NPP Manifesto Launch: I Mean Business, Give Me The Steer – Bawumia

“I mean business so give me the steer”. This was Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s clarion call to Ghanaian voters as he presented the NPP Election 2024 manifesto in Takoradi on Sunday, August 18.

The main auditorium where the launch took place was filled to capacity while thousands of party faithful monitored from outside.

Business-Friendly Environment
Dr Bawumia, who spent hours presenting the ‘Manifesto of Possibilities’, assured to create a more business-friendly environment.

He re-stated his pledge to abolish the E-Levy and betting tax if elected President. He also promised that his government would give tax amnesty for previous years’ tax payments and waivers for interest and penalties on unfiled taxes.

“We will implement wide-ranging tax reforms-offer a one-time tax amnesty to all Ghanaians and corporate entities through Tax amnesty from the payment of taxes from the previous years. This will enable everyone to start their tax journey afresh,” the flagbearer said.

Other Key Areas
Other key areas of the manifesto as presented by Bawumia included:
1. Reforming electricity tariffs to establish a structure where commercial rates are equal to or lower than residential rates, ensuring affordable power for industries and businesses.
2. Utilizing the government’s purchasing power to stimulate industrial expansion and business growth by implementing a “Buy Ghana First” policy, where public sector procurement prioritizes locally produced goods and services.
3. Completing the digitalization of land titling and registration, enabling property owners to use their assets as collateral to raise capital for business growth and expansion.
4. Establishing an SME Bank to address the specific financing needs of small and medium enterprises, which employ over 80% of Ghanaians.
5. Reforming the licensing regime for the small-scale mining sector, reducing the minerals export tax to 1% to curb gold smuggling, and establishing a Minerals Development Bank to finance viable local mineral projects, small-scale miners, and Ghanaian mining services firms.

Mahama Running Away
Dr Bawumia again took on the flagbearer of the NDC, John Dramani Mahama, for running away from a presidential debate ahead of the elections.

He stated: “It is crystal clear that from the data we have given that our overall performance and track record are superior to that of my opponent and his party. In virtually every sector, we are superior. But I believe as a former president and proud student of history, he knows that and that’s one part of the reasons why he’s avoiding a debate.

“Another part of course is about the courage and confidence to put what he intends to do differently this time around with the power he seeks side by side with the vision I have for Ghana and the clear road map to getting the work done. That is the choice we are presenting to you the Ghanaian voter on December 7.”