A statement issued by his press aide, Kofi Abrefa Afena on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, said the words uttered in the video were made by the minister in 2014 and were directed at the President at the time, John Dramani Mahama.

Consequently, he asked Ghanaians to disregard the distortions put on the video by his political detractors.

The press aide emphasised that the Manhyia South MP made those assertions in reaction to the State of the Nation address presented by then President John Dramani Mahama in 2014.

“The said interview by Dr Prempeh was in February 2014, in reaction to the State of the Nation Address of then President John Mahama where he blamed the country’s economic woes on external shocks. In fact, at the time, the Cedi was rated as the worst-performing currency in the world.”

“It is therefore unfathomable, how any reasonable person, after listening to this straight-forward interview, would nonetheless conclude that Dr Prempeh was referring to His Excellency the Vice President. Indeed, in the said clip, Dr Prempeh kept referring to “the President” so that cannot possibly be in reference to Dr Bawumia, who has never served as President of this republic.”

Best choice

Emphasising that the minister has unwavering confidence in Dr Bawumia, the statement said, the Vice President who is the NPP flagbearer for the 2024 elections is the best choice for Ghanaians, and the NPP to secure a victory in the elections.

“Dr Prempeh wishes to reiterate his absolute belief and confidence in the flagbearer of the NPP, His Excellency, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as the most competent and credible candidate, with the proven incorruptibility, to beat the NDC flagbearer in 2024, based on the NPP’s superior record in government.”

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Energy Minister is of the firm view that, the people of Ghana on the balance of probabilities, will renew the NPP mandate with Dr Bawumia because, even in the face of genuine global shocks, as attested to by former President Mahama in his foreign engagements, the government has remained resolute, steering the country out of the woods,” he stated .

Read the full statement below:

Known as Tap n’ Go, the app, which was launched in Accra on Thursday, December 14, 2023 is a collaboration between the GPRTU and the Office of the Vice President.

The system, which operates like the established ride-hailing apps such as Uber, Yango and Bolt, can be download on the Google Playstore and Apple App Store.

Features/requirements

The Tap n’ Go app has features including ‘private dropping’ (private cars operating as taxis), and  ‘metered service’ (where a passenger instantly stops a taxi in the middle of the road and a meter is turned on to determine the charge), in addition to the usual online service app.

There are two Tap n’ Go applications: Tap n’ Go app for users and Tap n’ Go Driver for interested taxi drivers.  Both apps can be downloaded on Google Play Store for Android phones and  Apple Store, for iPhone users.

The requirements for registration for interested taxi drivers are among others, the Ghana Card, which will ensure that all drivers in the database can be traced.

Pilot

According to the developers, the system is currently being piloted in some parts of Accra including Airport, East Legon, University of Ghana, Circle/Kaneshie area and Dansoman, after which it will be rolled out nationwide next year.

Protecting taxi business 

At the launch of the app in Accra, the National Chairman of the GPRTU, Nana Nimako Bresiamah, said when the Union approached the Vice President on the way taxi drivers were losing their business to online foreign taxi services, he showed interest in protecting the taxi business.

“The taxi driving business, as we all know, has been taken online by many foreign companies, and for our members who were still operating the old way, we were gradually getting out of business and the launch of this app, through the support and efforts of Vice President Bawumia, is a timely intervention to save our business.

“We want to express our utmost gratitude to Vice President Bawumia for the concern he showed when we met him and also for intervening on our behalf through this app to aid our business. This is our own. The other apps are controlled by foreign interests but this is our own,” he said.

Drivers satisfied 

A number of taxi drivers who spoke at the event also commended the Vice President for the support leading to the breakthrough in taxi operations .

Speaking at the 20th Ghana Club 100 Awards in Accra last Friday, the NPP flagbearer for the 2024 elections said areas like passport acquisition and port clearance has reduced human intervention through the Ghana Card identity system.

Private sector

Dr. Bawumia also recognized the crucial role of the private sector in economic development and reiterated the government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
Reflecting on the challenges posed by an informal economy characterized by indisciplined practices, Dr Bawumia highlighted the various issues, including corruption, lawlessness, tax evasion, and identity fraud.

Overcoming challenges

To counter these challenges and unlock the economy’s potential, Dr Bawumia said the government embarked on a comprehensive formalization process, heavily relying on digitalization.
“You look at an economy in the informal sense which turned to be undisciplined, the society is undisciplined because the economy is informal and there are no consequences for bad actions.”
He added: “These ills of the informal economy that we really inherited made it very difficult for the economy to transform to its potential. That is why we set out to formalize the economy to make sure that the economy works in a transparent system.
“This is why we have been moving steadily and we have made a lot of progress in this particular area. Today, we have enrolled over 17million people on the Ghana Card, today we have linked all bank accounts to the Ghana Card, and linked all SIM cards to the Ghana Card, TIN is your Ghana Card number, NHIS number is your Ghana Card number, today we have linked the Ghana Card to the Controller and Accountant General Department payroll. Today we are increasing this formalization of the economy as a result of digitalisation, we are digitalizing all government services through Ghana.gov.gh and so on.”

This election will be a new ball game rather than a replay of 2023. This is because the fundamentals are quite different.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will end his two terms, and a new President will be elected. The stage is therefore set for one of the fiercest presidential elections in the history of the country.

Stakes high

It will be a crucial election with stakes so high for the two leading political parties—the New Patriotic Party ( NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Without doubt, the presidential election will be a direct contest between Dr Mahamudu Bawumia of the NPP and John Dramani Mahama of the NDC.

The coming months therefore hold a lot for the two parties as they push to get the electorate to buy into their messages .

Breaking the 8

While the NPP is bent on making history by breaking the eight year election cycle between the two leading parties, the NDC is also determined to stage a come back to power.

With the slogan , “ Breaking the 8”, the NPP are waging a campaign that seeks to convince Ghanaians on why the party should be retained in power to continue its good works.

The election of Dr Bawumia as the NPP flag bearer for the elections has shaken the very foundations of the NDC.

With a new dynamism introduced into the political space, the Vice President is working to penetrate the strongholds of the NDC, while maintaining a stranglehold on its traditional strongholds.

Dr Bawumia said after he won the NPP flag bearer contest, “ I am determined to work with all of them and all our supporters to achieve the Party’s ambition of Breaking the 8.”

‘I must win’

John Mahama on the other hand is also working hard to stage a come back, in spite of the task ahead of him.

In his victory speech after being elected NDC flag bearer for the 2024 election, he said, “ I must win the elections to enable us build the Ghana we want together. I pledge to lead you to a resounding victory in December 2024.”

Records

The two leading candidates come to the election with performance records.

But, 2024 will be different from the last polls because unlike 2020 when the major contestants — Nana Akufo-Addo and John Mahama— had both tasted the presidency, this time one of them, Dr Bawumia , is entering the race having only been a Vice President.

Nevertheless, considering the fact that Mahama had also become Vice President before before he became President, it will be interesting how voters will be able to decide whose record is better.

The Akufo-Addo government has achieved some amount of positives, with Dr Bawumia leading some of the notable policies, including digitalization.

Impressed with the quality of candidates chosen to represent the party in the orphan constituencies following last weekend’s primaries, he said, “With great determination and collective working spirit, we are going to win a majority of these orphan seats during the 2024 general election. To keep our momentum and to accomplish victory, we need to stay united from the grassroots down to the highest levels of leadership.”
In a statement, Dr Bawumia said the party’s preparedness and determination to take majority of these seats from the NDC was demonstrated by the primaries.

New faces

After the voting, many new faces, a number of them young people, emerged.
Key constituencies and winners included, Awutu Senya West, Eugene Arhin; Okwaikwei North, Nana Ama Dokua Asiamah Adjei ; Adentan, Akosua Manu ; Klottey Korle, Valentino Nii Noi Nortey; Asawase, Manaf Ibrahim; Ledzokuku, Dr Bernard Okoe-Boye; Ablekuma Central, Jefferson Kwamina Sackey, and Odododiodio, Abdul Manaf Nii Adjei Sowah
Others are Prestea Huni Valley, Barbara Oteng Gyasi; Savelugu, Fatahiya Abdul Aziz; Wa Central, Hajia Umu Awudu ; Tamale South, Musah Fuseini; Wenchi, Kojo Frempong; Cape Coast North, Ekow Ewusi, and Jaman South, Col (Retd) Kwadwo Damoah.

Peaceful primaries

Generally, the primaries were peaceful, save some few disagreements over qualifications to vote.
Candidates who lost did not complain and many saw it as a positive sign for the party going into the 2024 elections.
Dr Bawumia commended the NPP national leadership, particularly for supervising very peaceful and transparent primaries in the orphan constituencies.
“On behalf of the party, I offer my sincere congratulations to all our newly elected parliamentary candidates for our beloved NPP,” he added.

Victory not everything

Dr Bawumia reminded the victorious candidates that their victory is not the end, but the beginning of a new chapter of service and responsibility.
“To win the confidence of the Ghanaian people, we must adopt humility and grace. Special thanks to the aspirants who couldn’t make it for your determination and courage. The party is indebted to you.
“For us in the NPP, we have a fundamental commitment to our goal of breaking the 8 in 2024 and I call upon all dedicated party members and supporters to step up their efforts to achieve this noble objective. Together, we are going to continue in our quest for a brighter Ghana’s future with unshakable determination, unity in purpose, and determinedness. It is possible,” he stated,

He said the former President is going round claiming he has new ideas, when in reality, that is not the case.
Dr Bawumia said this when he addressed thousands of people in Nalerigu, the North East Regional capital on Monday, November 20, 2023.
The Vice President, who was in his home region after his victory in the NPP presidential primary had earlier called on the Nayiri, Naa Bohagu Mahami Abdulai Sheriga at his palace.

24-hour economy

Firing salvos at the former President, Dr Bawumia said, Mr Mahama misunderstands the 24-hour economy policy he has proposed.
“John Mahama says he has a new idea. What is the idea? He says he wants a 24-hour economy. He doesn’t even understand that policy. Today in Ghana, our hospitals work 24 hours, our electricity company works 24 hours, our water company works 24 hours, our fuel stations work 24 hours, and many chop bars work 24 hours. Today because of digitalisation, you can transfer money 24 hours, you can receive money 24 hours. So he doesn’t understand his own policy. It doesn’t make sense.”

Disastrous presidency

Stating that Mr Mahama is going around the country and speaking to people as if he has never been President before, Dr Bawumia added, “ When we were suffering under his Presidency, he told us he was a dead goat. A dead goat who had no feelings. Today he wants to resurrect and become a live goat.”
“Suddenly he has all the solutions to our problems. But when he was President, what solutions did he bring to Ghana? Did he solve the unemployment problem? Did he create jobs? Did he tackle corruption? Did he issue Ghana cards? Did he build astro turfs? Did he abolish the three months pay policy for teachers? Did he establish Free SHS? He had no solutions to our problems.”

‘I bring new vision’

Saying that even as Vice President, his records have been solid, Dr Bawumia stated, “I have not yet become President but I, as a Vice President, have brought solutions to many of our problems.
“ So I want you to vote for me in 2024 because I will bring a new vision, I will bring a new policy. Mahama is the past, Dr Bawumia is the future. “
Giving details of some of the work he has done as Vice President, Dr Bawumia said, “We did not have a unique identity so I championed the government’s policy for the Ghanacard. Today we have 17 million people issued with tje Ghanacard. Today, because of my proposal, we have no guarantor for student loan if you have a Ghanacard. Today Ghana has a digital property address system because we had a problem of no functional address.”
He added: “Before, you could not transfer money between one teleco to another. But today, because of mobile money interoperability, you can transfer money from Vodafone to mtn, to airtle tigo. Before, you could not transfer money between a bank account and a mobile account. Today you can do that. Today, you can renew the National Health Insurance on your mobile phone.”
“Today, you can sit at home and buy electricity credit on your mobile phone. Today we have brought zipline drones and they are delivering medicines to 2700 hospitals and clinics across the country.”
“Today, we have one constituency, one ambulance. And another idea I brought is Agenda 111. We are building hospitals in districts without hospitals. Other ideas I brought are Zongo Development Fund and Gold for Oil policy. Today you can aquire drivers license and passport online. Today you can file your taxes online.”

An investigative piece by ace journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, which is yet to be aired, allegedly captures Mr Adu Boahen, asking an investor to pay an appearance fee of $200,000 to enable a meeting between him and the Vice President.

Mr Adu Boahen also allegedly told the undercover investor that he should promise the Vice President of employing some of his relatives to accelerate his investment.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Monday terminated the appointment of Mr. Adu Boahen, with immediate effect.

A statement from the Director of Communications at the Jubilee House, Eugene Arhin indicated that the President took the decision after being made aware of the allegations levelled against the Minister in the exposé dubbed, “Galamsey Economy.”

“The President spoke to Mr. Adu Boahen, after which he took the decision to terminate his appointment,”

But in a statement, Mr Adu Boahen stated that there was an attempt to entrap him in 2018 and is innocent of all allegations against him.

He, however, added that he will cooperate with the relevant authorities for full investigations to prove his innocence.

Below is his Post

Source: citinewsroom

Speaking in Anlo on Saturday at the 2022 Hogbetsotso Festival, which happened to be the 60th Anniversary of the festival, Dr. Bawumia umderscored the need for cultural sustainability, explaining that it is about “maintaining cultural beliefs, cultural practices, heritage conservation, culture as its own entity, and the question of whether or not any given culture will exist in the future.”

Stressing on the immense contributions of culture to economic development, especially through tourism, Dr. Bawumia commended the Chiefs and people of Anlo state, for preserving the Hogbetsotso, which he said continues to attract visitors to the area, for several years.

“This festival has not been celebrated ever since the break out of the deadly Covid-19 pandemic, which brought many countries, businesses and organisations to their knees. Thanks to the good interventions and measures instituted by the His Royal Majesty, Torgbi Sri III and the good people of Anlo, this festival has once again seen the light of day,” Dr. Bawumia said.

“The Anlo State, over the past 60 years, has strived and contributed in many ways towards the Development of our dear nation Ghana. So, as we celebrate the 60th Annual Hogbetsotso Festival today, we must look back even as we take stock of our achievements and challenges over the years and re-strategise on how we can further accelerate the development of the Anlo State and Ghana at large,” Dr. Bawumia said.

“From their rich cultural heritage to cultural and creative industries, culture is both an enabler and driver of the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development of our people.”

“The people of Anlo have come this far with their unique culture and tradition and preserving such culture and heritage will be a legacy for the future and unborn generations”.

Dr. Bawumia also touted the tourism potential of the area, adding that issues affecting the area, such as poor road networks and the tidal wave, are being considered by the government to boost the tourism potential of the area.

“A common knowledge is that Anlo Traditional Area, especially Anloga and Keta is one of the growing, well patronized and highly competitive tourist destinations in Ghana and beyond. Aside the enormous tourism potentials of the districts, which draw hundreds of tourists here every week and several thousand every year, it is naturally, a peaceful area to sit and relax.”

The colourful festival, also attracted renowned traditional leaders of the country, including the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Ga Mantse Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II and the Omanhene of Kwahu Traditional Area Daasebre Akuamoah Agyapong II.

The presence of the Asantehene in Anlo was even more historic, as his visit was the first time in over 120 years that any Asantehene has visited the Volta Region.

According to the Damongo Member of Parliament, the Vice President known to all chiefdoms and palaces in the Savannah Region following his continous service to the various paramouncies and the people of Yagbon.

Samuel Abu Jinapor was speaking at the palace of Kpansheigu in Salaga in the Savannah Region where Dr Bawumia is touring as part of his working visits.

“I want to say that the Vice President, His Excellency Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is not a stranger to this [Kpansheigu] Palace. The Vice President is not a stranger and I dare say that Dr Bawumia is not a stranger to any palace in Yagbon in Gonja land. He has been serving the Gonja Chiefs for many many years and has been serving the skins of Gonja for many years,” he told the regent and people of Kpansheigu.

He added that “I can say without a shred of doubt that nobody has visited Jakpa palace more than the Vice President. He literally lives there, he literally sleeps there because he sees himself as a ‘Gonjalander’ and sees himself as a son and grandson of Jakpa and all of Gonja has also accepted him as our brother, our junior father and as our family member”.

Dr Bawumia is widely tipped to lead the governing New Patriotic Party as flagbearer in the 2024 elections, a bid which has received massive endorsement from grassroots, notable and leading members of the party.

At his 59th birthday celebration, several felicitations to him contained declaration and support for the yet to be announced ambition, a development election watchers have asserted puts the Vice President in the lead in the upcoming presidential primaries of the party.

The factory, formerly known as Astek, and renowned for its pineapple drinks, becomes the 77th factory in operation under the One District One Factory initiative, which was introduced by the government of President Akufo-Addo to industrialise the economy.

Speaking during the commissioning of the factory on Thursday May 20, Vice President Bawumia revealed that, Nano Foods, which has already provided about 100 direct jobs to the youth in the area, can process and package up to 6,000 mT of pineapple fruits into pineapple juice per annum.

This translates into 8 million cans of finished products per year, of which part of it would be exported to American and European markets.

SUCCESS OF 1D1F
Vice President Bawumia highlighted the success story of the One District One Factory so far, pointing out its successful links with government’s other transformationl projects such as the Planting for Food and Jobs.

“The One District One Factory (1D1F) initiative is a major component of the 10 – Point Industrial Transformational Agenda of the Government of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo which is being implemented since 2017,” Dr. Bawumia said.

“To date, a total of 232 projects are at various stages of implementation under the 1D1F initiative. Out of this, 76 factories are in operation with the Nano Foods pineapple processing factory being the 77th factory commissioned under 1D1F.

“The charge by the President is that we must move away from harvesters and exporters of low value unprocessed agricultural products, and we must do so in a hurry.”

“Planting for Food and Jobs is our first step. 1D1F is the second step to linking agriculture and industry. This is the way to enhance agricultural productivity, scale production, add value to what we produce, create jobs, increase incomes, and improve livelihoods.”

IMPACT OF 1D1F ON POST COVID-19 ECONOMIC RECOVERY
Vice President Bawumia also expressed optimism that the One District One Factory initiative, could be the game-changer in Ghana’s post covid-19 economic recovery and transformation if well harnessed.

With economies around the world ravaged by the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, and countries planning to overcome the effects, Dr. Bawumia believes Ghana’s strategic revitalisation of industries, which commenced before covid-19 struck, could play a key role in Ghana’s economic recovery.

“Without doubt, if Ghanaians can capitalize on the innumerable benefits of the 1D1F, it could be a game changer for the post COVID-19 economic recovery and transformation of Ghana,” Dr. Bawumia said.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, as the world continues to navigate the challenging times presented by the Covid-19, it is important that we explore all the opportunities in the traditional sectors of the economy to accelerate the economic transformation agenda led by the President.”

“I can assure you of the unwavering effort and responsibility of the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo Government in stimulating economic growth, creating jobs, and promoting shared prosperity.”

The Minister for Trade and Industry, Alan Kyeremateng was among dignitaries who were present for the commissioning of the factory.