A wave of excitement swept through the Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo regions last weekend as former Vice-President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s “Our Journey Together” campaign tour unfolded with the intensity of a political carnival — drawing unprecedented crowds, emotional endorsements, and a groundswell of delegate support that has reshaped the dynamics of the New Patriotic Party’s flagbearership race.
From the moment Dr. Bawumia’s convoy entered Sunyani to his final stop in Duayaw Nkwanta, the atmosphere felt less like a campaign and more like a victory parade.
Towns and villages buzzed with anticipation as delegates lined the roads waving placards, chanting his name, and showering him with cheers that echoed far beyond the rally grounds.
A movement, not just a campaign
The Vice President’s message — a call to build Ghana’s future on a foundation of digitalization, inclusivity, and grassroots empowerment — resonated powerfully across the three regions, widely considered the NPP’s heartland of organisational activism. His tone throughout the tour was one of partnership rather than power, casting himself as a “leader who listens.”
“This tour was not about a leader speaking to followers; it was about a partner engaging with stakeholders on the next phase of our shared journey,” Dr. Bawumia told an elated crowd in Sunyani.
“We have built a foundation of transformation together, and now we must build upon it to create prosperity for every Ghanaian — from the cocoa farmer in Ahafo to the market woman in Techiman.”
His remarks were met with thunderous applause, chants of “Next to Lead, Next to Win!” and coordinated displays of party colours as delegates danced to brass band tunes and traditional drumming.
Scenes of jubilation
At every stop — from Dormaa to Techiman and Goaso — the scenes were electric. Delegates in colourful party attire formed long queues just to greet the Vice President.
Traditional leaders welcomed him with cultural pageantry, while market women abandoned their stalls to join spontaneous processions through the streets.
In Techiman, the energy reached a fever pitch as Dr. Bawumia stepped onto a decorated stage surrounded by thousands of supporters chanting “Hope for the Future.”
Party banners fluttered in the evening breeze as he waved to the crowd, smiling broadly.
“What we are witnessing is not just support — it is belief,” said David Boakye, Regional Secretary for the Bono East Region.
“Dr. Bawumia’s message connects with the heart of our people. The energy here is electric. Delegates are not just following him; they are embracing him.”
Strategic gains and symbolic endorsements
Beyond the crowd sizes, the tour produced tangible political dividends.
Several constituency executives and previously uncommitted grassroots influencers publicly declared their support for Dr. Bawumia, turning what was once a competitive field into a wave of near-unanimous endorsement.
“The race feels different now,” observed a polling station executive from Bechem. “Before this tour, people were weighing their options. Now there is a sense of conclusion. The coordinators, youth organizers, and women’s wings are united behind one man. He’s not just a contender anymore — he’s the candidate to beat.”
Political observers say this new energy represents more than mere enthusiasm.
According to political analyst Dr. Kwasi Nyame Barfi, the sheer scale of volunteerism and participation witnessed on the ground reflects “a movement that has transcended campaign politics.”
“The jubilation in these regions is a political signal,” Dr. Barfi explained.
“It demonstrates deep-seated commitment that translates into delegate votes. What we are seeing is not simply momentum — it is consolidation.”
A symbolic conquest of the heartland
The Vice President’s passage through the three regions was carefully choreographed but emotionally organic — a blend of strategy and sentiment that spoke to his growing stature within the NPP.
At Duayaw Nkwanta, local youth groups presented him with a symbolic staff of unity, describing him as “the bridge between the old and the new generation.”
By the time the tour concluded, the verdict from the heartland was clear.
“Mission accomplished,” said a senior member of the Bawumia campaign. “We came here to demonstrate that Dr. Bawumia is not just a candidate — he is the candidate.
The message from the grassroots is clear: the party is ready to unite behind his leadership.”
Eyes on the road ahead
For many party insiders, the Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo belt — long seen as a strategic swing zone in internal contests — now appears firmly aligned with the Vice President.
The stronghold Ashanti Region had already shown overwhelming support in earlier polls, and with this latest tour consolidating the middle belt, his camp is projecting confidence heading into the January 2026 primaries.
“This was more than a campaign tour; it was a demonstration of political momentum and organizational depth,” said Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah, MP for Techiman South.
“Perception is power in politics — and the perception now is that Dr. Bawumia’s victory is inevitable.”
From slogan to strategy
As the dust settles on the jubilant rallies, the “Our Journey Together” mantra has proven to be more than just a slogan.
It has evolved into a unifying strategy, one that connects the national vision of transformation with the emotional pulse of the grassroots.
For now, as the campaign trail moves forward, the Vice President leaves the Bono and Ahafo heartlands behind — not in silence, but in song, applause, and conviction.
The cheers of the delegates still echo through the night air, carrying a simple, resounding message: the journey has only just begun.
