The political arena reverberated with criticism as Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam George, took aim at Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, accusing him of resurrecting old promises in his recent lecture titled “Ghana’s Next Chapter: Selfless Leadership and Bold Solutions for the Future.”
In a scathing rebuke, Sam George highlighted perceived discrepancies in Bawumia’s claims regarding digitization and unfulfilled pledges. The MP questioned Bawumia’s assertions about the effectiveness of digitization initiatives, pointing to instances such as the alleged persistence of corruption at the passport office despite claims of digitization success. He cited a Daily Graphic report from September 2016 and fact-checks by organizations like Fact-Check Ghana as evidence contradicting Bawumia’s statements.
Moreover, Sam George criticized Bawumia for repeatedly promising initiatives without tangible outcomes, including the provision of laptops for tertiary students and the issuance of unique Ghana Card numbers for children from birth. He accused Bawumia of recycling promises made on multiple occasions without delivering on them, labeling the Vice President as a “confident trickster” who seeks to deceive Ghanaians with eloquent rhetoric.
The Ningo-Prampram MP’s remarks come in the wake of Dr. Bawumia’s announcement as the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) flagbearer. Dr. Bawumia declared his intention to abolish several controversial taxes if elected as president, including the E-Levy, Bet Tax, and Emissions Tax. This announcement marks a reversal from Bawumia’s previous stance on the E-Levy, which he had initially opposed before maintaining silence on the issue.
During his address to the nation, Dr. Bawumia reiterated his opposition to taxes on electronic financial transactions and emphasized the importance of promoting a cashless economy. He outlined plans to introduce a new tax regime aimed at benefiting individuals and businesses, particularly small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs).
In response to Sam George’s criticism, Dr. Bawumia has yet to issue a formal response. However, the exchange underscores the intensifying political discourse as Ghana approaches the 2024 elections. With both sides seeking to solidify their positions and sway public opinion, debates over policy promises and past performances are likely to remain central themes in the upcoming campaign season.