr. Bawumia, acclaimed for his economic wizardry, merely a figurehead? Or is there more to the economic woes of Ghana than what appears to the naked eye?
This has revitalized the debate on the structure of governance in Ghana and the real role the Vice President plays. Some have applauded the candid assessment by NAPO, while others feel this trivializes the intricacies of running an economy, particularly in the face of global turmoil. As this debate is carried forward, Ghanaians will be keenly watching how these remarks shape public opinion going into the next election.
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