Former Vice President and New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate for 2028, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has criticised the government’s economic record and its approach to demolitions, healthcare, education and the fight against illegal drugs.
Speaking at the NPP National Delegates Conference and national executive elections at Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on Saturday, October 3, 2026, Dr. Bawumia said the government’s 24-hour economy policy had failed to deliver the improvements it promised.
Instead, he said, the policy had become associated with what he called “24-hour demolitions”.
His remarks come as public debate continues over the demolition of structures and businesses around the La Beach area in Accra. Dr. Bawumia has previously condemned the exercise, with particular concern over the destruction of movable property belonging to business operators.
“We stand with Labadi. The government must pay victims of the demolition exercise compensation,” he said.
Dr. Bawumia also argued that the fall in headline inflation had not eased the financial pressure facing households. Although inflation has declined to 5%, he said the overall cost of living had risen significantly.
“Even though inflation has dropped to 5%, the cost of living for Ghanaians has increased drastically,” he explained.
Criticism of government programmes
The former Vice President accused the government of discontinuing or neglecting programmes inherited from the previous administration. He specifically cited the Agenda 111 hospital project.
He also questioned the government’s healthcare priorities, claiming that greater attention was being given to the creation of 24-hour markets than to completing or extending hospital infrastructure.
“This government prefers 24-hour markets to hospitals,” Dr. Bawumia said.
Turning to education, he claimed that several Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) graduates had not been admitted to the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme.
He urged the government to address the issue, stressing that ensuring access to secondary education should continue to be a central priority.
Dr. Bawumia further called for a broader approach to tackling illegal drugs. He said efforts focused only on arresting couriers would not be enough to disrupt trafficking networks.
“Arresting drug couriers is not enough. We need to know the financiers,” he said, arguing that investigations should identify the people funding drug-trafficking operations.
More than 7,000 delegates are expected to attend the NPP National Delegates Conference at Baba Yara Sports Stadium, where national officers will be elected.
The gathering is part of the party’s reorganisation ahead of the 2028 general election.
By Benjamin Aidoo
