Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the presidential candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has expressed empathy for the hardships many Ghanaians, especially those in the informal sector, are currently facing.
Speaking during an engagement with stakeholders in the creative arts industry on October 16, Dr Bawumia assured that, if elected in the 2024 general elections, his administration would prioritise policies aimed at alleviating the struggles of the underprivileged.
He highlighted his personal journey, having worked in various menial jobs, including as a farm labourer, taxi driver, and cleaner, experiences that gave him a firsthand understanding of the daily challenges Ghanaians face.
Dr Bawumia also reflected on his philanthropic work, particularly with Rev. Father Andrew Campbell, founder of the Lepers Aid Committee, where he supported the lepers’ community at the Weija Leprosarium.
Speaking in pidgin, Dr Bawumia reiterated his commitment to ensuring better opportunities for all, regardless of their social or economic background.
“The thing wey edey my heart for politics nu, ebi the people wey dey suffer for this country, ebi way edey my heart. Me be the patron of Lepers Aid Ghana. Me and the lepers, we dey eat, we dey drink. Because I dey wan help lepers in Ghana.
“Me, I be farm labourer before, by day worker, I be cleaner before, I be taxi driver before. So I know how people dey suffer before. I dey patron of Mothers Theresa’s soup kitchen, Christ the King Church, looking after street children.
“Me and Father Campbell, we dey do that sort of work. My heart edey the streets. The things way I dey do is how I for fee help the people. Free Senior High School, digitalisation dey help plenty,” he said in pidgin in response to a question by Shatta Wale, a dancehall artiste.