CLAIM: “It [the Economic Management Team] was not chaired by him [Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia]. It was an economic management team chaired by Ofori-Atta.”
— Ing. Filson Awankua, Founder of the Rapid Response Unit for Bawumia (RRU4DMB)
VERDICT: FALSE
Explanation: A1 Radio’s investigation reveals that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia was indeed the Chairman of Ghana’s Economic Management Team (EMT) throughout his tenure as Vice President from 2017 to 2025. Multiple credible sources, including Dr. Bawumia’s own statements, official government communications, and international institutions, consistently confirm he held this position. Ken Ofori-Atta, as Minister of Finance, was responsible for fiscal policy implementation but did not chair the EMT.
BACKGROUND
On Monday, January 26, 2026, Ing. Filson Awankua, an aspirant for the Upper East Regional Chairmanship of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), appeared on A1 Radio’s Day Break Upper East Show where he addressed questions about former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s role in Ghana’s economic management.
When asked about Dr. Bawumia’s responsibility for the country’s economic challenges, Awankua insisted that the former Vice President did not chair the Economic Management Team. Instead, he claimed that former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta held this position.
A1 Radio’s Findings
A1 Radio conducted a comprehensive investigation of this claim by examining official sources, government documents, and statements from Dr. Bawumia himself. The evidence overwhelmingly contradicts Ing. Awankua’s assertion.
Evidence 1: Official Biography
Source: Dr. Bawumia’s Official Website
Dr. Bawumia’s official biography on bawumia.com explicitly states: “Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana. He chairs the Economic Management Team which is broadly responsible for shaping the government’s policies and guiding their implementation.”
Evidence 2: Dr. Bawumia’s Own Confirmation
Source: GhanaWeb Report (February 8, 2024)
In a campaign speech on February 7, 2024, Dr. Bawumia personally confirmed his role as EMT Chairman. According to GhanaWeb’s reporting, he stated:
“I was, thankfully, appointed as Chairman of the Economic Management Team (EMT). As a sub-committee to Cabinet, we do not have any decision-making powers, but I am very proud of the quality of advice we have been providing over the years to Cabinet.”
Evidence 3: International Recognition
Source: World Bank Live
The World Bank’s official platform identifies Dr. Bawumia as: “Vice President of the Republic of Ghana and head of Ghana’s Economic Management Team.” This designation appeared in multiple World Bank publications and events where Dr. Bawumia participated in his official capacity.
Evidence 4: Academic and Professional Recognition
Source: Oxford Business Group Interview
In a November 2022 interview with the Oxford Business Group, Dr. Bawumia was formally identified as “Chairman, Economic Management Team” during discussions about Ghana’s economic policies and development strategies.
Understanding the Distinction
The confusion in Ing. Awankua’s statement appears to stem from a misunderstanding of the different roles within Ghana’s economic governance structure:
- Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia (Vice President): Chairman of the Economic Management Team – an advisory body that shapes economic policies and recommends strategies to Cabinet
- Ken Ofori-Atta (Finance Minister, 2017-2024): Responsible for implementing fiscal policy, managing the national budget, and overseeing the Ministry of Finance
- Dr. Ernest Addison (Bank of Ghana Governor): Responsible for monetary policy and exchange rate management
In his February 2024 speech, Dr. Bawumia clarified these distinctions, stating: “Therefore, as the Minister for Finance oversees the budget (fiscal policy) and the Governor of the central bank also focused on monetary and exchange rate policy, I focused on the complementary data and systems improvements that would ensure the ease of doing business.”
The Nature of the Economic Management Team
It is important to note that Dr. Bawumia himself acknowledged the EMT’s advisory nature. He explained that as a sub-committee to Cabinet, the EMT does not have decision-making powers but provides recommendations and strategic guidance. This distinction, however, does not change the fact that he chaired the team.
The EMT’s advisory role became a significant point of public discussion in 2024 when Dr. Bawumia sought to clarify his responsibilities amid criticism of Ghana’s economic challenges. While he maintained that final implementation authority rested with the Finance Minister and Bank of Ghana Governor, his chairmanship of the EMT remained undisputed.
Additional Context
During the Akufo-Addo administration, when economic difficulties intensified in 2022, over 90 NPP Members of Parliament called for the removal of Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, citing his handling of the economy. Ing. Awankua referenced this in his A1 Radio interview, arguing that if Dr. Bawumia had been responsible for economic management, MPs would have targeted him instead.
However, this political dynamic reflects the complexities of shared responsibility in economic governance rather than the formal structure of the EMT. The MPs’ focus on the Finance Minister related to his direct implementation authority over fiscal policy, not the EMT’s advisory role.
Conclusion
Based on multiple authoritative sources, including official government documents, Dr. Bawumia’s own public statements, and recognition by international institutions like the World Bank, A1 Radio concludes that Ing. Filson Awankua’s claim is FALSE.
Sources
- Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia Official Biography
- GhanaWeb: “Bawumia sets records straight on his role in Ghana’s economic management” (February 8, 2024)
- World Bank Live: Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia Profile
- Oxford Business Group Interview with Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia, Chairman, Economic Management Team (November 2022)
- A1 Radio: “Ing. Awankua insists Dr. Bawumia was not head of Economic Management Team” (January 27, 2026)
Source: A1 Radio | 101.1 Mhz | Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith | Bolgatanga
