CHIEF OF MAMPRUGU WELCOMES BAWUMIA (PAGE 14)

THE Paramount Chief of the Mamprugu Traditional Area, Nayiri Na Bohagu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga, has welcomed the nomination of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as the Vice-Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), but advised him to ensure a decent campaign, devoid of personal attacks and acrimony.
He also urged him to reach out to all Ghanaians, as a unifier and a team player, and be ready to avail his expertise and experience to help in the accelerated development of the country.
The chief further observed that as a Mamprugu royal and a celebrated technocrat, he should be prepared to open up to diverse views, be prepared to serve people with humility and also work towards improving their well-being.
The Nayiri was speaking after the running mate was formally introduced to him and his elders and sub-chiefs at Na Sheriga’s palace at Nalerigu on Tuesday.
Dr Bawumia’s visit to the palace was his first visit to the Northern Region since he was nominated by the NPP flag bearer, Nana Akufo Addo, earlier this month.
He was accompanied by the Northern Regional Minister, Alhjai Mustapha Ali Idris, the National Chairman of the NPP, Mr Peter Mac Manu, some members of Nana Addo’s campaign team and national and regional executives of the party.
Also, present were Hajia Alima Mahama, Minister of Women and Children’s Affair, Alhaji Boniface Saddique, Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, the former Chief Director of the Ministry of Health, Lepowura Alhaji MND Jawula, among others.
Dr Bawumia earlier made a stop over at his family house at Kperiga, near Walewale, where he formally announced his candidature to family members and also visited his late father’s grave.
His father, Alhaji Mumuni Bawumia, a veteran politician who served the country in various capacities died about seven years ago as the chief of Kperiga after being the Chairman of the Council of State for eight years in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.
The vice-presidential hopeful who was visibly overwhelmed by the warm reception extended to him and his team pledged to live up to the challenge entrusted to him by supporting Nana Addo to win the December polls convincingly for continuity.
Addressing a rally at the palace after his introduction, he indicated that, ‘‘my selection by Nana Addo and the party reflects the confidence and respect they have for Muslims, Mamprugu and the north in general.’’
He, therefore, entreated the people not to let Nana Addo and the party down, but vote massively for the NPP to continue with the development agenda of the Kufuor administration which he said, had the people at heart.
Dr Bawumia acknowledged the invaluable contributions of his forebearers to the socio-economic development of the north over the years.
‘‘Nana and the NPP are concerned with the development of the north and Ghanaians, and would therefore strive hard to move this nation forward; we would, however, need your mandate to be able to carry this vision through,’’ he stated.