Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia believes the outcome of the December 7, 2024 general election has a lot in stock.
He believes it is what will define the future of the country, whether Ghana will move forward or slide back.
According to him, a vote for him and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), which he now leads as its presidential candidate, will be a continuation of the several good works started by incumbent President Akufo-Addo, and a vote for former President Mahama and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) will literally lead to retrogression.
This was when he kick-started his Greater Accra Region campaign on Monday, visiting the Ablekuma North, West, and South constituencies.
Everywhere he went, from the Odorkor trotro station, through the Mallam market, the Kokompe car spare parts dealers market to Shukura, Dansoman Last Stop and finally at Dansoman Tony’s Park, Dr. Bawumia was received with open arms and hearts, telling the people why they should vote for him come December 7 when the country heads to the polls.
He mentioned a number of policies which failed under the government of former President John Mahama, including the cancellation of the teacher and nursing trainees’ allowances, lack of chalk for schools, collapse of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), and said under the current government the training allowances had been restored.
Apart from that, he said government has improved the NHIS while some ailments which were not covered by the scheme such as kidney dialysis and sickle cell have all been added.
Dr. Bawumia, who was addressing a stakeholder engagement with chiefs, Christian and Muslim clergy, also sought the support of the chiefs and people, and shared his vision to improve businesses and create jobs, saying his Women’s Trade Empowerment Fund and bank for small and medium scale enterprises would help empower and boost the businesses of women.
The NPP flagbearer took time to interact with enthusiastic traders and pedestrians at the Odorkor lorry station, Mallam market and vehicle and spare parts hub at Kokompe in Darkuman.
He also explained a number of policies he intends to introduce, including his proposed flat tax system and the introduction of the tax amnesty as part of his plans to widen the tax net and also make the payment of tax enticing.
Dr. Bawumia and his entourage later visited the Ablekuma West Constituency, where he met with some Muslim leaders, chiefs of Sempe and the clergy, interacted with traders at Dansoman Last Stop and addressed a well-attended rally at Tony’s Park, also at Dansoman in the evening.
He told the chiefs of Sempe during the stakeholder engagement that he would amend Section 63 of the Chieftaincy Act under his presidency, to bring chiefs closer to government.
Dr. Bawumia also reiterated his resolve to re-designate churches and faith-based institutions as development partners so that they are given incentives when they initiate projects which aid development.
On LGBTQ+, he reiterated that it would not be allowed under his government, no matter the cost and added that “We will bear the cost to protect our values.”
The NPP flagbearer said he would institutionalise the gold for oil policy to stabilise the cedi.
He also promised to make the application of technology in agriculture a priority, and added that he would provide capital to support the farmers.
Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ablekuma West who doubles as Minister for Communications, appealed to the chiefs and clergy to support her and the NPP flagbearer saying, “We are working with the people so we need your support.”
Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful said, “We have done enough but we know there is more to be done.”
She said President Akufo-Addo had placed the country on a better foundation which needed someone in the person of Dr. Bawumia to come and build upon it.
By Charles Takyi-Boadu, Presidential Correspondent