By Ashiadey Dotse
Former President John Dramani Mahama has pledged to make Ghana a more attractive destination for business and investment if elected again.
Speaking on the GBC’s Presidential Encounter at the Studios in Accra, Mr. Mahama criticized the current government’s economic policies, which he says have made Ghana a high-cost destination for businesses.
Mr. Mahama argued that the government’s approach to raising revenue and increasing expenditure simultaneously is unsustainable. He cited examples of what he described as wasteful spending, including reports of brand-new vehicles being acquired as the government nears the end of its term and the president’s foreign travel costs, which he claimed amounted to GHS 69 million within nine months.
“These are the kinds of things we need to cut. At the same time, we must reduce taxes to make Ghana a favorable destination for investment. Right now, foreign investors looking at West Africa are choosing other countries over Ghana,” he said.
The former president also criticized some taxes introduced by the government, such as the e-levy, which he says discourages mobile money use, and the COVID-19 levy, which he called unnecessary as the pandemic is over. He promised to scrap such taxes if given the mandate, along with the betting tax, which he believes is an unfair burden on the youth.
Mr. Mahama expressed concern about Ghana losing its position as the second-largest economy in West Africa to Côte d’Ivoire in 2022, blaming the current administration for what he described as poor economic management.
He also highlighted his role in laying the groundwork for Ghana’s digital transformation during his tenure as Minister of Communications and President, emphasizing that a functioning economy must underpin digital advancements. “Digitalization is important, but it cannot replace sound economic management,” he said.
Touching on policies for the future, Mr. Mahama mentioned programs such as the Women’s Movement Bank and the National Apprenticeship Program, while accusing the current government of plagiarizing some of his party’s ideas.
With the next election approaching, Mr. Mahama urged Ghanaians to choose leaders who would prioritize fiscal discipline and make Ghana a competitive business destination in West Africa.
