Mahama and Bawumia
A developing country is as good as how it treats its vulnerable and weak people. Mr John Mahama’s attitude in politics, being the art of trafficking in naked insults at his critics and his bold spread of fake news and very often false statements as facts in the public, comes across as his inadequacy. But the consistency with which his forbidden attitude has eaten deeply into those who work for him to the extent of their practising the same in their normal course of politics.
Beyond these prohibitively sinful attitudes, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia (DMB), himself with a very good sense of respect, has shepherded the Ghanaian people in appreciating the essence of decorum, civility, tolerance, and utmost respect for one another irrespective of the extent of political tension. Given the closeness in time to December 7, it’s thought important to point out the big difference Dr. Bawumia makes as a presidential candidate and subsequently, the President of Ghana, God willing. Essentially, Dr. Bawumia has demonstrably viewed the state of one’s physical or mental disability as not inability. Dr Bawumia, who believes in politics as a useful tool that balances the difference between the rich and poor, has lived his life promoting equality and inclusiveness between people with disabilities and those who are able. There is no gainsaying about his remarkable relationship with lepers and people with autism in Ghana.
For context, as Vice President, Dr Bawumia has directly contributed to the provision of hostel facilities for head potters, or “Kayeyei”—a predominantly female industry. However, owing to Dr Bawumia’s inherent belief in advancing and dignifying the lives of the ordinary Ghanaian, he has personally been involved in policies that are training, developing, and upskilling these ordinary Ghanaians with varied skills that guarantee a dignifying source of income.
In his manifesto, the man with a “compelling vision” has laid bare his plans for the most vulnerable people in our society—the aged and disabled. In politics, one’s ability to identify a pressing problem and the expression of solutions to the same is critical. As with the aged, Dr. Bawumia is committed to establishing “home care, nursing homes, and rehabilitation services, including assisted living and old-age community living.” Further, Bawumia has promised to “create elder-specific social assistance schemes to cover those not presently covered under existing programs such as LEAP.” To indicate his genuineness to this policy, Bawumia will introduce a new legislative framework, the “Ageing Act,” for the care and protection of the elderly.
Despite this, we have recently seen very close aides and the fiercest loyalist of Mr John Mahama insult President Kufour over the latter’s expression of his freedom of choice, association, and thoughts about Dr. Bawumia. One wonders why a harmless expression of freedom of choice will discomfort Mr. John Mahama and his followers. Shockingly, they went to the extent of public shaming the current state of President Kufour by disgracing him as an aged person confined to a wheelchair. It’s naturally expected of man to grow old and weak. The only coherent thinking any serious politician can make for the aged is to innovate solutions that guarantee their continuous living in dignity.
Sadly, that’s not what Mr. John Mahama thinks. It’s estimated that eight percent (8%) of Ghana’s population represents persons with disabilities. It’s their trust and hopes that Ghanaians will massively endorse Dr Bawumia to advance his values of equality and inclusion.
Authored by Shareef Sule
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