Ghana’s Vice President and New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, organized a significant meeting with European Union (EU) Ambassadors and private sector leaders at the EU Ambassador’s Residence in Accra.
This gathering provided a platform for Dr. Bawumia to outline his strategic vision for Ghana’s future development and reforms should he be elected President.
During the meeting, Dr. Bawumia emphasized the importance of modernizing Ghana’s tax system, using Estonia’s blockchain model as a reference. He stressed the need for improved tax traceability and data cross-checking to broaden the taxpayer base.
The Vice President also discussed plans to invest in public transport and electric vehicles, including the upcoming arrival of 200 Honda electric buses for testing in the coming months. He highlighted the significance of responsible small-scale mining to prevent environmental damage and stressed the importance of industrialization for job creation and investment attraction.
Dr. Bawumia also highlighted the role of technology in restructuring sectors like agriculture and addressing regional security challenges. He reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to upholding an inclusive democracy amid regional instability and advocated for collaboration with neighboring countries and Europe.
In terms of policy, Dr. Bawumia expressed willingness to review various policies, including those related to local content and the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act, to create a more favorable investment climate. He emphasized the importance of regulatory predictability for businesses and proposed reforms in land title systems and tax exemptions for investors.
Furthermore, the Vice President and NPP flagbearer suggested simplifying the tax system with a flat tax rate and digitizing processes to combat corruption. He also emphasized the need for competition in the energy sector to enhance services and reduce monopolies, including the removal of VAT from solar energy.
While acknowledging the role of education in national development, Dr. Bawumia reiterated his support for the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy and highlighted the progress made in education, particularly with STEM and other programs aimed at broadening students’ horizons.
In summary, Dr. Bawumia’s comprehensive plan aims to drive economic growth, attract investment, improve governance, and address key challenges facing Gha