The Member of Parliament (MP) for Damongo and Ranking Member on Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has described former Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia as the most prepared and suitable leader to guide Ghana beyond 2028.

He also expressed confidence that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will regain public trust ahead of the next general elections.

Speaking on The Pulse on JoyNews, Mr Jinapor said the election of Dr Bawumia as the party’s flagbearer reflects strong confidence in his leadership qualities.

“The NPP elected a very extraordinary man, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, a very solid personality in Ghanaian politics, with a lot of experience, a man of enormous integrity, clarity of thought, and with a clear vision for our country,” he said.

He added that Dr Bawumia’s policy direction, particularly his proposal for a flat tax regime at Ghana’s ports, would help improve predictability for businesses and support private sector growth.

“Dr Mahamudu Bawumia promised and committed to a flat tax rate at the port to ensure that the private sector thrives and that importers are given the opportunity to import with a tax regime which gives them predictability,” he said, noting that similar systems have been implemented in other jurisdictions.

Mr Jinapor also highlighted initiatives such as the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme, which he said helped strengthen Ghana’s gold reserves at the Bank of Ghana and supported currency stability. He further referenced the Agenda 111 hospital project as part of Dr Bawumia’s record in government.

He acknowledged, however, that the NPP faces the challenge of rebuilding after what he described as a disappointing performance in the 2024 general elections.

“We had such a bad year in 2024. There’s absolutely no two ways about that,” he said.

According to him, the party has begun a nationwide reorganisation process from the polling station level through to the national level, expected to be completed by September.

“We have just begun our reorganisation from the polling station to electoral area, to constituency, to regional, and to national,” he said.

Mr Jinapor said the NPP Minority in Parliament remains focused on its oversight role, arguing that influence is not determined solely by numbers.

“Numbers don’t carry the day. Numbers carry the vote… that doesn’t necessarily mean that you will win the argument,” he said.

He added that the Minority, led by Alexander Afenyo-Markin, will intensify efforts when Parliament resumes, including presenting alternative policy proposals and holding the government accountable.

“We will do even a lot more to hold the government accountable and present an alternative view in parliament,” he said.

Mr Jinapor expressed confidence that Dr Bawumia and the NPP will present a strong policy platform ahead of the next elections, focusing on issues such as youth unemployment and the cost of living.

“By the grace of God, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and the NPP will be putting a strong formula, strategy and blueprint before the Ghanaian people… to ensure that we win the confidence of the Ghanaian people,” he said.