Dr. Anthony Yaw Baah presenting the TUC Manifesto to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia
The Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Dr. Anthony Yaw Baah, has praised the “It is possible” campaign message of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
The TUC Secretary-General stated in a meeting with Dr. Bawumia that the message, “It is possible”, is an important and good statement for the nation.
According to him, the message speaks to the hopes and aspirations of many Ghanaians seeking positive change and development in the country.
“Dr. Bawumia once said ideas, systems, and institutions are ingredients for transforming a country… I personally listened to him during his recent campaign tour across the country and he insists that it is possible, and I see that everywhere,” he asserted.
Dr. Baah added, “It is possible, I think, that positive message is very important for this country.”
He emphasised the TUC’s support for Dr. Bawumia’s initiatives and handed the “TUC Manifesto” to the NPP leader, indicating that the union is ready to collaborate with the government.
His comments came after the NPP’s flagbearer delivered a presentation in which he restated his commitment to reduce government borrowing and promote fiscal discipline through strategic collaborations with the private sector.
Dr. Bawumia emphasised the importance of a strong private sector in meeting national economic objectives and minimising reliance on government borrowing.
The 2024 NPP flagbearer said he was determined to use the country’s gold reserves to stabilise the depreciation of the Ghana Cedi.
Dr. Bawumia stated that his government would provide resources to the Geological Survey Authority and technical universities to conduct exploration of the country’s seven gold belts to ensure that the gold concessions yield beneficial results.
He restated his plans to establish a Minerals Development Bank to help small-scale miners secure capital for their operations, stating that the industry has the potential to earn three billion dollars annually.
“The goal is that we are going to back our currency with gold… because it is very easy for us to do so,” he stated.
He explained that “if you keep having gold reserves, that gold gives a lot of stability in the exchange market.”
As things are, he admitted, “We don’t have an anchor to hold the currency, but if we back it with gold, it will be very stable.”
Workers Protection
Dr. Bawumia also promised to improve the National Labour Commission during his presidency by establishing offices throughout the country.
He said that would make sure the Commission operates effectively and on a full time basis.
The Vice President reiterated his plans to introduce a flat tax rate in 2025, following tax amnesty for all citizens.
Regarding fiscal discipline, the NPP flagbearer declared that his administration would ensure that the Fiscal Responsibility Council operated independently and had oversight over the Ministry of Finance.
On constitutional matters, Dr. Bawumia promised to review Article 87 of the 1992 Constitution and the National Development Planning Commission Act (Act 479) to ensure that they are in line with the nation’s development goals.
Dr. Bawumia attended the meeting in the company of Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the Chairman of the NPP Manifesto Committee, Joseph Cudjoe, Minister of Public Enterprises, and Ignatius Baffour Awuah, Minister of Employment and Labour Relations.
By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent