Former Member of Parliament for Dome-Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo, has called on delegates of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to dismiss assertions that former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia was the architect of the economic difficulties experienced under the party’s tenure in government.

She maintained that Dr Bawumia’s involvement in economic governance did not give him ultimate control over policy decisions, arguing that it is unfair to single him out for blame.

According to her, the former Vice President remains the strongest option to lead the party into the future.

Speaking to party delegates, Adwoa Safo highlighted the central role played by other senior officials in economic management, singling out the former Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, as a key figure in shaping and executing fiscal policy.

She questioned the logic behind attributing the party’s economic challenges to Dr Bawumia, asking whether he ever served as finance minister and recalling that even Members of Parliament had previously raised concerns about how the economy was being handled before changes were made at the Finance Ministry.

Adwoa Safo further explained that Dr Bawumia did not have the power to override decisions taken by those with direct authority over the economy.

Using a metaphor, she described his position as that of an assistant who could not take control, even when the person in charge was underperforming.

Her remarks come at a time when the internal contest for the NPP’s presidential slot is intensifying, with some aspirants openly linking the party’s economic record in government to Dr Bawumia.

The NPP is expected to hold its presidential primaries on January 31, 2026, as it prepares for the next general elections.

Dr Bawumia is among five contenders seeking the party’s nomination, facing competition from Kennedy Agyapong, Dr Bryan Acheampong, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, and former General Secretary Kwabena Agyapong.