Ghana Elections: VP Bawumia Unveils Ambitious Policies Amidst Economic Turmoil

Ghana’s Vice President Mahamadu Bawumia, poised as the presidential candidate for the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), unveiled his key policy objectives during a spirited campaign launch on Wednesday. In his address at the University of Professional Studies in Accra, the 60-year-old economist articulated his vision to rejuvenate the economy, combat corruption, and foster private sector growth if elected president in the upcoming December polls. Bawumia’s candidacy sets the stage for a showdown with former President John Mahama, setting the political arena abuzz with anticipation.

Ghana is grappling with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, external shocks such as the Ukraine conflict, and global economic slowdown which have strained its financial reserves and necessitated an IMF bailout. Ghanaians are navigating the challenges of rising living costs and economic instability, sentiments among citizens, with a prevailing disillusionment with the incumbent administration’s performance.

Bawumia’s speech outlined his strategic agenda for rescuing the economy: leveraging technology and data to propel inclusive economic development, which would be a move from conventional approaches. He emphasized the imperative of fiscal discipline to curtail burgeoning deficits and interest rates, proposing stringent measures to align national spending with revenue streams.

However, Bawumia’s candidacy confronts skepticism, particularly regarding his stewardship of the economy during his tenure as vice president under Nana Akufo-Addo. Some think tanks have highlighted the precarious position Bawumia finds himself in, asserting that economic woes could erode his political capital.

Source: Reuters