Claims that former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo deliberately sidelined Dr Mahamudu Bawumia during his time in office continue to stir debate within political circles. But for many observers, the assertion raises more questions than answers, especially when weighed against the roles and proximity of key figures around the former president.
At the centre of the controversy is an argument advanced by some party actors, including former Minister Samuel Atta Akyea, suggesting that Dr Bawumia was marginalised by President Akufo-Addo and his cousin, former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta. Critics of this position, however, argue that the claim lacks credibility without confirmation from individuals who were closer to the seat of power.
Two names frequently cited in this context are Samuel Abu Jinapor and Francis Asenso-Boakye. Both men are members of Dr Bawumia’s campaign team and are widely regarded within the New Patriotic Party as trusted political protégés of President Akufo-Addo. Their long-standing association with the former president, coupled with their roles in government, places them in a stronger position to speak authoritatively on internal dynamics at the Presidency.
Abu Jinapor and Asenso-Boakye each served as Deputy Chief of Staff, a role that provided direct access to the inner workings of government and decision-making processes at the highest level. They also remained in government throughout the full eight years of the Akufo-Addo administration, unlike Atta Akyea, who served only one term between 2017 and 2021.
From 2021 until January 2025, both Abu Jinapor and Asenso-Boakye were members of Cabinet, serving alongside Dr Bawumia and Ken Ofori-Atta. During that same period, Atta Akyea was no longer part of government and had no formal role in Cabinet deliberations or presidential decision-making.
This contrast has led many within the party to question the basis of Atta Akyea’s claims. If Dr Bawumia was indeed sidelined, critics argue, those who worked closely with both the President and the Vice President throughout the second term would be better placed to confirm such an allegation.
The debate also touches on assumptions about personal relationships within the corridors of power. While it is often suggested that familial ties automatically translate into political alignment, party insiders note that this is not always the case. In many instances, political trust and access are shaped more by professional relationships than by distant family connections.
Perhaps the most significant counterpoint to the sidelining narrative is President Akufo-Addo’s open support for Dr Bawumia’s political ambitions. The former president is widely believed to have played a key role in ensuring Dr Bawumia’s election as the NPP’s flagbearer in 2023, a development that appears inconsistent with claims of deliberate marginalisation.
For now, the controversy remains unresolved. But among party faithful and political analysts alike, there is a growing view that extraordinary claims require confirmation from those closest to the facts. Until such voices speak, the question of whether Dr Bawumia was sidelined may remain more a matter of speculation than established truth.
By Razak Kojo Opoku