The flagbearer of the governing New Patriotic Party, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, outlined his vision for the country on February 7, setting the tone for his campaign ahead of the 2024 elections. 

Dr. Bawumia’s main contender, John Dramani Mahama, launched his campaign in the Volta region last year. Mr. Mahama shared his views and policies, which he believes are the panacea for the ailing Ghanaian economy. He has promised to champion job creation to provide sustainable employment for the teeming unemployed youth.

3news.com tabulates some key areas to compare the promises made by the two leading contenders.

Key Areas Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia (NPP) John Dramani Mahama (NDC)
Jobs creation In collaboration with the private sector, we will train at least 1,000,000 youth in IT skills, including software developers, to provide job opportunities worldwide. Actively pursue policies to ensure robust local participation in our banking, financial telecommunication, mining agriculture, agribusiness, and manufacturing sectors. All these will be anchored on our plan to grow the economy and create sustainable employment for our young people.
Number of Ministers My ministers will not exceed fifty (50). I believe that given the present economic challenges confronting us, we can effectively run a government with sixty (60) ministers and deputy ministers of state.
Constitutional Review I am committed to the process to amend the 1992 Constitution through extensive public consultation, with key emphasis on issues such as ex-gratia, the rights of dual citizens, election of MMDCEs to deepen decentralization, and empowering institutions while reducing the power of the President. The payment of ex-gratia to members of the executive will be scrapped.

We will continue and bring to conclusion the constitution review process began by President Atta Mills including a review of the controversial article 71 to reduce the number of officeholders and remove the disparities in privileges and emoluments vis a vis the public and civil service.
Economy To move towards a cashless economy, however, we have to encourage the population to use electronic channels of payment.

To accomplish this, there will be no taxes on digital payments under my administration. The e-levy will therefore be abolished.

 Restore stability and inclusive growth in our economy by bringing various indicators under control.

Strictly enforce prudence and responsibility in the management of public finances.

Embark on sweeping reforms at the Bank of Ghana.

Restore faith in the financial sector.

Continue abandoned projects.
Education My government would make coding and robotics standards in senior high school. The foundation is being laid with the provision of laptops to SHS students soon. BECE graduates will select their senior high schools after their results have been released to avoid the chaos facing the current system.
Fight against corruption The e-cedi, with appropriate privacy protections, will be the ultimate weapon in our fight against corruption because it will provide transparency, and reduce the risk of fraud, robbery, tax avoidance, and money laundering since it will be easy to track the movement of money and identify suspicious activity. The anti-corruption agencies will be given unfettered space to do their work. The days of the infamous ‘clearing agent’ will be well and truly over. But to ensure efficiency and professionalism in this endeavour, institutions of the state would be empowered to be independent in their work.

Read more:

  • Bawumia doesn’t have what it takes to abolish the taxes – Gatsi
  • Full Text: Speech by Dr Mahamudu Bawumia at UPSA auditorium