A review of Ghana’s electoral history shows that the political journey of late President John Evans Atta Mills differs significantly from that of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, particularly when measured against electoral performance and political experience.
In the 2000 general election, Prof. Atta Mills secured 44.54 percent of the vote in the first round.
He later polled 43.10 percent in the second round but ultimately lost the election to John Agyekum Kufuor.
At the time, Prof. Mills had been actively marketed as a presidential candidate for only four years, between 1996 and 2000.
His national political exposure was limited to a single term as Vice President, having served for four years as running mate to former President Jerry John Rawlings after the 1996 elections.
Overall, Prof. Mills had been actively involved in frontline national politics for just four years before contesting the 2000 presidential election.
Parliamentary results from that election further highlight how competitive the race was.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) secured 92 parliamentary seats, while the New Patriotic Party (NPP) won 99 seats. The difference of just seven seats underscored how closely contested the election was at both the presidential and parliamentary levels.
Based on this electoral data and political context, analysts argue that the conditions that shaped Prof. Mills’ performance in 2000 are not comparable to those facing H.E. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and that the available electoral figures do not appear favourable to the Vice President’s current bid.
Story by Doe Benjamin Lawson