Vice President and Flagbearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has clarified the role of the government’s Economic Management Team (EMT).
Addressing the nation at the University of Professional Studies in Accra, he emphazied that while he was appointed as the Chairman of the EMT, the team lacked decision-making powers yet provided the best advice to cabinet.
As a sub-committee of the cabinet, their function was to provide recommendations rather than enact them.
“I am very proud of the quality of advice we have been providing over the years to Cabinet,” Dr. Bawumia remarked.
He also outlined his aspirations for the nation if elected as President highlighting the achievements of the government.
Dr. Bawumia specifically mentioned the successful implementation of the Ghanacard project, initiated during President Kufuor’s tenure. He noted that under his oversight, the National Identification Authority had enrolled approximately 17 million individuals onto the Ghanacard, a significant improvement compared to the 900,000 cards issued between 2007 and 2016.
“With the Ghanacard, the identity of people (even dead people) can be established using their fingerprints. With the Ghanacard, every Ghanaian, regardless of location or status, whether rich or poor, now can be officially registered and recognized as a Ghanaian. Before this, it was possible for someone to be born, live and die in Ghana without ever being registered,” he added.
Dr. Bawumia also outlined several policy initiatives to be implemented if elected as President in the upcoming December elections. These include bolstering the role of the private sector, enhancing fiscal and administrative decentralization, and optimizing the functionality of systems and institutions to enhance efficiency and minimize wastage.
He disclosed plans to establish an independent fiscal responsibility council aimed at reducing budget deficits and interest rates under his leadership. Additionally, he proposed amendments to the Fiscal Responsibility Act to include a fiscal rule preventing budgeted expenditures from exceeding 105% of the previous year’s tax revenue.
Dr. Bawumia reiterated his commitment to alleviating the fiscal burden on the government by harnessing the potential of the private sector.
He emphasized that his administration would focus on job creation and wealth generation through private sector participation in infrastructure and service provision, building upon the successful implementation of initiatives such as Free SHS and Free TVET.
With these strategies in place, Dr. Bawumia envisions a prosperous future for Ghana, marked by sustainable economic growth and widespread opportunity for all citizens.
