President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has commended Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia for his unwavering loyalty and commitment to the nation’s progress.
Speaking to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Takoradi on Sunday, President Akufo-Addo highlighted Dr Bawumia’s significant contributions to the government’s agenda and his steadfast dedication to improving the lives of Ghanaians.
He emphasised the Vice President’s role in driving key economic and social initiatives.
He praised Dr Bawumia’s efforts in areas such as digital transformation, financial inclusion, and infrastructure development, noting that these achievements have had a profound impact on the country’s growth.
The President also underscored the importance of having a dependable and hardworking team, expressing his confidence in Dr Bawumia’s ability to continue delivering results for the nation.
He urged Ghanaians to support the Vice President’s vision, assuring them that his leadership as Ghana’s next president if elected would lead to a more prosperous and resilient Ghana.
Bawumia outlines 9 incentives to boost businesses
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, vowed to create a more business-friendly environment if elected.
Presenting the party’s 2024 manifesto, Dr. Bawumia emphasised his commitment to supporting and expanding businesses, particularly in the private sector.
He outlined plans for a new tax regime under his administration, specifically designed to foster business growth and stimulate economic development.
a. Offering Investment Tax Credits (ITC) to incentivize Ghanaian start-ups in strategic sectors during their first three years of operation.
b. Introducing a Flat Rate for all importers to bring predictability and stability to the pricing of imported goods.
c. Harmonizing port charges to align with those of competing regional ports, particularly in Togo, ensuring that duties at Ghanaian ports are the same or lower.
d. 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.
e. 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.
f. Establishing an SME Bank to address the specific financing needs of small and medium enterprises, which employ over 80% of Ghanaians.
g. 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.
h. 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.
unapparelled luxury
i. Creating Special Economic Zones (Free Zones) in collaboration with the private sector at major border towns such as Aflao, Paga, Elubo, Sampa, and Tatale to enhance economic activity, increase exports, reduce smuggling, and create jobs.
I’ll have no more than 50 ministers – Bawumia promises
The flagbearer of the governing New Patriotic Party, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has pledged to limit his ministerial appointments to 50 if elected as Ghana’s next president.
Speaking at the NPP’s manifesto launch in Takoradi on Sunday, August 18, Dr. Bawumia emphasized that efficient governance does not require a large number of ministers.
“I will have no more than 50 ministers in my government,” Dr. Bawumia stated, highlighting his commitment to streamlining the government’s structure.
He also announced plans to shift from outright purchases to leasing essential goods, such as vehicles and printing equipment, to reduce maintenance costs and save the government significant amounts of money annually.
This approach, he explained, would not only reduce waste but also energize the private sector to invest in expansion and job creation.
“My government will move towards leasing rather than outright purchase of goods such as vehicles, printing equipment, and so on. The private sector will have the responsibility for maintaining the equipment. With this approach, the budget can save a very significant amount of outright cash expenditure annually from various items across the Ministries.”
Mahama avoiding debate because our track record surpasses his – Bawumia
The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has taken a swipe at the flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, for shying away from a presidential debate ahead of the 2024 general elections.
Speaking at the NPP’s manifesto launch in Takoradi on Sunday, August 18, Dr. Bawumia highlighted the NPP’s superior performance across various sectors, suggesting that this is why Mahama is hesitant to engage in a debate.
Dr. Bawumia noted that Mahama, as a former president and a student of history, is well aware of the NPP’s impressive achievements, which contributes to his reluctance to debate.
He further implied that Mahama lacks the courage and confidence to present his vision and plans alongside Dr. Bawumia’s, thereby offering Ghanaian voters a clear choice on December 7.
“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.”
NPP’s 2024 Manifesto [Full Text]
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, New Patriotic Party flagbearer on Sunday, August 18, in Takoradi, Western Region, presented the party’s 2024 Manifesto, ahead of the December polls.
In attendance at the launch were party supporters, executives, MPs, parliamentary candidates, and Ministers of State amongst others.
Read below the full speech by Dr Bawumia
NEW PATRIOTIC PARTY DEVELOPMENT IN FREEDOM -OUR COMMITMENTS TO YOU
Highlights of Manifesto for Election 2024 “Selfless Leadership, Bold Solutions for Jobs and Business.”
“[The Party’s] policy is to liberate the energies of the people for the growth of a property-owning democracy in this land, with right to life, freedom and justice, as the principles to which the Government and laws of the land should be dedicated in order specifically to enrich life, property and liberty of each and every citizen.” Dr. J. B. Danquah.
“Selfless Leadership, Bold Solutions for Jobs and Business.” My Vision for Ghana The dire economic challenges created by the recent global health emergency, and other geopolitical events, have hit people very hard all over the world, Ghanaians included. Our collective efforts and sacrifices are the reason we are already seeing a turnaround in the economy. Thank you.
I have been inspired by the fortitude, resilience, and ingenuity of Ghanaians in overcoming our challenges. It is what gives me confidence, that when the need arises, we can tap into the reassuring, calming guidance of our older generation; the ambitiousness of our young professionals; the entrepreneurial spirit and resilience of our hardworking adult population;
and above all, the energy, creativity, and innovativeness of our youth to, together, build a future of possibilities.
Everywhere I have been in our country, our hopes and aspirations are the same. We want a united Ghana that desires to do and achieve great things, and to do right by its people. Above all, we desire leaders who wake up every day thinking about making our lives better, not theirs.
I offered myself to be elected President because our hopes and aspirations are aligned, and I believe that together, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change the narrative of what Ghana can achieve. It is possible!
My life in public service has been one of selflessness; of putting the needs of Ghanaians first, irrespective of one’s religious beliefs, social status, gender, or level of education. I have never once asked, “what is in it for me?” Every initiative I have championed and led has been about creating
an environment that supports and brings out the best in our youth, creates opportunities for Persons with Disability, uplifts Ghanaian businesses and entrepreneurs, and that focuses on the greater good.
In service to you, our country and our people, I have demonstrated that it is possible to achieve a lot if we put our minds to, it and work very hard at it. I have demonstrated that we can bring diverse communities together, under one tent, as a nation, to live in peace and harmony with each other.
The times we live in call for leadership that places you first. For selfless leaders. For leaders with integrity. Leaders who will put everything on the line and go batting for you, for Ghanaians, every day, and night, no matter what it takes, or the arena in which it happens.
I believe I have demonstrated my selflessness and personal integrity for all to see. I commit to you, a values-based, selfless leadership as your President. I commit to demonstrating to you, especially the next generation, that it is possible to have visionary, selfless leadership of integrity in your
lifetime.
But that is not all. We are in the middle of a global revolution; the Fourth Industrial Revolution. It is reshaping and disrupting our world in so many ways. And rapidly too. Entire industries have, and continue to be, disrupted by the technologies powering this revolution, including blockchain
technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, cloud computing, robotics and engineering, quantum computing, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), IOT (Internet of things), advanced materials, digital manufacturing, and mobile internet, among others. Ghana cannot afford to be left behind.
Fortunately, we have an innovative, creative, and energised human resource base in our youth, with the capabilities to rise, under the right leadership, to the occasion. Leadership with bold solutions for this new future.
I have demonstrated my understanding of the issues, my commitment, and my willingness to lead Ghana, especially our youth, in taking advantage of the opportunities a digital, high-tech world provides.
My vision is to create a tent big enough to accommodate all our people, to tap into the resourcefulness and talents of our people irrespective of our different political and religious views, to channel our energies into building the kind of country that assures a safe, prosperous, and dignified future for all Ghanaians, and to create sustainable jobs with meaningful pay for all, and for Ghana to participate fully in the global digital revolution.
If you want a President you can trust to initiate and drive innovative and impactful ideas to transform Ghana; who has personal integrity, and can be trusted to fight corruption; a President you can trust to work hard, tirelessly and selflessly, for Ghana; who has a proven track record to create jobs for My Vision for Ghana the youth; a man with the vision and commitment to prepare Ghana for the Fourth Industrial Revolution; a man committed to protecting and using our
natural resources for the benefit of Ghanaians, I am your man for the job. Above all, if you want a President who would be more accountable to Ghanaians and will take a long-term view of developing Ghana because he will have to resubmit himself to you, Ghanaians, again, after this year’s election as a President, I am your man.
I have clarity in my mind on what to do from Day One when you elect me as your President. I am prepared and ready to work when you give me the opportunity. Together, we can succeed in building a progressive society of possibilities, enterprise, compassion, open opportunities and shared prosperity for every Ghanaian born rich or poor, born in the north or the south, born Christian, Muslim or of other faith, or born girl or boy. I have the courage to accept when things do not go as well as planned, but I also have a mindset of possibilities, and faith in ourselves, that we can rise and achieve great things in our lifetime. I am focused on practical, achievable, high-value objectives with destiny-changing payoffs for the next generation, and with your help, will execute well.
What I am offering you, and every Ghanaian of every creed or faith, age, gender, social status, or ability, is a values-based, Selfless Leadership with Bold Solutions for Jobs and Business.
I am excited about the prospects of the nation we are building, and the brilliant minds being nurtured. Join me, as I seek to provide a problem-solving leadership of integrity for the next generation.
I invite you to vote for me as your President and for NPP candidates as your Members of Parliament so that together, we can deliver on this bright future for all.
It is Possible!
Mahamudu Bawumia Presidential Candidate New Patriotic Party (NPP)
Matthew Opoku Prempeh Vice Presidential Candidate
Table of Contents
My Vision for Ghana ……………………………………………………………………….i
1. BACKGROUND ………………………………………………………………………01
What We Inherited ………………………………………………………………………………….. 02
Ghana Under the Akufo-Addo-led NPP Administration………………………………. 03
2. OUR COMMITMENTS TO YOU………………………………………………..17
1. SUSTAIN AND EXPAND GHANA’S REBOUNDING ECONOMY…………….. 18
2. CREATE NEW JOBS:……………………………………………………………………….. 18
3. IMPLEMENT WIDE-RANGING TAX REFORMS…………………………………… 21
4. BUILD GHANA INTO A WORLD-CLASS DIGITAL ECONOMY ……………… 22
5. REDUCE THE COST OF LIVING ……………………………………………………….. 23
6. EXPAND PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE ………………………………………………. 25
7. PROVIDE BETTER HEALTHCARE FOR ALL ………………………………………. 25
8. IMPLEMENT AFFIRMATIVE ACTION FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS………….. 26
9. EXPAND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL …………………………. 27
10. PROVIDE GOOD GOVERNANCE………………………………………………………. 28
11. CARE FOR THE ELDERLY ……………………………………………………………….. 29
12. PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT……………………………………………………….. 29
13. BOOST SPORTS, CREATIVE ARTS AND TOURISM……………………………. 30
14. PROTECTING OUR BORDERS, KEEPING SAFE NEIGHBOURHOODS … 31
3. TO LEAD IS TO SOLVE ……………………………………………………………33
New Patriotic Party (NPP) • Highlights of Manifesto for Election 2024
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1. BACKGROUND
NEW PATRIOTIC PARTY DEVELOPMENT IN FREEDOM
01
What We Inherited By the end of 2016, Ghana’s economy was in deep crisis. Growth had consistently fallen, year after year from 2011 (when oil production started), until it reached the lowest point of 3.4% at the end of 2016. The preceding four years were a period of macroeconomic instability, characterised by both internal and external imbalances. Between 2013 and 2016, the cedi depreciated by an average 17.7%, and the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) programme with the International Monetary Fund (“IMF”, “Fund”) had gone off the rails.
Other defining characteristics of the economy we inherited were:
• The government could not meet critical obligations, including Tier
2 pension funds for public sector workers dating back to 2010,
amounting to GH¢3.1 billion
• US$13 million in arrears owed to our peacekeeping personnel on UN and related duties have accumulated, with no plans to pay the security officers
• the country had been through five years of Dumsor (debilitating power cuts), which adversely affected growth in the industrial and services sectors of the economy. The loss in production due to Dumsor alone was estimated at about US$680 million annually. This disproportionately affected the livelihoods of small business owners, including seamstresses, barbers, salons, and welders, leading to crushed dreams and mass loss of income and jobs
• the Volta River Authority (VRA), Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCO), Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) were heavily indebted to banks, threatening their stability. The
then the government compounded the situation by procuring thirty-two hastily signed “Take or Pay” Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).
The nature of these agreements meant the government was obligated to pay for power it was not supplied with, nor used by consumers.
This imposed serious debts on the government and is responsible for the high level of energy tariffs consumers suffered
• financial services firms, including banks, microfinance institutions and asset management companies, were also in crisis. The resulting
02
1. BACKGROUND
liquidity challenges led to many financial institutions being unable to honour depositor withdrawals and investment redemptions, and
• the then government was racked by high levels of official corruption, including “create, loot and share” schemes using judgment debts against the state as vehicles. This was happening at a time when teachers posted to duty stations were not being paid, allowances for nurse and teacher trainees had been cancelled, and the government could not supply basic items such as chalk to schools.
Ghana Under the Akufo-Addo-led NPP Administration
Ghana’s economy under NPP has made positive strides, recent challenges notwithstanding.
The economy, from 2017 to 2019, was characterised by strong growth, low inflation, low budget deficits, a stable currency, and trade surpluses. Ghana’s growth trajectory rebounded to above 6% over the period, and the targeted real GDP growth rate for the following year, 2020, was expected to be about 7%.
We had renegotiated an extension of the derailed, NDC-contracted ECF programme when we came into office and successfully exited in 2019. Inflation dropped within the target band of 8 ± 2%, falling as low as 7.9% in 2019, the lowest in 28 years. The low inflation was already attracting calls for retargeting the rate, as some analysts then believed that Ghana would outperform the lower band of 6%. The average bank lending rate also declined, from 30.7% in 2016 to 26.2% in 2017, 24% in 2018 and further down to 23.6% in 2019. The cedi stabilised, depreciating annually by about 5% during the period.
There was a significant improvement in the fiscal deficit (cash basis), from about 8% of GDP in 2016 to under 5% of GDP in 2018 and 2019. Indeed, the overall fiscal deficit remained within the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) threshold of less than 5% of GDP.
These positive milestones were achieved despite the significant challenges inherited, two of which, the cost-burden of the Take-or-Pay Power Purchase Agreements and the costs incurred bailing out the financial services sector, both direct results of the mismanagement of the NDC government, were constant systemic risks.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the resulting supply chain disruptions led to rises in the price of oil, and therefore significant increases in the cost of fuel, freight and food across the globe. The Pandemic was “a crisis like no other.” At its beginning, the Managing Director of the IMF warned:
“Pandemics don’t respect borders, neither do the economic shocks they cause. The outlook is dire, [and] we expect global economic activity to decline on a scale we have not seen since the Great Depression.” The size and scale of the shock have been borne out by its still lingering effects on many economies, including Ghana’s.
We managed the pandemic competently, to global acclaim. Ghana was among the first in the world to introduce rapid testing at airports and to introduce sample pooling in testing Covid samples. Thousands of health professionals were recruited and incentivised, to help with the ‘test, trace and treat’ strategy to contain the virus. We evacuated Ghanaians stranded in foreign countries, increased the number of test laboratories, supplied Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to hospitals and other health facilities, created and managed isolation centres across the country, and treated and cared for all infected persons.
The Government also provided support to families and households, with free or subsidised electricity, as well as free water. It also provided soft loans to SMEs. We were the first country to receive a COVAX vaccine shipment in early March 2021 and administered up to 29 million vaccine doses. Finally, the Government managed the safe return of students and school children to school and ensured that no student (especially those in
their final years) lost an academic year.
However, just as the economy had begun to recover, another global crisis was to hit, when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, followed by geopolitical tensions.
Despite these headwinds, in keeping with the now-famous words of President Akufo-Addo that “we know how to bring the economy back to life,” we have managed to steer the economy unto a reasonable growth path.
Real GDP growth rate (non-oil) grew by 4.9% between 2021 and 2023, whereas it was 3.2% on average between 2013 and 2016. With proceeds from oil production, the average growth rate between 2013 and 2016 was 2.9%. This compares to 3.9% between 2021 and 2023.
1. BACKGROUND
This shows that the post-COVID-19 GDP growth (oil inclusive) is higher under our management of the economy, compared to the period 2013-2016 under the NDC government.
The data further shows that between 2017-2022 (COVID-19 period inclusive), the industry sector growth of 5% outperformed the 3.3% recorded under the NDC government (2013-2016).
For 2017-2022, the agriculture sector grew at 5.9%, underpinned by the “Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ)” and “Rearing for Food and Jobs” initiatives, compared to 2.8% in the 2013-2016 period.
The data clearly shows the economy has done well under NPP and is firmly
on a path of recovery:
• the economy has grown by over US$20 billion since 2016, from US$56 billion to US$76 billion by the end of December 2023, compared to about US$8.8 billion between 2013 to 2016
• GDP per capita has increased significantly from US$1,978 in 2016 to US$2,436 in 2023
• GDP grew by 2.9% in 2023 (compared to the original projection of 1.5%, and the revised projection of 2.3%), and further, to 4.7% in Quarter 1 of 2024 (4.2% Non-Oil), the highest since Q1 of 2022, an indicator that the economy is on the path to recovery. Industry grew the most at 6.8%, followed by Agriculture at 4.1% and Services at 3.3%. The 2024 Q1 GDP growth rate for industry is the highest since Q4 of 2020
• Inflation declined from 54.1% at the end of 2022 to 23.2% at the end of December 2023. This trend has continued, declining to 22.8% in June and further to 20.9% in July 2024. It is expected to
decline considerably to 15% by the end of 2024, continuing over the medium-term horizon to return to the target band of 8 ± 2% by 2025
• Exchange rates have largely stabilised, with the depreciation of the Cedi against the US Dollar improving from 54.2% at the end of November 2022 to 27.8% at the end of Dec 2023. The Cedi’s
stability has continued into 2024, with a cumulative depreciation of 18.6% as of June 2024, compared to 22% recorded in the same period in 2023
New Patriotic Party (NPP) • Highlights of Manifesto for Election 2024
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• Gross International Reserves (GIR) stands at US$6.9 billion as of June 2024, covering 3.1 months of import cover. In the medium term, GIR is expected to improve to at least 4.4 months of import
cover
• Ghana has finally reached an agreement with Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to restructure legacy arrears and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), after six (6) years of negotiations. This will
provide some fiscal relief and savings over the life of the PPAs, as well as guarantee a more reliable supply of power
• Following the completion of domestic debt structuring of about GH₵203.4 billion in 2023, Ghana reached an agreement with the Official Creditor Committee (OCC) under the G20 Common Framework on 11th June 2024 to restructure our official bilateral loans totalling US$5.1 billion, with an estimated debt service relief of US$2.8 billion between 2023- 2026
• Ghana also reached an agreement with our Eurobond holders on 19th June 2024, to restructure Eurobonds amounting to $13.1 billion, with a debt cancellation of roughly US$4.7 billion and debt service savings from 2023 to 2026 of about US$4.4 billion, and
• Public Debt is showing signs of improvement. The debt-to-GDP ratio reduced to 71.4% at the end of 2023 from 73.5% at the end of 2022. We are making progress toward achieving the medium-term target of a debt-to-GDP ratio of 55%.
We conclude by reminding ourselves that despite the economic decline, distressed banking sector, and unconscionable power sector contracts we inherited at the beginning of 2017, and the subsequent turbulence of the global economy, we have, under the Akufo-Addo-led administration, delivered programmes and results that have positively affected the lives, communities,
livelihoods and businesses of Ghanaians. Among many others, we:
1. created over 2.3 million jobs since 2017. World Development Index data shows the unemployment rate in Ghana averaged 3% between 2017 and 2019, compared to 5% in 2016, while youth unemployment averaged 6% over the same period, down from 10% in 2016
2. kept public sector workers employed and fully paid even during the COVID-19 Pandemic
1. BACKGROUND
3. initiated, or oversaw the construction and rehabilitation of more railways than any other government since 1992 (Achimota-Nsawam, Accra-Tema, Kojokrom-Tarkwa, Kojokrom–Manso, Tema-Mpakadan).
-Extended more rural telephony network than any other government since 1992 (increasing from 78 sites to 1008 sites)
-Constructed more public libraries than any other government since 1992. We have increased the total number of public libraries from 61 in 2017 to 115 by 2023
– Constructed more fish landing sites than any other government since 1992, including Axim, Dixcove, Moree, Mumford, Winneba, Senya Breku, Gomoa Fetteh, Teshie, Osu, Ekumfi, and Mfantseman
-Constructed two major fishing harbours in Elmina and James Town
-Constructed more sanitation facilities (817) than any other government since 1992. As a result, we have increased the proportion of the population with access to toilet facilities from 33% in 2016 to
80.8% in 2023.
Also, 5,400 communities have been declared open defecation-free since 2017. This has resulted in a virtual elimination of cholera in Ghana
-Constructed more sports facilities than any other government since 1992.
-We have completed six new multi-purpose sports stadiums, and four ongoing in each of the ten “old” regions, completed the University of Ghana Stadium in Legon, built multi-sports facilities at Borteyman for the African Games, as well as increased public AstroTurfs in Ghana from 3 in 2016 to 150, with many more at various stages of development.
-Significantly improved the operational capabilities of the Ghana Police Service by providing 933 vehicles, 4,202 motorbikes, and 3 helicopters, improving their mobility and presence across the country.
-Abolishing the 3-month arrears policy for teachers and clearing all accumulated arrears between 2011 and 2022.
-Constructed more courts and accommodations for the judiciary than any other government since 1992, including 120 courts (80 completed) and 150 bungalows for the judiciary.
-Kept the lights on for eight years after five years of Dumsor.
-Restored Teacher and Nurse Trainee allowances that were cancelled increased Scholarship beneficiaries by 70%.
Extended NHIS coverage to childhood cancers, Hydroxyurea for sickle cell patients, and Dialysis treatment.
-Saved the deposits of 4.6 million bank depositors by saving the near collapsed banking system
-We inherited tripled the capitation grant per child from GH¢5 in 2016 to GH¢15 in 2024
-Settled the US$13 million arrears owed to peacekeeping personnel, and increased their allowances from US$30 to US$35 per soldier per day had the lowest increase in electricity tariffs in recent history.
Between 2009 and 2016, the average annual increase in end-user electricity tariffs was 50% per year. Between 2017 and 2023 on the other hand, the average annual increase was 11.1%. This is the lowest annual average increase in electricity tariffs for any government since 1992
-Abolished or reduced 21 separate taxes in our first term (before the global crisis) reduced import duties by 50% between 2019 and 2021 and introduced the National Rental Assistance Scheme (NRAS) to assist people with rent advances. So far 1,393 people have benefited from the scheme
-Increased the share of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) to Persons With Disability (PWDs) by 50%
-Reduced infant mortality per 1000 live births from 37.9 in 2016 to in 2021
-Increased expenditure on the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme from GH₵49 million in 2016 to GH₵423 million by 2023
-Increased expenditure on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) from GH₵ 1.1 billion in 2016 to GH₵ 6.8 billion in 2024 have, through digitisation,
-Increased NHIS active membership from million in 2018 to over 17 million people in 2023
-Introduced the largest medical drone service in the world, to efficiently deliver medical supplies and improve healthcare access in remote areas. 2,694 health facilities have been onboarded on the Zipline Drone Services as of August 2023 implemented Free SHS/TVET with an increase in enrolment from 813,448 in 2016/17 to 1.48 million in 2023/24, an increase of 83% over the period.
2023 recorded the highest-ever first-year enrolment in Free SHS/TVET of around 554,034 students, highlighted by a remarkable 95% enrolment rate in the Northern Regions.
The student’s performance at WASSCE is also the best in the history of the examination, and have also achieved gender parity fed over 4 million beneficiaries under the Ghana School Feeding
Programme (GSFP) in 2024, compared to 1.6 million in 2016 has absorbed examination fees for all students for BECE and WASSCE examinations
-Doubled the number of student loan recipients, from 30,000 on average per year before its introduction to 58,000 currently, by removing the guarantor policy under the Student Loan Trust Fund (SLTF)
-Registered over 18 million people for the GhanaCard and merged separate public databases (tax identification, social security, driver licenses, public payroll, criminal records, SIM Cards etc) to ensure easy access to government services
-Rolled out the National Digital Property Addressing System with 8 million address plates affixed to homes introduced Mobile Money Interoperability (MMI) which has led to Ghana achieving 100% financial inclusion procured 900,000 tablets for distribution to all secondary school
students, and distributed 2,718 vehicles of all types to various agencies under the Ministry of Education, helping to improve access and reducing inequalities in education
-Added 134.1 MW of renewable energy to our energy mix, from a low of 37.7 in 2016 to 171.8 MW
39.
-Improved monthly ECG collection through the digitisation drive. The introduction of its mobile app, PowerApp, has increased monthly collection to over GH₵1 billion, from an average of GH₵450 million monthly
-distributed 20,000 LPG cookstoves under the LPG for Development Programme 430,000 stoves have been distributed to promote clean cooking with charcoal, and to reduce the harmful effects of smoke
-renovated existing stadia across the country including the Accra Sports Stadium, Baba Yara Stadium, and Cape Coast Stadium
-Instituted the “Year of Return” and “Beyond the Return,” which have attracted waves of visitors and investors to Ghana, spotlighted our cultural vibrancy and historical significance to the world, and created further momentum for the emergence of initiatives such as ‘December in GH’
-Restored the iconic Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park under the Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Project (IPEP), and re-aligned priority spending to ensure that each of the 275 constituencies was directly given resources to undertake infrastructure projects. 1,609 projects have been completed under IPEP, to promote inner-city development across the country, including small dams to support all-year farming, rural markets, and community-based mechanised
water systems
– Made significant investments in healthcare infrastructure by building new hospitals, clinics, and facilities, embarking on the massive Agenda 111 project, as well as completing abandoned and other inherited projects as follows (see Chapter 10.1.2.2 of the Main Manifesto for details):
– completed 6 of the 9 stalled and abandoned “Euroget” health sector projects
– started and completed new, 47 non-Agenda 111 hospitals, clinics and healthcare projects, including 21 Clinics through IPEP – started 17 non-Agenda 111 hospitals, clinics and healthcare
projects currently at various stages of completion, including Clinics through IPEP
– started 21 new Treatment and Holding Centres, 13 of which have been completed
– started the Agenda 111 hospitals and healthcare projects made up of 104 (originally 101) District Hospitals, 7 Regional Hospitals, 2 Regional Psychiatric Hospitals, and 1 National Psychiatric
Hospital (Accra Psychiatric Hospital)
– Completed 17 other inherited hospital projects, and
– Completed 428 CHPs compounds and 230 Health Centres
– Procured 307 Ambulances for distribution to each Constituency, and all Regional and Teaching Hospitals, to enhance healthcare delivery
-Improved food security through the “Planting for Food and Jobs,” “Rearing for Food and Jobs,” “One Village, One Dam,” and “One District, One Warehouse” initiatives accelerated the diversification of the economy through the “One District, One Factory” and “Strategic Anchor” initiatives. Over GH¢500 million invested so far substantially augmented the personnel strength across all Security and Intelligence Agencies (SIAs), including:
– increasing the number of the Ghana Police Service by almost
40% (from 33,213 in 2016 to 46,116) in 2023
– more than doubling the number of personnel in the Fire Service from 7,000 in 2016 to 15,000 by 2023
– more than doubling Ghana Prisons Service personnel from 5,431 in 2016 to 11,472 in 2023
– more than tripling the Ghana Immigration Service workforce from 4,270 in 2016 to 13,646 in 2023, and
– significantly increasing the staffing levels of the Narcotics Control Commission (from 553 to 927), National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (from 13 to 75), Ghana Refugee Board
(from 32 to 52), National Peace Council (from 17 to 67), Gaming Commission (from 47 to 70), and National Disaster Management Organisation (from 6,101 to 6,185)
– Made significant investments in the infrastructure of various Security and Intelligence Agencies (SIAs), including Phases I and II of the Barracks Regeneration Project, the Transformation Agenda of the Ghana Police Service, and the Military Housing Project for the Ghana Armed Forces. Since 2017, 1,000 housing units have been constructed to support the accommodation needs of security
services personnel. Two additional Data Centres and Emergency Command Centre (ECC) facilities in Kumasi and Tamale have been established, and, the completion of Alpha Phase I by the National
Signals Bureau marked a significant milestone under which over 11,000 cameras and 65 automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) sites have been deployed to enhance surveillance and response
capabilities through the Zongo Development Fund, constructed more infrastructure and implemented more development policies in the Zongo communities than any other government since 1992. Over 200 infrastructure projects have been completed through the Fund
– Attained a Balance of Trade surplus for the first time in over 22 years
– Established the Nation Builders Corps (NABCO) and recruited more than 100,000 graduates for four years. 34,000 of the trainees obtained permanent employment
-Paid the outstanding pension fund contributions of public sector workers we inherited
-Established Seventy-Five (75) Greenhouses at Dawhenya to enhance vegetable production
-Established the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) with over 15,000 small businesses funded, and 250,000 young entrepreneurs given entrepreneurial training
-Passed the Right to Information Act passed the Affirmative Action Act constructed 80,000-metric-ton warehouses under the “One District, One Warehouse” Initiative
-Constructed about 400 out of the 560 small earth dams in the 5 Northern regions in fulfilment of the “One Village, One Dam” promise
-Increased the road network from 78,000km to nearly 100,000km, including 2,000km of asphaltic overlay and rehabilitation and maintenance of over 12,000km of roads. These network improvements included the construction of 12 multi-tier interchanges in Accra, Tema, Kumasi, Tamale and Takoradi, 6 of which have been completed with another 6 under construction
-Completed and commissioned Phase II and III of the Prempeh I International Airport (Kumasi) project, involving the construction of a new terminal building capable of handling one million passengers yearly, car park, apron, and access roads; Phase 1 of the Sunyani Airport rehabilitation; and upgraded and commissioned the Yakubu Tali International Airport (Tamale)
– Implemented a paperless system at the ports
-Digitised the operations of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA)
-Implemented a motor insurance database that allows anyone to check the insurance status of any vehicle on a mobile phone
-Streamlined the processes for arrival and departure at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) to make it one of the quickest airports for processing arriving passengers in the world
-Networked and digitised the records of all Teaching, Regional and District hospitals in Ghana. Referrals of patients from one jurisdiction to another no longer require that the patient’s folder be physically transported
– Implemented an E-Pharmacy platform with all pharmacies in Ghana onboarded, the first in Africa and one of a few in the world
– Implemented a one-stop portal (Ghana.Gov) for all MMDAs. 1,507 MMDAs out of 1,517 (99%) have so far been onboarded on the platform
-Addressed various internal security challenges, including land and chieftaincy disputes, of note being the resolution of the long-standing
Dagbon crisis
-implemented far-reaching policies, passed legislation, and allocated resources to fight corruption, including:
– enacting the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989)
– enacting the Witness Protection Act, 2018 (Act 975)
– enacting the Criminal Offences (Amendment) Act, 2020 (Act
1034)
– enacting the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2020 (Act 1044)
– rolling out the Ghana.Gov Platform
– increasing budgetary allocations to the Police (162%), the Audit
Service (83%) and CHRAJ (21%) at the end of 2021, compared
to 2016
– set up an Office of Special Prosecutor by enacting the Office of
Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959), and
– instituting a Value-For-Money assessment regime for single-sourced and restricted tender applications, which has resulted in GH¢2.3 billion in savings between 2019 and 2021
By making basic education accessible to millions of young Ghanaians, creating millions of jobs, investing in massive infrastructure across all sectors, issuing biometric identity cards to over 18 million Ghanaians and residents and integrating public databases to underpin Ghana’s digital economy, ensuring 100% financial inclusion through the introduction of Mobile Money Interoperability (MMI), and the efficient delivery of government services through digitisation, it is clear that the NPP administration has built a solid foundation upon which to leapfrog into the Fourth Industrial Revolution, to create jobs and opportunities for the next generation.
We are proud of what we have achieved together, with the support of the
people of Ghana.
It is time, once again, to ask for the mandate of Ghanaians. This Manifesto lays out our comprehensive plan to take Ghana to the next level of growth and prosperity, under a problem-solving, selfless leader with integrity, with bold solutions for jobs and business, our Flagbearer, and current Vice President of the Republic, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. To see the full dashboard on how we have transformed all sectors over the last eight years, visit the official Performance Tracker website at https://performancetracker.gov.gh/.
Our number one priority is to stimulate businesses and create jobs, with a strong focus on the private sector.
Our commitment to you is to invest in the growth of Ghanaian businesses, create millions of secure jobs for the youth, ensure individual and collective prosperity, and safe communities, and offer you a problem-solving leadership of integrity.
To deliver on these commitments, we pledge to:
1. SUSTAIN AND EXPAND GHANA’S REBOUNDING ECONOMY
– further accelerate the growth and expansion of the economy
over the next four years. We increased the size of the economy by
US$20 billion since 2016, from US$56 billion to US$76 billion by end
of December 2023
– achieve, and sustain an average of 6% growth by expanding Agriculture, Mining (including establishing Minerals Development Bank), 1D1F, Emerging Industries, Digital Hub & Services, Sports, Tourism, and Creative Arts
– increase Public-Private-Partnerships (PPPs) as an important
funding model for delivering public infrastructure projects
– establish an independent Fiscal Responsibility Council to oversee
Fiscal Policy, and
– amend the Fiscal Responsibility Act to add a new fiscal rule that
requires that expenditure in any year does not exceed 105% of the
previous year’s tax revenue
2. CREATE NEW JOBS:
Under the Akufo-Addo-led administration, notwithstanding the unexpected global economic crisis, we have created over 2.3 million jobs in the past 8 years. This is more jobs created than any other
government has managed to do in 8 years. But we need to create more jobs than we have done and that is why we commit to:
– train 1,000,000 youth in digital skills
– create jobs through private-sector construction and infrastructure development, industrialisation, and Agribusiness
– create jobs through the Tax Amnesty Programme
– create jobs for artisans (carpenters, masons, welders etc) and built environment professionals, to maintain public infrastructure, through a revived and resourced PWD
– create SME jobs with the introduction of The SME Bank
– create jobs through the minerals industry, and its value chain (aluminium, gold, lithium, manganese, salt etc)
– employ more security services personnel
– create jobs through the National Cybersecurity Workforce
Development Programme
– recruit more special needs teachers
– set quotas for recruitment of PWDs for public sector recruitment
– employ more lawyers for legal aid (at least 2 for each District)
– create other jobs through Tourism, Creative Arts and Sports; “Jobs
Abroad” Programme; “Youth in Seafaring” Programme; Aviation &
Logistics; Green Energy Industries, including EVs, and
– support businesses to drive and accelerate job creation by:
a. cutting 3% of GDP from government expenditure (~GH₵30
billion), and redirecting it towards private sector provision of
public infrastructure and services
b. using our tried and tested gold purchase programme to stabilise the currency, give businesses and industries predictability in planning, and ensure stability in input prices
c. introduce a flat rate tax system in Ghana, like Estonia. This will simplify the tax administration by giving taxpayers visibility into their tax obligations and therefore easier to file and pay their
taxes
d. complement the Flat Tax regime by using a Tax Amnesty Programme to enable industries to finance their expansion, recruit more employees, and energise economic activity
e. implementing a significant shift in electricity tariffs structure to a regime in which commercial rates are either equal to, or lower than residential rates, never higher, to power industries
and businesses
f. establishing an SME Bank to meet the special financing needs of small and medium businesses, which employ over 80% of Ghanaians
g. establishing a Fintech Fund with a seed capital of US$100 Million (~GH₵1.6 billion) to attract additional private sector funding to support Ghanaian start-ups developing payments and financial services solutions
h. reforming the licensing regime for the small-scale mining sector and establishing a Minerals Development Bank to
finance viable local mineral projects, small-scale miners, as well as Ghanaian mining and mining services firms
i. Using the Credit Scoring System to enable the average Ghanaian to access basic needs through cheaper credit: “Buy now, pay small, small”. This will increase domestic demand,
increase production and create jobs
j. using the Tax Amnesty Programme for Individuals to increase disposable income to stimulate and boost demand for goods and services, for businesses to produce more, expand
and employ more
k. using the Government’s purchasing power to stimulate industrial expansion and business growth, which will help create jobs, by rolling out a “Buy Ghana First” policy under which all goods
and services procured by the public sector will first be filled by goods and services produced locally, and
l. completing the digitalisation of land titling and registration to enable owners of landed properties to use their properties as collateral to raise capital for business growth and expansion
IMPLEMENT WIDE-RANGING TAX REFORMS
– offer a one-time tax amnesty to all Ghanaians and corporate
entities through:
a. tax amnesty from the payment of taxes from the previous
years
b. the waiving of interest and penalties for failures to file taxes in previous years
This will enable everyone to start their tax journey afresh. It will “wipe the slate clean” for all taxpayers in Ghana
– reform the Value Added Tax regime by merging all levies into a single line-item levy, and treat the merged levy as part of input and output VAT, to eliminate the cascading effect in the current regime
– Reduce withholding Tax (WHT) for small-scale gold exports to 1% to discourage smuggling
– abolish the Betting Tax
– incentivise Ghanaian start-ups in selected, strategic sectors with Investment Tax Credits (ITC) for the first three (3) years of their operations
– digitise all aspects of tax administration to reduce leakages, improve efficiency and ease of filing
– implement a Flat Rate for all importers, bringing predictability and stability to the prices of imported goods
– harmonise port charges to align with changes in competing regional ports, particularly Togo. Duties at our ports will be the same or lower, and
– broaden the tax base by leveraging digitalisation to capture more eligible taxpayers to reduce the pressure on the few
4. BUILD GHANA INTO A WORLD-CLASS DIGITAL ECONOMY
We will accelerate Ghana’s growth into a world-class digital economy and make Ghana the digital hub of Africa. We will do this through policies, competitive incentives and investments. We will invest in developing local talent and tech start-ups, including:
– training 1,000,000 young people in all areas and levels of digital
skills
– working with educational institutions and leading Ghanaian and global tech firms to establish a National Robotics, Engineering, and AI Lab for research and training of young Ghanaians locally
– providing venture funding and grant support for commercially viable tech projects by Ghanaian start-ups to drive innovation, foster high-tech entrepreneurship, create jobs, and support growth
of Ghanaian high-tech businesses
– providing “live lab” opportunities to Ghanaian tech start-ups under a Matchmaking Programme, by purposely connecting them to matured/large tech firms working on government tech projects,
to help start-ups test their ideas in real-world environments, and to accelerate their product development cycle
– working with the Bank of Ghana to significantly expand our
Regulatory Sandbox to admit more Ghanaian as well as regional Fintechs. This will position Ghana as a Multi-Regulatory/Multi-Jurisdictional Sandbox for financial and payments interoperability
– establishing a Fintech Fund with a seed capital of US$100 Million
to attract additional private sector funding to support Ghanaian start-ups developing payments and financial services solutions, especially focused on Region-wide, exportable solutions
– continue leading in the African Union policy campaign to achieve cross-border mobile money interoperability to enhance significantly the buying and selling of goods and services across
Africa. This will instantly expose Ghanaian enterprises and young entrepreneurs to a market of 1.4 billion people
– implementing a Digital Residency (e-Residency) for businesses
and individuals in tech firms, to register and operate from within
Ghana
– implementing a 5-Year Digital Nomad Visa and Work Permit to attract global tech talents to domicile and work in Ghana
– appointing a Digital Ambassador whose role will be to develop
new external markets for Ghanaian digital talent and products, and
facilitate the export of the same
– increasing internet penetration to over 90% as pertains in advanced economies. Internet Penetration has been increased from 32% in 2016 to 70% in 2024
– implementing comprehensive data interoperability across government platforms to enhance transparency and streamline services
– creating a marketplace to streamline public sector procurement
– abolishing E-Levy
– ensuring holders of GhanaCard are not required to fill out separate forms to apply for passports
– working with industry players to make more spectrum available
to operators at affordable prices including 5G, and
– eliminating import duties on mobile phones until manufacturing
capacity is established in Ghana
5. REDUCE THE COST OF LIVING
– we will ensure food security by stabilising the prices of foods produced locally, through financing and guarantees from the Development Bank Ghana (DBG) and the Ghana Incentive-Based
Risk-Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (GIRSAL). This will mainly involve:
a. upscaling the production of staple foods, and
b. investing in the preservation of staple foods, meat, poultry and
fish products
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– reduce the cost of public transportation by:
a. promoting and supporting Electric Vehicles (EV) for public transportation
b. expanding the Gold-For-Oil Programme (G4O) to continue stabilising the price of fuel
c. stabilising the prices of spare parts through the “Flat Rate for all importers” policy which will bring predictability and stability to prices of imported goods, and
d. making driver’s licenses valid for 10 years, renewable every 5 years
– ensure a variety of accommodation types to meet different pockets and needs as follows:
a. Social Housing: including homeless shelters (overnight stay for the vulnerable) and an expanded Rental Assistance Scheme for low-income workers
b. Affordable Housing: including District Housing projects through incentives to the private real estate industry, as well as expanded services of State Housing Company (SHC), TDC, and National
Homeownership Fund (NHF), and
c. Improving Housing Finance: through an expansion of the
mortgage market, as well as rent-to-own schemes
We will use a variety of ways to deliver access to the various types of accommodation. For example, for Social Housing, we will provide public lands within our main cities to private developers, and make it mandatory for them to “set aside” between 20% to 30% for low-income social housing units with subsidised rents
– significantly improving the availability and affordability of power by bringing on stream 2,000 MW of solar power, and incentivising users by buying excess power they generate from solar systems and paying with “free electricity” from the national grid when they need
power (through net metering), and
– continue to make accessing services easier. Once you have a GhanaCard, all public and private organisations will not be required to collect your basic data
6. EXPAND PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE
– partner with the private sector to finance, build, and rent or lease-to-own to government, public infrastructure, including schools, housing, water, and roads, as well as equipment
– revive and resource, including modern equipment and state-of-the-art workshops, the Public Works Department (PWD), to
be the primary government agency responsible for the maintenance of public infrastructure across the country
– fully implement and expand the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP), under which local governments have been supplied with equipment, to help maintain roads in their Districts
– through partnerships with private sector investors, develop the railway network across the country based on the Master Plan,
with a strategic focus on the Western and Eastern Lines in the medium term. The two lines, which are of high economic importance, will be prioritised for development and completion
– facilitate the establishment, by the private sector, of a
Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility at the Tamale Airport, to develop it into an aviation cargo, horticultural cargo, and logistics hub
– commence the development of the Cape Coast Airport, for which funding has been secured under the Korean $2 billion facility
– in collaboration with the private sector, build an airport in the Upper East Region, and
– achieve universal access to electricity
7. PROVIDE BETTER HEALTHCARE FOR ALL
– complete all Agenda 111 hospitals. This ensures every District gets a District Hospital
– recruit more doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, with improved conditions of service
– bring healthcare services to your doorstep by:
a. completing the digitisation of public healthcare institutions
under the E-health project
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b. scaling up telehealth services
c. establishing two additional sites, in addition to the existing
6, at Funsi and Kintampo, to enhance drone delivery services and to ensure total nationwide coverage, and
d. ensuring the interoperability of the National Electronic Pharmacy Platform (NEPP) with public and private healthcare facilities
– offer incentives for healthcare workers to buy one vehicle each
with engine capacity of up to 1,800cc, and
– ensure compliance with the existing deprived area incentive package for health workers
8. IMPLEMENT AFFIRMATIVE ACTION FOR
WOMEN AND GIRLS
– implement in full the Affirmative Action Act we recently enacted
– establish a Women’s Trade Empowerment Fund (WoTEF) to support women-owned businesses
– ensure gender parity in the award of government scholarships
– further improve the maternal health care programme
– pursue a “Women in Diplomacy” programme for Ghanaian women
to take more leadership roles in international organisations, and
– promote and protect women’s rights in the workplace by:
a. ensuring that existing sexual harassment laws are strictly
enforced
b. enabling mothers to seamlessly re-enter the workforce
by prioritising, in partnership with the private sector, the
establishment of daycare centres near workplaces, including
marketplaces, and
c. enforcing existing regulations on maternity leave governance
9. EXPAND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL
– increase the stock of student accommodation in our public universities and other public tertiary institutions to address the housing deficit on campuses, and make them affordable
– introduce a Free Tertiary Education Scholarship for PWDs, to
remove financial barriers to pursuing educational goals
– on scholarships:
a. integrate scholarship databases across all the public sector institutions managing such schemes, to ensure full visibility
b. expand eligibility for the Student Loan Scheme to include
all post-secondary students, including certificate and diploma
programmes, and
c. prioritise and direct a significant proportion of national
scholarship schemes towards training and skills development in
STEM
– implement in full the Centralised Applications Processing
Service (CAPS) for tertiary institutions: “You apply once, and pay
once”
– establish an Open University
– those who, after completion of their tertiary education, have secured
jobs would be exempted from national service
– protect and enhance the free SHS/TVET, which is truly
transforming lives and changing life outcomes for millions:
a. since we started free SHS/TVET, enrolment has increased
by 83%. We are building the foundation for a well-educated,
prosperous society
b. with free SHS/TVET, we have achieved gender parity. More girls are getting secondary education, and the impact will be positive for society
c. we will recruit more teachers at all levels, with improved
conditions of service
d. we will continue to develop additional infrastructure for our educational institutions to meet the increased numbers, and
e. offer incentives for teachers to buy one vehicle each with an engine capacity of up to 1,800 cubic centimetres (cc)
10. PROVIDE GOOD GOVERNANCE
– cap the number of ministers at 50
– reinitiate the process of getting MMDCEs elected through universal adult suffrage, to deepen decentralisation and effective
local governance
– delink the creation of Districts from Constituencies to end the automatic increases in the size of Parliament
– institute an Electoral Area Share of the Common Fund (EASCF) for Assembly Members to facilitate development at the Electoral Area level
– engage Parliament and other stakeholders, including Political parties, to review the 1992 constitution to achieve effective national development
– provide values-based leadership, predicated on values such as selflessness, excellence, ethics, justice, integrity, transparency, diligence, and accountability
– in pursuit of Values-Based Leadership and responsible
Citizenship, formalises the relationship between the State, Chiefs, FBOs, and CSOs, and redefines and elevates their place and role in the national governance structure
– review Section 63 of the Chieftaincy Act to empower Chiefs to
strengthen local governance
– pay living allowances to Paramount Chiefs, Divisional Chiefs, and
Queen mothers
– to encourage the registration of lands, all stool lands will be
registered without initial fee payment. Payment will only be due
when the land is sold, and
– protect Ghanaian cultural and family values
11. CARE FOR THE ELDERLY
– pass an Ageing Act for the care and protection of the elderly
– promote geriatric care training programmes to address the
growing need for elder care
– implement policies on the establishment of homecare, nursing
homes and rehabilitation services, including assisted living and oldage community living, and
– create elder-specific social assistance schemes to cover those
not presently covered under existing programmes such as LEAP
12. PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT
– enhance the protection of our forests and biodiversity hotspots
– restore our forests through reforestation programmes by:
a. targeting 30,000ha of degraded areas for reforestation and
plantation development annually
b. establishing 1,000ha of bamboo and rattan plantations annually
for watershed protection and plantation development, and
c. Provide tree seedlings and plantain suckers in a minimum of
1000 communities to enhance national reforestation and plantation development programme
– usher in a Golden Age for Ghanaian-owned small-scale Mining for Wealth and Jobs, and promote responsible and sustainable small-scale mining, including addressing illegal small-scale mining by:
a. making available proven reserves data to small-scale miners to help deal with the associated problem of trial-and-error digging for gold
b. simplifying the small-scale mining licensing regime
c. scaling-up the use of the mercury-free gold Catcher machine
technology, which is less damaging to our environment, and
d. ensuring strict adherence to our mining laws and regulations to
prevent illegal and improper mining practices, and
– protect and preserve our water resources by:
e. vigorously protecting both surface and underground sources by
enforcing the provisions of the Water Use Regulations
f. reviewing and strengthening the Water Buffer Zone Policy for
implementation
g. protecting transborder water sources, notably the Volta River,
and
h. effectively managing all major water Basins in Ghana
13. BOOST SPORTS, CREATIVE ARTS AND TOURISM
– use tax incentives, including a flat tax, to incentivise private sector investments in sports, tourism, and creative arts facilities
– implement an e-visa policy for all international visitors to Ghana,
to make visa acquisition fast and convenient for visitors
– roll out a visa-free policy for all nationals of African and Caribbean
countries visiting Ghana
– establish, in partnership with the private sector, a streaming and
digital management platform for Ghanaian content developers
in the creative arts
– establish a Travel Protocol Service (TPS) for the creatives community, to enable artists, performers, and other creatives, to honour international performances and shows
– establish a Sports Development Fund to develop sports infrastructure, talent, and grassroots sports programmes, including the revival of Colts football and leagues across the country
– upgrade the surfaces of our football pitches to meet the highest international Standards (Kumasi, Accra, Cape Coast, Legon, Tamale& Essipong)
– continue the construction of AstroTurfs for every constituency to boost the development of our talents including juvenile football.
We have increased from 3 AstroTurfs in 2016 to 150 in 2024
– start an “Operation Olympics Glory” programme by dedicating resources towards the preparation and readiness of athletes for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, USA, including, where necessary, targeting specific sports for medals
– support the revival of the Premier League, and Clubs, to improve
commercial viability, and to create related jobs by:
a. directing policy through the National Lotteries Authority and the Gaming Commission to establish and fund a Sports Employment Module to assist Premier League clubs fund
operational expenses, including player remuneration, and
b. provide a bus each to Premier League Clubs
– build six (6) 5,000-seater capacity, standard stadiums for the new
regions, and
– promote school sports by establishing a Ghana School Sports Secretariat to create more opportunities for young people in sports, and collaborate with international sports bodies like the NBA and NFL to make Ghana a hub for emerging sports in Africa
14. PROTECTING OUR BORDERS, KEEPING SAFE NEIGHBOURHOODS
We will not compromise on our efforts to ensure Ghanaians feel safe and are free to go about their daily lives. We will therefore continue to keep our borders protected and our communities and neighbourhoods safe. We will:
– complete the 15 Forward Operating Bases (FOB) at our border frontiers of Ghana. This is to allow the military to swiftly respond to any external hostilities and threats posed by terrorists in the Region
– continue equipping Ghana’s security services to build their
capability to protect the nation
– deepen the cooperation with our neighbouring states, and the international community, in the fight against violent extremism, and
– recruit and deploy 20,000 more security personnel to enhance
police visibility and strengthen the human resources of other security
services; roll out 50,000 more anti-crime cameras (CCTV Cameras),
body cameras for the police, and other logistics
TO LEAD IS TO SOLVE
“For me, to lead is to solve” Mahamudu Bawumia
We have demonstrated throughout this manifesto a clear understanding of what keeps you and other Ghanaians awake. The proposals we have laid out are designed to provide solutions to everyday issues for all Ghanaians and the business community.
Solutions to deliver business growth; jobs and prosperity; for enriching the lives of citizens; and for a demonstrable, problem-solving leadership of integrity.
We have also shown how our Presidential Candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, is the man who can bring values-based, selfless leadership with integrity to the job as President, and as a solution-oriented action man who gets things done.
A man who brings people together, irrespective of faith, gender, age, ethnic origin, economic or social status. A visionary man who understands what will drive future growth and prosperity and has been leading from the front in ensuring the youth of this country can fully participate in the global economy.
He is a leader who means business and has demonstrated he is not afraid of hard work.
We ask for your support and your votes to elect him as President, and also elect our NPP Parliamentary candidates, to translate these well-thought-out plans into reality.
With the help of the Almighty God and your votes, we can together, build a Ghana of possibilities and prosperity. Please join us to make it real.
It is possible!!!
NEW PATRIOTIC PARTY
DEVELOPMENT IN FREEDOM
.
Source: Citi News & The Ghana Times