Bawumia’s Vision: 24/7 Prosperity for Ghana, Abolish E-Levy and others

In his national address at the UPSA auditorium on February 7, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Vice President of Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, unveiled his vision for the country.

Emphasizing his commitment to improving the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy, he highlighted the achievements of the government by noting a significant increase in SHS enrollment.

Reaching a record-high of around 500,000 students in 2023, with improved performance in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) since 2015. Dr. Bawumia pledged to continue and enhance the Free SHS initiative, emphasizing its importance for Ghana’s future.

Regarding his readiness to lead the nation, Dr. Bawumia expressed determination to make a positive impact from day one, rejecting the notion of a ‘honeymoon’ period to plan responsibilities if elected president.

He outlined measures already in place to bolster the economy, stressing his preparedness to work diligently for the benefit of Ghanaians. His vision focused on inclusive progress, leveraging the ingenuity of the Ghanaian people to build a society of opportunity and shared prosperity.

Following Dr. Bawumia’s address, discussions ensued nationwide, particularly regarding his remarks on the 24-hour economy policy, often associated with his political opponent, John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Although not explicitly directed at Mahama, Dr. Bawumia’s statements resonated with the NDC’s proposed policy, drawing attention to the government’s achievements in digitalization and financial inclusion:

Dr. Bawumia highlighted the impact of mobile money interoperability (MMI), enabling 24/7 money transfers and payments between mobile money and bank accounts, thereby enhancing financial inclusion.

He also made it clear to abolish e-levy should he become president. Emphasizing the ease of receiving remittances and conducting digital financial transactions round-the-clock, he attributed Ghana’s top ranking in access to financial inclusion to MMI.

Additionally, Dr. Bawumia unveiled his government’s intentions to revamp the tax system, including the elimination of emission tax, betting tax, and the proposed 15% VAT on electricity tariffs, with a target implementation by January 2025.

He also introduced plans for a simplified and business-friendly flat tax regime, geared towards supporting both citizens and businesses, with a particular focus on aiding small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs).

The Vice President underscored the role of digital payments in boosting e-commerce, citing Ghana’s ranking in Africa and the opportunities it creates for businesses, particularly through mobile money interoperability.

He discussed the digitization of essential services like passport acquisition, motor insurance, and scholarship applications, allowing individuals to access these services conveniently online at any time.

Dr. Bawumia highlighted advancements in healthcare, including digital health records and enrollment for national health insurance, enabling 24-hour access to essential services.