Vice President and flag bearer of the NPP, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, is expected to deliver a crucial message on his vision for the country ahead of the December 7 elections on Wednesday, February 7, 2024.
The leader of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) is expected to focus more on his digitalisation agenda for the country.
The theme for the address is “Ghana’s Next Chapter: Selfless Leadership and Bold Solutions for the Future.” The address will take place at the Kofi-Ohene Konadu Auditorium of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA).
The Vice President’s speech is expected to also emphasise leveraging technology, data, and systems to foster inclusive economic growth.
Dr. Bawumia aims to position Ghana as a digital hub for Africa, narrowing the digital divide and applying digital technology and artificial intelligence to transform sectors such as healthcare, education, and public service delivery.
Dr. Bawumia became the first-ever leader of the NPP of northern descent. Having won the special and main presidential candidate elections of the party, he will take over the reins of the party from his current boss, President Akufo-Addo.
Since assuming office in 2017, Mr Bawumia has championed a plethora of digital transformation initiatives, especially within the public sector. This drive won him accolades like “digitalisation man” or “digital Bawumia.”
Some of his digital initiatives include Ghana.gov payment options, mobile money interoperability, and GhanaPost GPS, amongst others.
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Meanwhile, Dr. Bawumia has been widely criticised for plunging the economy into recession despite being taunted as the “economic messiah,” and as the head of the Economic Management Team (EMT) over the past eight years.
Also, the Ghanaian cedi has depreciated significantly, although it’s seen some relative stability, selling at 12 dollars to a cedi. Inflation was at a record high, even though it has seen some drops hovering around 23%.
Teeming youth unemployment is another issue hanging around the neck of the NPP leader. Several job numbers have been thrown around; however, the unemployment numbers are alarming.
Dr Bawumia has also been accused of double standards as far as financial inclusion is concerned. The controversial electronic levy (E-levy) has discouraged some people from going cashless, thus weakening the gains made in that regard. He also supervised an EMT, which took the country back to the IMF.
More so, in their quest to move the economy from “taxation to production,” the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government has introduced more than 15 taxes since assuming office.
As the NPP strives to “break the 8,” these and many more failed promises and the corruption fight will take centre stage as the election campaign beckons. According to the ruling party, the Ghanaian economy was on sound footing, but for COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war.
As regards how Dr. Bawumia will conduct himself and whether to ride on the achievements of Mr. Akufo-Addo in the run-up to the 2024 elections, it is just a matter of time.
