Biography
Mahamudu Bawumia, born on October 7, 1963 in Tamale, Ghana, is a famous economist, banker and politician who served as Vice President of Ghana from 2017 to 2024.
A leading member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bawumia is known for championing digital innovation in Ghana. His initiatives, including the biometric Ghana Card system, mobile money interoperability and digital address system, have earned him the nickname “Mr. Digital” among his supporters.
Bawumia boasts an impressive academic background, holding a First Class Honors Degree in Economics from the school University of BuckinghamMaster’s degree from Oxford Universityand Ph.D. from Simon Fraser University. Before entering politics, he served as Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana from 2006 to 2008, contributing to the implementation of important financial reforms. He turned to politics when he was selected as the NPP’s vice presidential candidate in 2008, running alongside Nana Akufo-Addo.
During his term as Vice President, Bawumia led Ghana’s economic management team and spearheaded digital transformation projects, although his economic leadership faced criticism due to fiscal challenges. main of Ghana.
In 2024, he ran for president as the NPP candidate but was defeated by John Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). Despite his defeat, Bawumia remains a prominent figure in Ghanaian politics and a pioneer of technological advancement.
Vice President of Ghana
Bawumia Mahamudra | |
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Mahamudu Bawumia: History ‧ Bio ‧ Photos | |
Wiki Info & About Data | |
Real name: | Bawumia Mahamudra |
Born: | October 7, 1963 (61 years old) |
Place of birth: | Tamale, Ghana |
Nationality: | Ghanaian |
Education: | Sakasaka Primary School, Tamale High School, Buckingham University, Oxford University, Simon Fraser University |
Height: | 1.75 m |
Parents: | Alhaji Mumuni Bawumia, Hajia Mariama Bawumia |
Siblings: | Mohammed Bawumia |
Couple: | Samira Bawumia |
Girlfriend • Partner: | not applicable |
Children: | Nadia Bawumia, Abdul Bawumia, Mahamudu Bawumia Jr. |
Job: | Politician • Banker |
Net worth: | 5 million USD- 250 million USD (USD) |
Early Life & Education
Mahamudu Bawumia was born on 7 October 1963 in Tamale, the capital of the Northern Region of Ghana. He comes from a family with a rich academic and public service background.
Bawumia is of Mamprusi descent and a Muslim. His father, Alhaji Mumuni Bawumia, was a prominent Mamprusi leader, a teacher and later the first Northern Regional Commissioner of the First Republic of Ghana, while his mother, Hajia Mariama Bawumia, was a housewife. Mahamudu Bawumia has several siblings, including his brother, Mohammed Bawumia, who is known to have held various roles in government.
Bawumia started studying at Sakasaka Elementary School in Tamale, followed by secondary education at Tamale Secondary School (TAMASCO), where he was noted for his academic prowess. He received a First Class Honors Degree in Economics from the school University of Buckingham in the UK.
He pursued and received a Master of Science in Development Economics from the school Oxford University. Bawumia completed her academic journey with a Ph.D. on Economics from Simon Fraser University in Canada, with a thesis on “Monetary policy and financial sector reform in Africa.”
Career
Mahamudu Bawumia’s career reflects a dynamic blend of academia, banking and politics, underpinned by his deep expertise in economics and public policy. After earning a Ph.D. in economics, Bawumia began his career journey at the Bank of Ghana, where he became Deputy Governor in 2006.
During his tenure, he played an important role in financial sector reform, including implementing inflation targeting to stabilize the economy. His academic contributions include teaching positions at institutions such as Emile Woolf College of Accounting in the UK and visiting appointments at the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University in Canada.
Bawumia entered politics in 2008 as a running mate of Nana Akufo-Addo under New Patriotic Party (NPP). Although their presidential bid was unsuccessful, it marked the beginning of his political journey. In 2016, he ran again with Akufo-Addo and this time, they won, leading to his inauguration as Vice President of Ghana in January 2017.
As Vice President, Bawumia became the driving force behind the government’s economic management and digital transformation agenda. He spearheaded initiatives such as Ghana Card, Mobile Money Interoperability and Paperless Gateway System, earning him the nickname “Mr. Electronics.” His policies aimed to modernize Ghana’s infrastructure and streamline governance processes. However, his tenure was also met with criticism, especially over the challenges economic problems such as rising debt, inflation and currency devaluation.
In 2024, Bawumia announced his candidacy for president, winning the NPP flagbearer election. Despite his efforts, he was defeated in the general election by John Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Bawumia’s career is defined by his innovative contributions in the field of governance and digitalization as well as the mixed reception of his economic management. His emphasis on technological and economic reform has set the benchmark for integrating digital solutions into national development strategies.
Social Media
- Wikipedia: Mahamudu Bawumia
- Instagram: Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia (@mbawumia)
- Twitter: Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia (@MBawumia) · X
- LinkedIn: Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia – Government of Ghana
Personal life
Mahamudu Bawumia married Samira Bawumia (née Ramadan), who was known for her philanthropy and campaigning for women’s and children’s rights. She is the founder of Samira’s humanitarian and empowerment projects (SEHP), focusing on literacy, women’s empowerment and health.
They met through common friends and married in February 2004. There have been rumors and discussions about Bawumia’s marital status, especially around the claims of another wife named Ramatu . However, Bawumia has publicly stated that Samira is his only wife, clarifying that any reports suggesting otherwise are false. His religion allowed polygamy, but he was only known to have had one wife.
Mahamudu and Samira Bawumia have four children together — a daughter, Nadia Bawumia, three sons, Abdul Bawumia and Mahmoud Junior, and another son whose name has not been publicly mentioned. Information about Mahamudu Bawumia’s exact height is not consistently recorded in public records, but he appears to be of average height for a man in Ghana, estimated at 5 feet 9 inches to 6 feet.
Net worth
Mahamudu Bawumia’s net worth is a subject of public interest, especially given his role in Ghanaian politics and economics. Recent estimates place his net worth at between $5 million and $250 million, although the exact figure is difficult to verify due to the private nature of his personal finances.
His accumulation of wealth can be attributed to his career in the banking sector, where he served as Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, his academic pursuits, and his subsequent political influence, including the position of Vice President of Ghana.