Bawumia responding to cheers from the crowd during one of his constituency visits
Vice President and flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has ended ‘The Possibilities Tour’ phase 2 in the five regions of the north.
He began the tour at his home region, the North East Region of the country.
He started the tour with his constituency-focused campaign in the Nalerigu/Gambaga, Yunyoo and Bunkpurugu constituencies with engagements with energised party folks and ordinary Ghanaians who appreciate his vision for Ghana’s future.
He thanked the traditional authorities – the Nayiri, Gbintiri Naaba, Yunyoo Rana and Bunkpurugu Naaba – for their warm welcome into their palaces.
On the second day of his constituency-focused campaign, he engaged the chiefs, and people of Chereponi and Mion constituencies with massive energy from his supporters, particularly the youth who despite the rains stood with him, proving that ‘breaking the eight’ is possible.
The NPP flagbearer then proceeded to engage the people of Kpandai, Wulensi and Bimbilla constituencies on the third day of his constituency-focused nationwide campaign.
He held meetings with chiefs, key stakeholders and the youth, and underscored the point that he has been an agent of change as Vice President with his limited powers, stressing that he will do even more as President when given the mandate to serve as leader of the nation.
He also visited the Tatale/Sanguli, Zabzugu and Yendi constituencies as part of his constituency-focused campaign tour.
The energetic support of his vision for national development was most appreciated. He noted that combining the fertile abilities of the youth and properly thought-through policies and programmes will surely take the country to the next level.
Gushegu, Karaga and Nanton constituencies gave him a rousing welcome. From the chiefs to opinion leaders to the youth, it was increasingly clear that his resolve to mount an issues-based campaign is the right path to success.
It was the turn of Karaga, where he cut sod for works to commence on the first tertiary-level training institution designed solely to train teachers for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in Ghana.
He indicated that when completed, the Namburugu STEM College of Education will become the primary source for instructors who will teach at the various STEM Schools the government has established across the country, adding that the first phase of the project is expected to be completed by the end of November this year.
“As a government, we remain committed to a comprehensive STEM programme that will prepare our youth for the future,” he said.
The feeling of possibilities was infectious in Savelugu, Tamale North, and Sagnarigu where he continued his constituency-focused campaign tour in the Northern Region.
“The people of the north have embraced my vision of building a modern Ghanaian society fueled by a mindset of possibilities, and capable of conforming to the trends of the 4th Industrial Revolution,” he stated.
Savannah Region
The flagbearer of the NPP commenced his constituency-focused tour in the Yapei Kusawgu and Salaga South constituencies of the Savannah Region.
He reaffirmed his commitment, when elected President, to facilitate the amendment of Section 63 (D) of the Chieftaincy Act to restore more adjudicatory powers to traditional authorities, for the enhancement of the justice delivery system.
“Our traditional authorities play an important role in national development, but their ability to contribute even more has been restricted by the 1992 Constitution,” he said.
He continued his constituency-focused nationwide campaign with intensive engagements in the Daboya-Mankarigu, Bole-Bamboi and Sawla-Tuna-Kalba constituencies in the region.
“My campaign continues to be issues-based, focusing on my vision of building a modern Ghana anchored on a solid foundation of education, technology and skills-acquisition in order to take full advantage of the possibilities inherent in the 4th Industrial Revolution,” he said.
Upper West Region
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s engagements in Wa Central and Wa West were very revealing and fulfilling.
He disclosed that the average Ghanaian is becoming increasingly sophisticated, accessing up-to-date information on world events and better appreciating the strides made so far in Ghana and the impact of the vision on future generations, adding that with the help of all Ghanaians, it is indeed ‘Possible to break the eight’.
“With the very significant issuance of the Ghana Card, the merging of databases and the exponential growth of financial inclusion following the success of mobile money interoperability, all is now set for the operation of a Credit Scoring system for Ghana,” he asserted.
According to him, the operation of a Credit Scoring system will make it easier for the ordinary Ghanaian to purchase essentials such as cars, mobile phones, and obtain loans at lower interest rates.
“In most advanced nations, mobile phones can even be obtained for free from the phone companies with a two or three year contract subject to your credit score. Unfortunately, my opponents always think in terms of impossibilities and criticise without knowledge,” he added.
He presented many more of his vision for Ghana’s future when he interacted with the people of Lambussie, Nandom and Lawra constituencies, as part of his campaign tour.
Dr. Bawumia revealed that the evidence clearly shows that over the past seven years, the country, particularly the north, has witnessed major developments designed to improve the wellbeing of the people.
During his interactions with the chiefs and people in the Wa East, Daffiama-Bussie-Issa and Nadowli-Kaleo constituencies, he was delighted by testimonies that over the past seven years, there have been major improvements in the quality and quantity of roads, schools, health facilities, water supply, rural telephony and many others, compared to previous administrations.
He assured them that their faith in his ability to deliver even more as President is based on verifiable evidence.
The NPP flagbearer said although mining activities have taken place for decades in Ghana, the nation has not benefited as much as it should.
“My new mining policies, including the establishment of a Mining Development Bank, resourcing the Geological Survey Department to undertake major exploration, ensuring 100% Ghanaian ownership of proven reserves earmarked for small-scale mining, establishment of plant pools in mining areas to promote shared user facilities, decentralising the mining licensing regime to all mining districts, and promotion of licensed community mining schemes to create more jobs and wealth for Ghanaians,” Dr. Bawumia stated.
Upper East Region
In the Upper East Region, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia noted that despite a myriad of challenges, the NPP government has introduced and continues to implement many initiatives that have far-reaching impacts, even for generations unborn.
“From the issuance of a National ID Card, through Mobile Money Interoperability, which has enabled access to financial and government services, to Free SHS and TVET preparing Ghana’s youth for the 4th Industrial Revolution, I have ably played an active role in fundamentally reforming the Ghanaian society,” he said.
At various engagements in Yagaba Kubori, Builsa North and South constituencies, the chiefs and people such as the Paramount Chief of the Builsa Traditional Area, hailed the impact the NPP government has had over the last seven years.
Residents of Bawku Central, Garu, Tempane and Pusiga constituencies welcomed the NPP flagbearer into their homes and hearts as he continued his constituency-focused nationwide campaign tour.
He shared his vision of a safe, secure, prosperous Ghana powered by the intellect and skills of its citizenry, and anchored on reforms in all sectors of daily lives including education, the economy and social safety nets.
He visited the Holy Ghost Temple Assemblies of God Church in Bolga and the Catholic Church in Tongo, and was warmly received.
The passion for Ghana’s imminent accelerated development was on full display through the rains in Talensi, Nabdam and Bolga East.
“The youth, whose future is of major importance to me, enthusiastically embraced my proposed sector by sector reforms, particularly for education, ICT, health and wealth creation. Given the right tools – education, skills, mindset of possibilities, among others, the Ghanaian has the potential to achieve hitherto unimagined heights,” he said.
During his engagements with the chiefs and people of the Bongo, Chiana-Paga and Navrongo constituencies, he continued to explain his 70-point agenda for Ghana’s accelerated development, including a focus on attaining sustainable macroeconomic stability, the introduction of a new tax system, building a digital economy and making Ghana a digital hub, power sector reform, and maximisation of the benefits from natural resources.
The rest includes industrialisation for jobs, fighting corruption using digitisation and a cashless society, development of a credit scoring system for Ghana, increasing collaboration with faith-based organisations, care for the vulnerable and special needs, and additional priorities.
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia ended his constituency-focused campaign in the North with engagements in Binduri, Zebilla and Bolga Central.
He was overwhelmed with the energy and enthusiasm across the five regions, describing it as humbling, infectious and exciting.
He thanked the people of North East, Northern, Savannah, Upper East and Upper West regions for the love and acceptance of the “It is Possible.”
BY Eric Kombat