Samuel Koku Anyidoho, founder of the MILLS Institute and a former National Democratic Congress official, has drawn strong comparisons between the political careers of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and the late President John Evans Atta Mills. He made the comments after Dr Bawumia secured the flagbearer position for the New Patriotic Party.
Mr Anyidoho said both men were once viewed as outsiders within their parties when they were endorsed by party leaders to take top leadership roles. He noted that just as Prof Atta Mills was initially perceived as lacking independent standing in the National Democratic Congress, Dr Bawumia faced a similar view within the NPP.
According to him, Prof Atta Mills was once labelled as a loyal deputy and not seen as his own political force until he developed his own identity on the national stage and eventually became president. Mr Anyidoho suggested that Dr Bawumia’s rise follows the same pattern because of his loyalty to former president Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, his service as vice president, and his emergence as a leading candidate.
He argued that history seems to repeat itself as both figures gained recognition and support gradually, despite early perceptions of dependence on party leaders. Mr Anyidoho also said Dr Bawumia’s recent political successes reflect a growing acceptance of his leadership credentials among party members and supporters.
His comments come amid national discussion about leadership trajectories in Ghana and the similarities some analysts see between past and present political figures.
