The Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, says the proposed “Buy- Ghana-First” policy will play a critical role in boosting the utilisation of domestic goods and create jobs for the teeming youth.
He said goods that could be manufactured locally such as textiles and furniture would be given a priority during procurement processes to aid the private sector to grow.
“This election is critical for Ghana. We’re at a crossroads and the elections will define the trajectory of the country’s future,” Dr Bawumia said.
He made these remarks during a community stakeholder engagement at the TDC Club House in the Tema Central constituency of the Greater Accra Region on Thursday.
The event brought together various associations, including Freight Forwarders, Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Car Dealers Association, the Ghana National Registered Nurses and Midwifery Association, and the Ghana National Association of Teachers.
The stakeholders raised various concerns, including high taxes on imports, local businesses facing undue competition from foreigners and the need to enhance pension schemes.
The NPP Flagbearer explained that the Buy-Ghana-First policy was designed to support and promote the local industry and private sector to thrive under his administration.
“We will ensure that furniture for schools is not imported from other countries. Whatever we can buy from Ghana, we will purchase locally to help boost our local industry, support the private sector, and create more jobs for our people,” Dr Bawumia assured.
He highlighted some of the policy interventions outlined in the Party’s 2024 Election Manifesto, including plans to implement new tax regime, grant tax amnesty to businesses, flat tax rate, tax waivers on cars imported by nurses and teachers, and produce 2,000 megawatts of solar power under his presidency.
For instance, he said, the generation of 2,000 megawatts of solar power would reduce the cost of electricity by 50 per cent, deploy electric buses for public transport to lower transportation cost by 40 per cent, and train one million youth in ICT for digital jobs both locally and abroad.
He appealed to the constituents and Ghanaians to vote for him as President on the December 7 polls, noting that he had shown much commitment and ability during his role as the Vice President of the Republic under the Akufo-Addo-led government.
Dr Bawumia mentioned the digitalisation initiatives that assisted in eliminating “ghost workers” from the public sector payroll, which had saved the nation over GHC800 million annually.
He noted that The Free Senior High School and Technical and Vocational Education and Training had increased school enrolment from 800, 000 to 1.4 million.
Dr Bawumia pledged 1,000 bags of cement to support the construction of Tema Metro Education Office.
“Selfless Leadership and Bold Solutions for Our Future” was the theme for the NPP Flagbearer’s constituency-focused campaign.
GNA
BM/CA
6 Sept 2024
