Franklin Cudjoe, President of the policy think tank IMANI Africa, has advised Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) flagbearer, to adopt a more analytical and realistic approach to his campaign promises.
During the NPP’s manifesto launch in Takoradi on August 18, Dr. Bawumia promised to reduce transportation costs by 40% through the introduction of electric vehicles. However, speaking on Channel One TV’s “The Big Issue,” Mr. Cudjoe questioned the feasibility of this pledge.
He highlighted the importance of having the necessary infrastructure in place to support such an initiative, raising concerns about maintenance, accessibility, and the public’s readiness to transition to electric vehicles.
Cudjoe also pointed to Dr. Bawumia’s previous unfulfilled promises, such as providing cars to Okada riders, and urged him to take a more gradual approach to policy implementation. He suggested that Dr. Bawumia should focus on traditional energy sources instead of solely pursuing clean energy initiatives.
Furthermore, Mr. Cudjoe expressed disappointment that Dr. Bawumia’s manifesto did not adequately address the current economic challenges. He also questioned the effectiveness of the proposed private sector partnerships included in the manifesto.
“I don’t doubt that we need to move towards an electric vehicle system, but do we have the infrastructure yet? How many people can actually use such buses? Do we have a proper maintenance system in place? If we don’t address these issues properly, they could become significant problems for Bawumia,” Mr. Cudjoe remarked.
He added, “You remember when he promised that Okada riders would be given cars, but nothing has come of that yet. It’s important that he takes incremental steps in some of these areas. I think he should focus more on traditional energy sources rather than solely on clean energy or energy transition.”
Mr. Cudjoe concluded by expressing his concerns about the absence of concrete plans to address the economic turmoil under the current administration. He questioned whether the proposed private sector partnerships in Dr. Bawumia’s manifesto would be effective in delivering the promised outcomes.