$58m expenditure on Nat'l Cathedral contributed to our defeat – Bawumia

Former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has identified key reasons for the NPP's defeat in the 2024 elections. He pointed to the National Cathedral project and a last-minute fuel price hike.

Dr. Bawumia spoke to supporters in Takoradi during his Thank You Tour launch. He addressed claims from leaked reports suggesting his religious views affected the party's loss.

The 2024 New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate rejected these claims. He emphasized that economic and governance issues were the main causes of their defeat.

He noted that the stalled National Cathedral project, which cost $58 million, hurt public trust. This situation increased voter dissatisfaction significantly.

Dr. Bawumia also mentioned the fuel price increase just days before the election. He said this misstep pushed voters away from the NPP. He insisted that neither religion nor ethnicity played a role in their loss.

“The national cathedral we could not complete after spending $58 million caused public anger,” he stated.

“Also, three days before election day, fuel prices went up. I thought it was a joke when I heard it,” he added. “Drivers were angry at us, leading people to vote against us.”

He explained that this is why they formed the Mike Oquaye Committee to investigate their loss. Dr. Bawumia expressed relief that no religious or tribal factors contributed to their defeat.