Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, former Vice President and NPP presidential candidate in the 2024 elections, has shared how former President John Agyekum Kufuor became a major source of encouragement after his electoral defeat last year.

Bawumia, who secured 42% of the national vote, admitted that the loss was painful. However, he found inspiration in a conversation with the elder statesman, who reminded him that he too had lost his first presidential bid in 1996 before eventually rising to lead the country.

“After the 2024 elections, President Kufuor shared some inspiring words with me. He told me not to despair because when he contested the first time as NPP Presidential Candidate in 1996, he had 39%, but he and the party worked hard and came back strongly to win 4 years later in 2000.”

“He encouraged me and said I had nearly 42% as a first timer and he had 39%. He also said nobody in the 4th Republic, especially in the NPP, has won on the first attempt…He contested twice and won, and President Akufo-Addo won it on the 3rd attempt.”

“If you look at the history in the NDC, former President Mills didn’t win it on the first attempt. He won it on the 3rd attempt and President Mahama lost twice before coming back to win again,” he recounted while delivering a speech during his “Thank You Tour” on Sunday April 27, 2025.

Dr. Bawumia urged the NPP to remain resolute in their resolve to win the 2028 elections.

“President Kufuor’s words are encouraging and with unity, the NPP will come back strongly in 2028 just as we did in 2000 with President Kufuor after he had 39% in 1996.”

Dr. Bawumia was accompanied by the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) members including their National Chairman, Stephen Ntim and General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua.