Former Attorney General Martin Amidu has critiqued Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s leadership, challenging him to demonstrate with concrete evidence his competence in managing national security during President Nana Akufo-Addo’s absences.

The former Special Prosecutor questioned the frequent endorsement of Dr Bawumia by President Akufo-Addo, urging the Vice President to “move beyond mere rhetoric” and prove his capability to lead Ghana.

“The claim by the President that Dr Bawumia is the most competent person to manage the safety and security of Ghanaians after the government’s current tenure needs to go beyond mere rhetoric and be supported by concrete evidence,” Mr Amidu stated.

Highlighting the persistent conflicts in Bawku under Dr Bawumia’s watch as acting president, Amidu lamented the human cost of violence in the region.

“Bawku has been burning since October 2024, with an extension to the North East and Northern Regions under Dr Bawumia’s watch,” he noted.

He further cited specific incidents, including the deaths of 23 people in Bawku and eight others in the North East Region during violent clashes.

Mr Amidu criticised the government’s response, stating that it often took President Akufo-Addo’s return to Ghana to convene a National Security Council meeting or impose curfews.

“Dr. Bawumia watched the mayhem in silence whilst busying himself campaigning to be elected the next President of Ghana,” Mr Amidu remarked, describing this as a failure to uphold the Vice President’s constitutional duty.

Martin Amidu’s critique extended to the broader political strategy of the NPP, alleging a deliberate neglect of security in northern Ghana for electoral advantage.

He questioned whether the government was complicit in the resurgence of violence in Bawku, accusing it of facilitating a “government-generated resurgent fratricide” for political purposes.

Urging accountability, Amidu called on Dr Bawumia to address Ghanaians directly on his security policies and achievements.

“Bawumia needs to move away from the Kamala Harris rhetorical style of campaigning and speak directly to the public,” he said.

“The ancestors are watching!”