The New Patriotic Celebration (NPP) flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, on Sunday, August 25, 2024, engaged the media in an insightful dialog in regards to the economic system and his insurance policies to remodel Ghana.
The extremely anticipated media engagement comes barely 4 months earlier than the essential 2024 common elections.
Additionally, it follows the official launch of the NPP’s manifesto every week in the past and served as a possibility for Dr. Bawumia to offer a clearer understanding of his imaginative and prescient for the nation forward of the polls.
Listed below are some key highlights from the engagement.
14 commitments to Ghanaians
Dr. Bawumia reiterated his 14 commitments to the Ghanaian individuals if elected president within the upcoming December 7 polls.
These commitments embody sustaining and increasing Ghana’s rebounding economic system, creating new jobs, implementing wide-ranging tax reforms, and constructing Ghana right into a world-class digital economic system.
Dr. Bawumia additionally highlighted plans to cut back the price of dwelling, increase public infrastructure, and supply higher healthcare for all.
He hopes to guard the atmosphere, increase sports activities, artistic arts, and tourism, and improve border safety.
Peaceable elections
The NPP intends to run a marketing campaign centered on concepts and conduct themselves in a fashion befitting a democratic group.
Dr. Bawumia, who gave this assurance, urged these threatening violence to rethink, reminding them that such actions are un-Ghanaian and that the nation’s peace have to be preserved.
“Not a single drop of Ghanaian blood ought to be sacrificed for energy,” he added.
Job creation
Dr. Bawumia stated offering jobs for the youth can be a key precedence of his administration if elected president.
Moreover, the youth can be geared up with Info and Communication Know-how (ICT) abilities.
In keeping with the NPP flagbearer, such coaching would open up job alternatives inside Ghana and internationally.
Complete tax reforms
Dr. Bawumia additionally outlined a complete tax reform programme designed to create a extra beneficial atmosphere for companies, together with the implementation of a flat tax fee and tax amnesty.
He assured that if given the nod, his administration would introduce a variety of incentives to assist enterprise growth.
NABCo beneficiaries will obtain their arrears
The Nation Builders Corps (NABCo) programme is a authorities initiative carried out to deal with the rising phenomenon of graduate unemployment.
Nevertheless, some NABCo beneficiaries say for the previous 11 months they haven’t been paid their arrears.
Regardless of a collection of protests, the beneficiaries declare their pleas have fallen on demise fears.
The aggrieved employees stated the federal government’s failure to settle arrears way back to 2023 has led to immense hardships.
Dr. Bawumia, nevertheless, indicated that efforts can be made to get arrears owed to beneficiaries paid.
80% of guarantees fulfilled
Dr. Bawumia has stated the federal government achieved 80% of guarantees made in its 2020 manifesto, beating the opposition NDC.
In keeping with the NPP Flagbearer, the NDC was in a position to obtain solely 28% of its 2012 manifesto below Mr. John Mahama.
Nationwide Cathedral
The development of the Nationwide Cathedral has garnered important consideration because it was first introduced by President Nana Akufo-Addo in 2018.
Whereas the development is ongoing, the undertaking has not been with out its share of controversy, most notably the latest resignations of a number of outstanding clergy members from the Board of Trustees.
Additionally, questions of accountability and the undertaking’s relevance within the face of the nation’s financial disaster have been repeatedly raised by the Minority in Parliament.
Critics say though they recognise the necessity to honour God, the timing of the undertaking was not prudent because it was a private pledge by the President to God.
Nevertheless, proponents of the undertaking imagine {that a} grand cathedral would function a unifying image for the nation, a spot for religious reflection, and an emblem of nationwide satisfaction.
Responding to a query in regards to the undertaking, Dr. Bawumia said that he would make sure the completion of the stalled Nationwide Cathedral undertaking if elected president.
In keeping with him, state funds have been used within the building of the edifice to this point, therefore the necessity to full it.
Press freedom
Dr. Bawumia has condemned assaults on journalists by supporters of political events.
In keeping with the NPP flagbearer. Such acts undermine democracy.
He maintains that no journalist ought to be assaulted for doing their job.
Scrap E-levy
Dr. Bawumia has introduced that the controversial levy on cellular transactions, generally referred to as the e-levy, can be scrapped in his first funds presentation to Parliament by March 2025.
In the end, the media engagement served as a key second for Dr. Bawumia to attach with the citizens and description his financial priorities because the 2024 elections strategy.