Former Majority Leader of Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah Bonsu, has expressed confidence that former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia could win Ghana’s 2028 presidential election.
Speaking on JoyNews AM on 16 February, Kyei-Mensah Bonsu cited examples of past Ghanaian leaders who recovered from significant electoral defeats. He noted that President John Mahama, as a sitting president, lost by over one million votes but eventually returned to the presidency.
“As a sitting president, losing an election by over one million votes… he survived. He clawed back the presidency,” he said. He also referenced former President John Kufuor, who secured 59% of the vote and returned to power in the subsequent election, highlighting that political comebacks are possible.
Kyei-Mensah Bonsu said the 2028 election would be evaluated against three constitutional benchmarks: deepening the liberties of Ghanaians and upholding the rule of law, creating equal opportunities for all citizens; and managing the economy to deliver prosperity to the nation.
He stressed that voters would compare Mahama’s administration with the legacy of former President Nana Akufo-Addo and what Bawumia could achieve if elected.
“We are looking at the vision of Bawumia against the vision espoused by the current administration. The sheer competence of Bawumia against whoever they would present… the humility and integrity of the person against that of Bawumia,” he said.
Kyei-Mensah Bonsu further noted that the assessment would include the vision, competence, experience, track record, ingenuity, character, humility, and integrity of any candidate against those of Bawumia. “These are the indices, the asset tests that we are going to use on Bawumia vis-à-vis whoever the NDC would be presenting,” he added.
While acknowledging that three years is a long time in politics, Kyei-Mensah Bonsu expressed confidence in Bawumia’s prospects.
“Looking at those people that people are talking about today, I would place any one of them on the same scale as Bawumia. I think Bawumia will have the head start,” he said.
