Ghana’s former Vice President and 2024 Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, marks his 62nd birthday today, celebrating a remarkable journey defined by academic brilliance, international experience, and transformational leadership.
Born on October 7, 1963, in Tamale, Dr Bawumia’s life reflects the story of a scholar who became a reformer. From Sakasaka Primary School and Tamale Secondary School, he advanced to the University of Buckingham, graduating with First Class Honours in Economics, before earning his M.Sc. in Economics from the University of Oxford and a PhD in Economics from Simon Fraser University, Canada.
Before entering public life, Dr Bawumia built an impressive international career — lecturing at Baylor University in the United States, working with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and serving as Resident Representative of the African Development Bank (AfDB) in Zimbabwe. He also advised the Central Bank of Sierra Leone and was a Fellow of the International Growth Centre at the London School of Economics and Oxford University.
Returning to Ghana in 2000, Dr Bawumia joined the Bank of Ghana, where he was instrumental in establishing the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) and leading critical negotiations with the IMF, World Bank, and Paris Club under the HIPC initiative. In 2006, he was appointed Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, overseeing monetary policy and financial stability.
Since 2017, as Vice President, Dr Bawumia has been at the forefront of Ghana’s digital transformation, introducing systems that have reshaped governance and service delivery. Initiatives such as mobile money interoperability, the digital address system, online passport and driver’s licence applications, and e-procurement reforms have earned him the title “The Digital Man.”
Widely regarded as one of Africa’s leading reform-minded economists, Dr Bawumia has been credited with over 40 major policies under his leadership. His blend of economic expertise, humility, and technological innovation continues to inspire a new generation of African leaders.
As he turns 62, messages of goodwill have poured in from across the diplomatic, academic, and business communities. Many describe him as a “bridge between the classroom and the state,” whose work continues to redefine how governance and technology intersect in Africa.
“Dr Bawumia represents the modern face of African leadership — grounded in knowledge, driven by innovation, and committed to progress,” said a senior diplomat in Accra.
Story: Kakale Adams
