Anyidoho Draws Parallels Between Atta-Mills’ Political Journey and Bawumia’s Rise

Former Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Samuel Koku Anyidoho, has drawn striking parallels between the political journey of late President Professor John Evans Atta-Mills and that of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, suggesting that Ghana’s political history may be repeating itself.

In a reflective commentary, Anyidoho recalled that when Professor Atta-Mills first emerged on the national political scene as Vice President under President Jerry John Rawlings, loyalty to his boss was not optional but essential. He explained that Atta-Mills’ humility and unwavering loyalty to President Rawlings were often misunderstood and unfairly interpreted as weakness by critics, with some going as far as labeling him a “poodle.”

According to Anyidoho, internal party dissatisfaction also surfaced within the NDC when President Rawlings endorsed Atta-Mills to lead the party into the 2000 general elections. Some party members described him as an “outsider.” Atta-Mills eventually lost that election, a development Anyidoho attributes not to rejection by Ghanaians, but to the perception that he remained under the shadow of President Rawlings.

He noted, however, that Professor Atta-Mills later succeeded in establishing a distinct political identity marked by humility, peace, faith, and love for country — encapsulated in his famous message of “Asomdwe” (peace). This transformation, Anyidoho stated, endeared him to Ghanaians and ultimately paved the way for his election as President, a role in which he exceeded expectations.

Drawing a comparison to contemporary politics, Anyidoho argued that Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s political journey bears similar characteristics. He noted that Dr. Bawumia was selected by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, served loyally as Vice President, and carried out his duties with humility. Like Atta-Mills, Bawumia was later endorsed by his boss to lead the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), faced perceptions of being an “outsider,” and suffered an electoral defeat.

Despite these challenges, Anyidoho pointed out that Dr. Bawumia has since been re-elected by his party as its leader and is gradually carving out his own political identity.

“History has a very interesting way of repeating itself,” Anyidoho remarked, suggesting that political patience, loyalty, and humility may once again shape Ghana’s future leadership.