Ghana ruling party picks VP Bawumia as presidential candidate

FILE PHOTO: Ghana's Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia is sworn in at the Independence square in Accra, Ghana January 7, 2017. REUTERS/Luc Gnago/File Photo

ACCRA (Reuters) - Ghana's ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Saturday picked Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia as its candidate for the December 2024 presidential election, teeing up a contest with former president John Mahama.

The 60-year-old economist and former central banker has served as second-in-command and the face of economic policy throughout the presidency of Nana Addo Akufo-Addo, who is due to step down in January 2025 after serving the constitutionally mandated eight years.