As Ghana joins the world to mark Good Friday today, Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has extended well-wishes to Christians around the world, especially those in Ghana.
In a tweet on Friday, April 7, he wished Ghanaians a Happy Easter.
“I wish Christians in Ghana and around the world a happy Easter. As Christians commemorate the passion of Jesus Christ, I entreat all to learn from the sacrifice illustrated by Christ to humanity and emulate it,” he tweeted.
Good Friday is a day Christians around the world remember when Jesus willingly suffered and died by crucifixion as the ultimate sacrifice for sin.
It is also observed to celebrate the day Jesus Christ was raised from the dead, heralding his victory over sin and death and pointing ahead to a future resurrection for all who are united to him by faith.
To this end, Dr Bawumia has entreated all Christians to imitate the sacrifice Jesus Christ made to humanity.
He believed that if Christians are able to emulate the steps of Jesus Christ, there would be a “cordial co-existence on earth.”
The vice president was also hopeful and wished that the Easter celebration will be “an incident-free festive season.”
Former National Youth Organiser for the ruling New Patriotic Party, Sammi Awuku, has waded into the conversation on the next flagbearer to lead the party come 2024 in hopes of retaining power.
Mr Sammi Awuku, currently the Director General of the National Lottery Authority, has thrown his weight behind Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who is yet to declare his intention to contest in the flagbearership race.
In an interview on Asempa FM on Monday, April 3, 2023, monitored by The Independent Ghana, Mr Awuku explained that his support for the Vice President stems from the worth-emulating values Dr Bawumia possesses. Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is a very strong, tolerant and open- minded young man, he said.
“He looks into the future with courage and optimism. I’m fond of him.
“I asked him two critical questions: Why do you want to be president? He told me his major focus if he should ever become President one day is how to create a future of opportunities for young people,” Mr Awuku said.
The 38-year-old who played a vital role in mobilizing the youth leading to NPP’s victory in the 2016 general election further lauded the Veep for his unified spirit and sacrifices made for the party.
“That politics of inclusion for me is something that is admirable. I’ve watched him move with people who had supported other candidates in the past. Someone like Fredrick Opare Ansah. Day in and day out, you see new people around him,” he stated.
Mr Awuku noted that it took bravery and discipline to come up against the legal team of the National Democratic Congress in the 2020 election petition case at the Supreme Court for eight months without losing one’s composure.
“For somebody, to sit there when it mattered most to defend his party’s position and resolve for 8 months continuously and facing the NDC legal team is not easy. Lawyers Tsatsu Tsikata, Tony Lithur – deadly combination with Baasit Bamba. For 8 months he (Dr Bawumia) never lost his cool. He had his composure and defended the NPP’s position.”
According to him, “if the NPP opens nomination, and his Excellency the Vice President says he will run, I (will support him),” adding that “I think he will make a great president.”
The NLA boss has however entreated the Vice President to brace himself for intense “grilling” should he decide to declare his presidential ambition.
In his view, this is because “he (would) compete against strong and capable people in the party.”
Former Trade Minister, John Alan Kyerematen, former Agric Minister, Dr Afriyie Akoto, former Minister of Energy, Boakye Agyarko, Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, Presidential Spokesperson and General Secretary of the party, Kwabena Agyepong, former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Joe Ghartey, who is also the MP for Essikado-Ketan; a former MP for Mampong, Francis Addai-Nimoh, and a former Minister of State, Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku, who is also a former MP for Offinso North, have all declared their intention to contest for the NPP presidential primaries to help break the 8-year-cycle.
The ruling party has announced that nominations for the Presidential primaries will open on May 26, 2023 and close on June 24, 2023.
On November 4, 2023, the NPP would hold its National Congress to elect its flagbearer for the next polls.
Background details on Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia served as a Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana until his nomination as Vice Presidential candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) by then Presidential candidate Nana Akufo-Addo in 2008.
He also ran as the vice-presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party in Ghana’s 2012 general elections and was the lead witness for the petitioners in the 2012/2013 Presidential Election Petition, which challenged the declaration of John Mahama as the winner of the 2012 Presidential Election.
He became Ghana’s Vice President in 2017 after Nana Akufo-Addo beat John Mahama in the 2016 general election. In 2020, he retained his position as the NDC lost to the NPP in the presidential election.
In the world of politics, rhetoric is a powerful tool that is often used to sway public opinion and win elections.
It is the art of using language effectively to persuade or influence others, and it is an essential part of any politician’s arsenal.
But to discredit Dr. Bawumia’s credibility on mere political rhetoric is an exercise in futility. This is because rhetoric, in and of itself, is not a reliable indicator of a politician’s credibility.
While it is true that some politicians use rhetoric to manipulate or deceive their audiences, it is equally true that many politicians use it as a means of communicating their ideas clearly and compellingly.
Dr. Bawumia is a politician who has a reputation for being a skilled orator who can connect with his audience on a deep emotional level, using vivid language and powerful *metaphors* to convey his ideas. His speeches are often described as inspiring and motivating, and he has a large following of supporters who are drawn to his charisma and energy.
Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia
However, some of Dr. Bawumia’s opponents have criticized him for relying too heavily on rhetoric and not providing enough substance in his arguments.
They argue that his speeches are full of empty promises and vague generalizations and that he lacks the intellectual depth to provide real solutions to the problems facing the country.
While it is true that Dr. Bawumia’s speeches are often heavy on emotion and light on specifics, this does not necessarily mean that he lacks credibility. Many successful politicians throughout history have relied on rhetoric as a means of inspiring their followers and winning elections.
The key to evaluating a politician’s credibility is to look beyond their rhetoric and examine their actions and accomplishments. In the case of Dr. Bawumia, he has a long record of public service and has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of the Ghanaian people.
He has championed causes such as gold for oil, digitization in healthcare delivery, and job creation, and has a track record of getting things done.
US Vice Prez Kamala Harris and Vice President Bawumia
It is worth noting that, Dr. Bawumia has a reputation for being humble and submissive to his compatriots. He has never been involved in any major scandals or controversies and has always been open and forthcoming about his positions and policies.
This kind of integrity is a rare commodity in politics, and it is something that should be valued and appreciated.
In all, while it is important to be critical of politicians and hold them accountable for their actions, discrediting Dr. Bawumia’s credibility based on his political rhetoric is misguided. Rhetoric is a powerful tool that can be used for good or for ill, and it is up to us as party people and as citizens to evaluate a politician’s credibility based on their actions and accomplishments, rather than on the way they present their ideas.
Dr. Bawumia has a long record of public service and a reputation for humbleness and transparency, and these are the qualities that should matter most to us when evaluating his candidacy.
DISCLAIMER: Independentghana.com will not be liable for any inaccuracies contained in this article. The views expressed in the article are solely those of the author’s, and do not reflect those of The Independent Ghana
Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has expressed sorrow over the death of Kumawu MP, Philip Basoah.
He said the death of MP is so “painful.”
According to the Vice President who disclosed that he last met with the now deceased last Saturday, little did he know that that was the last time he was seeing him alive.
“This is so painful,” Vice President Bawumia wrote this in a post on Facebook.
Dr Bawumia therefore expressed his deepest condolences to the immediate family and constituents of the late Parliamentarian.
The MP died at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.
Below is the full post:
“I express my deepest condolences to the immediate family and Kumawu constituents on the sudden passing of Hon. Philip Atta Basoah.
I visited him this past Saturday and little did I know that it was the last time I would see him alive. This is so painful.
My prayers are with his family. May Philip’s gentle soul rest in peace.”
US Vice President Kamala Harris was warmly welcomed by the Vice President of Ghana Dr Mahamudu Bawumia when she arrived at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) in Accra on Sunday, March 26.
She is expected to meet President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and some government officials.
She will discuss regional and global priorities with the officials.
Among these priorities are democracy, sustainable economic growth, food security and the effects of the Russia-Ukraine war.
US Vice President Kamala Harris receives a heartfelt welcome from Dr Bawumia as she arrives at the Kotoka International Airport, strengthening the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the United States and Ghana. 🇬🇭🇺🇸#TV3GH#3NewsGHpic.twitter.com/lE1hVvjkBQ
“The Vice President will strengthen people-to-people ties and engage with civil society, including young leaders, business representatives, entrepreneurs, and members of the African Diaspora,” an earlier statement issued by the White House on Monday, March 13 said.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) of the Savannah Region has dismissed reports that former President John Dramani Mahama was booed at Damango during the outdooring of the new Yagbonwura in Damongo on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. They say the public should disregard a viral video suggesting so.
According to the NDC, Mr. Mahama was welcomed with cheers and loud applause as his brilliant speech touched the hearts and minds of his tribesmen, chiefs, and elders at the ceremony.
“There was absolutely no reason or cause for anyone whatsoever to hoot at President Mahama. The false narrative of being booed must be treated with contempt.
“It was observed that a small group of people who were part of unruly and uncouth supporters of the NPP were on the blind side of President Mahama and his delegation, shouting and recording themselves. In the process, the detachment of police and military personnel ensured that they remained where they were, without the people at the durbar hearing whatever they were saying,” the NDC Communications Officer for Savannah region explained in a statement.
Below is the full statement
We have taken notice of a video circulated by Koku Anyidoho on behalf of the Bawumia-led faction of the NPP.
The video and narration sought to create an impression that former President John Mahama was booed by his own tribesmen at the outdooring of our new Yagbonwura in Damongo on Tuesday.
Here are the facts:
1. As a Royal and a native of the Gonja Kingdom, President John Mahama attended the event as a son and grandson of the land.
2. HE John Mahama, after all the protocols, paying homage to the new Yagbonwura with his delegation, stepped forward to deliver his speech, which had nothing to do with politics but was full of wisdom, history, and the great traditions of the great Gonja Kingdom.
3. He was welcomed with cheers and a loud applause as his brilliant speech touched the hearts and minds of his tribesmen, chiefs, and elders at the ceremony.
4. There was absolutely no reason or cause for anyone whatsoever to hoot at President Mahama. The false narrative of being booed must be treated with contempt.
5. It was observed that a small group of people who were part of an unruly and uncouth supporters of the NPP were on the blind side of President Mahama and his delegation, shouting and recording themselves. In the process, the detachment of police and military personnel ensured that they remained where they were, without the people at the durbar hearing whatever they were saying.
6. These were NPP supporters bussed into Damongo by the NPP, obviously because of the Vice President’s feeling of insecurity and nervousness. A total of five buses transported these supporters from Tamale and Wa to cheer him.
7. However, we wish to state in the strongest terms possible that the deliberate attempts by the NPP to always bus people from other regions into the Savannah Region just to cause confusion, disorder and mayhem at public functions will no longer be tolerated, and this will be the last caution.
8. For the records, H.E John Mahama remains the only president with an enviable record of projects in the entire Gonja kingdom from Senior High Schools (E Blocks at Daboya, Mpaha and Bamboi etc), Hospitals (Sawla, Buipe and Bamboi district hospitals etc), roads (147km Fufulso-Sawla road, Datoyili – Buipe road etc), factories (Buipe shea nut, Daboya smock, Savanah cement factories etc), water projects (Ntereso water project etc) among others.
For maximum satisfaction and the avoidance of doubt, kindly find attached two videos- one of the arrivals of President Mahama at the durbar ground, and the other, the beautiful speech delivered by the former president as he was cheered on by the good people of the Savannah region and all present.
Regional Communications Officer Savannah Region NDC Damongo
Member of Parliament for Yendi, Farouk Aliu Mahama, is advocating for Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia to become the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to show that the party does not discriminate.
He, thus, has appealed to delegates of the party to choose Vice President Dr.Mahamudu Bawumiaas the flagbearer of the party for the 2024 presidential elections.
According to him, choosing Bawumia as the NPP’s presidential candidate will help break the notion that the NPP, as a party, discriminates.
Speaking in an interview on Happy FM on Monday, the MP added that leading figures in the NPP have realised that it is time to show Ghanaians that the party is for all people and not just a selected few.
“It is time for us to make sure that we clean up the perception that the NPP is for a few. The NPP is for everybody.
“We now want to work in a way that shows that the NPP is a party that accepts all. And Bawumia is the unifying person we can use to show that we accept every person.
“Bawmia will bring Northerners, Akans, Ewes, everybody together. He is a humble person, and he will be a listening president. Also, with his economic background, he will move the country to a different level,” he said in Twi.
The likes of former Trade and Industry Minister Alan Kyerematen Assin, Central MP Ken Agyapong, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the former Food and Agriculture Minister Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, ex-Mampong MP Francis Addai-Nimoh, and ex-Regional Cooperation Minister Dr. Kofi Konadu Apreku are expected to face off in the race for the flagbearership position of the NPP.
A photo of Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia in a handshake with the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has warmed the hearts of many Ghanaians.
On either end, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and the Vice President of Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, command their shares of public admiration, though the former mostly outweighs the latter.
And even more recently, because of the impending political season the country is about to enter, news and stories about the vice president have taken on even more interest in the hearts and minds of many.
This is because Dr. Bawumia has been linked to the vacant position of flagbearer (presidential candidate) of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), especially since his president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, is no longer going to be in the picture.
But then, there has yet to be any official announcement by the man himself on this new move, although several recent movements of the vice president point to those indications.
That aside, the Asantehene hosted the 2023 Akwasidae Festival over the past weekend in Kumasi.
In attendance were some of the crème de la crème of the country’s political, traditional and affluent class.
Sharing some of the photos from his attendance of the Akwasidae, the Minister of Energy, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, posted a photo of the moment the vice president, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, met with Otumfuo Osei Tutu II in what appeared to have been a meeting right after the public ceremony.
Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has pledged government’s unflinching support for the people of Gonja.
He declared that the Government of Ghana will fully cooperate with the newly enskinned and outdoored Overload of the Gonja Kingdom in his quest to develop the kingdom.
He assured the new Yagbonwura, Bii-Kunuto Jawu Soale, that his development vision would receive government cooperation.
The Vice President gave the assurance when he took his turn to speak during the outdooring of the newly enskinned Overload of the Gonja Kingdom at the Jakpa Palace in Damongo held on Tuesday, March 21, 2023.
He underscored the need for peace and unity as a necessary condition for the fight against poverty and the quest for development.
“I want to assure him that the Government will give him the utmost cooperation in fulfilling that vision for the development of the Yagbon State…We should always remember that our enemy is poverty, and we should make sure that we come together to have development, the development we cannot have without peace. And therefore, we need to hold peace as a very high-level objective and work towards getting peace among ourselves,” he said.
The Vice President added that the creation of the Savannah Region, inhabited mainly by the Gonja people, has led to marked development in the area, which bears ample testament to the commitment of the Government to developing the area.
Pollster and Managing Editor of the Dispatch Newspaper, Ben Ephson, has stated that Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is likely to emerge as the preferred candidate to lead the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
He says the Vice president Mahamudu Bawumia stands a high chance of becoming the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
His comment comes at the back of the Vice president’s visit to Akwasidae at Manhyia Palace in Kumasi on Sunday, March 19, 2023. Where over 80 lawmakers, government appointees and some stakeholders who matter within the New Patriotic Party (NPP) accompanied him to the event.
Ben Epson said this move witnessed, sends a strong message.
“Human head is not a coconut to see inside and I believe that the various delegates will vote in secret and the delegation I think was to send a message because you need to bear in mind that many of the Members of Parliament of the NPP will be seeking reelection.
“For your chances in seeking reelection many of the delegates that will vote for you as the Member of Parliament to remain in Parliament you will ensure that people who will obey you are people you have handpicked and elected. So it is likely that many of the MPs have handpicked those they can control to vote for them to remain in power,” the Pollster stated.
He continued: “So it is meant to send a signal and I am waiting for the date of the flag bearer ship of the NPP to be announced and I will conclude my seventh book on elections. But I have done some work before the election of the executives and post-election of the executives.
“I can reveal exclusively on your program that I think that Bawumia is in the lead in terms of possibly winning the NPP flag bearer ship race,” starrfmonline.com.gh quoted Ben Ephson.
Mr. Ephson added that there is a high change Dr Bawumia will poll over 60 per cent voted in the NPP’s flagbearer race.
The Minister of Energy, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has debunked rumours that he is working to become Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s running mate.
He, thus, has asked the general public to ignore speculations about his alleged intentions to serve as a running mate to Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia should the latter contest and win in the ruling New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) flagbearer race ahead of the 2024 elections.
Speaking on Kumasi-based Pure FM in an exclusive interview with Kwame Adinkrah on March 20, 2023, Napo, as he is affectionately called, declared in an unequivocal tone that he believes in the competence of Dr. Bawumia to lead Ghana, hence his selfless effort in trumpeting his capabilities.
He noted that he serves as the Energy Minister and Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, which remains his primary focus, and so he is not working to earn the admiration of the Vice President.
“Kwame, I have also heard it on the radio and on social media that I am aiming at serving as Dr. Bawumia’s vice, hence my constant crusade in telling Ghanaians the competence of Dr. Bawumia.
Ghanaians should ignore these rumours. The vice president position is neither a birthright nor an elected position.
The person under discussion has not even declared his bid to lead the NPP as its flagbearer, so tell me, why will I sit here and think or harbour that vision of serving as his veep.”
“I serve as the Minister of Energy; that is my primary focus. However, I believe in the competence of our Vice President, and Ghanaians must know these qualities of his, Simple!
I am not working to become his running mate,” Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh retorted.
Beatrice Annan, a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) media team, has accused Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of misleading Ghanaians regarding his assertion that the Gold-for-Oil policy, which he is supporting, is the cause of the country’s lower fuel prices.
She claims that the small amount of oil imported into the nation as a result of the program has no bearing on the cost of oil-related goods.
Speaking in an interview on TV3, on Thursday, which GhanaWeb monitored, lawyer Annan added that oil prices are going down because world market prices are going down.
“If somebody tells you that in the space of 5 months, I have brought you Gold-for-Oil that can not even supply you for a month but some way somehow that is what is accounting for the reduction then even if you are not an industry player you know from the word go that he lied.
“Because in January world oil price was $87 per barrel, in February it reduced to $86, as at now it is $74.47. And so fuel prices at the international market are reducing.
“It is the reason fuel prices are reducing, not because of Gold-for-Oil. And for God’s sake we have to be truthful to the people of Ghana,” she said.
The Head of Ghana’s Economic Management Team, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, took a swipe at critics of the government’s Gold-for-oil policy.
Touting the success of the policy which is currently in its third month of implementation, the vice president said the country will witness more benefits from the policy which ultimately will help stabilise the exchange rate as well as prices of fuel.
“We have to understand, the prices of fuel will go up and will come down. But what we expect to see under the Gold-For-Oil Policy is more stability in the pricing and also savings in foreign exchange. There is more to come, this is the third month of the operation of the policy.
“Some people said it will not work; Ghana does not have enough gold. How can you say that? We’ve been mining this gold for 200 years; they keep taking it out and it cannot work for us? It doesn’t make sense,” he said.
“There are people who are very disappointed that it is working but bleeding is allowed. We have an impossibility mindset. They can keep to it, for us all things are possible by the grace of God,” Dr Bawumia added.
Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia says Ghana Card numbers will be issued to newborn babies at birth from March 31, 2023.
The number will be a special identity for every child throughout his/her education journey and not wait till 15 years before registration.
Vice President Bawumia announced this at a breast cancer awareness programme at Accra Newtown, to mark International Women’s Day, on Wednesday.
The event was jointly organised by Breast Care International and the Office of the Vice President to sensitise women on the need to regularly check and screen their breasts for early detection of cervical cancer for treatment.
International Women’s Day is marked every year to recognise the enormous contributions of women in national development held on the theme: “Digital: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality.”
The Vice President highlighted some of the digital programmes and interventions rolled out by the Government to enhance service delivery and promote the ease-of-doing-business in Ghana.
They included the digital property addressing system for easy identification of properties and locations, medical drone delivery centres to facilitate speedy delivery of medicines and blood products to remote areas, mobile money interoperability payment system for convenient transfer of money across the various telecommunication networks and electronic renewal of national health insurance cards.
He believed that the digitisation of the economy would fast-track economic development and urged the public to support the government’s digital transformation agenda.
Dr Mrs Beatrice Wiafe-Addai, the Founder of the Breast Care International and Peace and Love Hospitals, in an address, paid glowing tribute to women in Ghana and across the globe, for standing up for their civic rights and drawing attention to acts of injustices being meted out to women in deprived communities.
“The continued re-awakening of our consciousness to challenges impeding our progress bears testimony to our fidelity to the cause of the female textile torchbearers who triggered this struggle in New York on March 8, 1857.
“Clearly, that pioneering protest against unfair working conditions and unequal rights for women has not been in vain, given the sustained gains recorded by activists against artificial barriers and inequalities against women,” she said.
She noted that women in Afghanistan, Libya and several other places where rights were under threat, should remind Ghanaians and the world of the long walk to freedom.
Therefore, she said, it was imperative to support females across the world to bring alive the dreams of little girls yearning to become women of substance tomorrow.
“The sterling performance of several renowned global women is sufficient evidence that a successful woman is the one who can build a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at her,” she pointed out.
Dr Wiafe-Addai underscored the need for women to resist all cultural stereotypes stifling their initiative and drive.
She said the Breast Care International and Peace and Love Hospital were poised to move away from the generalities of the celebration and do some stock-taking on the various pitfalls to forge a future with higher women inclusion in decision-making processes.
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia was greeted with loud applause as he handed over the reconstructed Kumasi Central Mosque to the Mosque’s committee after it was commissioned on Friday amidst excitement.
The commissioning ceremony was graced by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the National Chief Imam Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu and a host of distinguished dignitaries including Ministers, MPs, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Regional Imams, Zongo Chiefs, as well as top Muslim and Christian clerics.
The enthusiastic Muslim community from the Ashanti Region and beyond, turned up in their numbers to show appreciation to Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, for what is being hailed as a remarkable gesture of providing a breathtaking piece of architecture.
The mosque was officially commissioned by the Vice President and the Asantehene in time for Jummah prayers. In no time after it was opened to the public, the 7,000 capacity mosque was filled with several others praying outside.
As the excited people entered the mosque, some were seen shedding tears of joy in excitement and admiration of the sheer beauty of the mosque.
To The Glory of Allah Speaking at the ceremony, Vice President Bawumia said he undertook the project “to the glory of Allah “, and expressed gratitude to God for giving him the strength and the will to be able to complete it single-handedly.
“I am really grateful to the Almighty Allah for giving me the vision, guidance and commitment to be able to undertake this massive project. I was touched by the Almighty Allah when I visited the mosque in 2020 and realised that it needed urgent attention.”
Dr. Bawumia noted that, the Kumasi Central Mosque, as one of the oldest mosques in the country, represents the vision of “our forefathers” and expressed his delight at the transformation of the mosque into a modern edifice, befitting the status of Kumasi as a renowned city.
The reconstructed Kumasi Central Mosque
Asanteman’s cooperation with Muslim community While acknowledging the roles of the founding fathers of the Kumasi Central Mosque, Vice President Bawumia also commended the Manhyia Palace and Asanteman for the peaceful co-existence and cooperation between Asanteman and the Muslim community, as well as the support Otumfuo Agyemang Prempeh II offered the Muslim Community in building the first Kumasi Central Mosque.
“As history beautifully captures, the Manhyia Palace played an instrumental role in the first Kumasi Central Mosque during the reign of Asantehene Otumfuo Sir Agyemang Prempeh II,” Dr. Bawumia said.”
“This clearly underlines how long-standing the relationship between Asanteman and the Muslim community has been, and the extent of support and cooperation, the Manhyia Palace in particular has offered.”
“The Asante Kingdom, predating the days of Otumfuo Sir Agyemang Prempeh, is documented to have cooperated with Muslims within the Kingdom. This beautiful tradition has also continued under successive Asantehenes”
“The presence of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II today, signifies the premium the Asantehene and the Asante Kingdom place on the historic relationship.”
A call for unity and peaceful co-existence While urging Muslims to continue to use the mosque as a converging point not only for prayers, but also for community integration, he called for even greater tolerance and cooperation between Muslims and neighbours of the Christian faith.
“This is our beautiful Ghana, where we tolerate, respect and support each other as one people. God has blessed our country with peace and unity amongst us, so let us be grateful to him. Let us also continue to uphold the religious tolerance we show, which has endeared our country.”
Plaudits for Dr. Bawumia The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu commended Dr. Bawumia for the gift he has given to, not only the Muslim community, but Asanteman as a whole.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu added that, Dr. Bawumia, as a responsible son, has done what he ought to do, and as a father, he could not thank him enough.
He urged the Zongo Community to take good care of the mosque and ensure it is well maintained at all times.
The custodians of the mosque, the Kumasi Central Mosque Committee also expressed immense gratitude to Dr. Bawumia for his remarkable gesture.
Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has been lauded for gifting the Coaltar District of the Presbyterian church a school.
The Vice President, who pledged to contribute to the Presbyterian Church’s decision to build legacy centenary anniversary projects, is building a classroom block for Kwaboanta JHS in the Ayensuano District, in the Eastern Region.
Dr. Bawumia visited Kwaboanta to inspect the project, which is nearing completion, and he was showered with commendations, both by the Presby Church and the community.
The Coaltar District Minister for the Presby Church, Rev. Odai, recalled how the Vice President made the pledge to build the school during the Centenary Anniversary celebration of the Akuapem Presbytery, adding that Dr.
Vice President, I want to say the children of this community are so excited about this because they need such a place for their training and we are thankful to you.
Bawumia for his thoughtfulness and generosity to the Church and the community.
The Chief said the community is in need of educational facilities and the project by the Vice President would a long way to help them.
Before inspecting the project, Dr. Bawumia thanked the Almighty God for giving him the guidance and strength to personally undertake the project.
The Vice President also commended the for the Church’s immense contributions to the development of Ghana.
The Office of the Vice President Tuesday expressed satisfaction with the Special Prosecutor’s decision to continue investigations into the clearance of 15 containers of rice in which the Office allegedly facilitated the clearance.
Mr James Keck Osei allegedly sought assistance from the Commissioner-General of Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to clear the 15 containers of rice in April, 2022.
Mr James Keck Osei, a civil servant who works at the Office of the Vice President as Director of Administration, is being investigated by the Special Prosecutor for addressing an unauthorised letter to the Commissioner-General of the GRA on April 27, 2022, seeking assistance to clear the 15 containers of rice.
The letter, among other things, falsely conveyed information that the Office of the Vice President needed the containers of rice for the Ramadan festivities.
The GRA did not comply with the said letter but rather informed him that there was another claimant to the rice.
On receipt of that information, Mr Keck Osei wrote another letter on July 5, 2022, to withdraw his letter of 27th April, 2022.
In his second letter, he stated that the Commissioner-General of the GRA should cancel any prior action taken based on his previous letter.
A statement issued on Tuesday by the Secretary to the Vice President, Mr Augustine Blay, in response to the matter, said it was only the Secretary to the Vice President who is mandated to write letters on the Office’s behalf and that Mr Keck Osei did not have any such authority.
It said the Chief Director at the Office of the President had also begun investigations into the issue in accordance with the Civil Service procedures, rules and regulations and where a breach is established, the Service shall apply the necessary sanctions.
In September, last year, it came to the attention of the Office of the Vice President that Mr Keck Osei had been invited by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (SP) to assist in an investigation related to rice importation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiTal4VJyUE
Following the SP’s announcement, Mr Keck Osei was arraigned on Monday, February 13, 2023.
The Secretary-General of the National Tenant Union of Ghana, Frederick Opoku, has refuted claims that the National Rental Assistance Scheme of the government will solely benefit supporters of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Speaking in an interview on ‘The Lowdown’ programme on GhanaWeb TV, Frederick Opoku said that the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who has been championing the scheme, has assured that every Ghanaian, no matter their political affiliation, benefits from the programme.
“The government involving the private sector and the Tenant Union of Ghana to be fully involved and also monitor, evaluate and comment is enough for us to believe that nothing is going to be hidden.
“On the day that they were launching this (scheme), at the foul glare of the vice president, I was very categorical that, Mr Vice President, Madam Chief of Staff, we know that people don’t trust whatever the government brings and that we fear that everything must be transparent, credible so that people will have trust in the system and the scheme.
“And we were given the assurance even when the vice president had the stage. And in fact, from there we realise that they meant business. And this time round we don’t foresee it becoming like others or the usual,” he said.
The secretary-general, who made the remarks while answering a question on the politicization of the scheme by GhanaWeb’s Daniel Oduro, added that the only thing needed by Ghanaians from both the private sector and the public sector, who want to benefit from the scheme, is that proof that they can repay the assistance given to them on a monthly basis.
About National Rental Assistance Scheme:
Government through the Ministry of Works and Housing on January 31, 2023, launched the National Rental Assistance Scheme with a GH¢30 million commitment under a pilot phase.
The pilot phase will cover the Greater Accra, Ashanti, Western, Eastern, Bono East, and Northern regions.
Under the scheme, rent payment advances will be made for applicants who are either in the process of renewing, renting a room/apartment or a complete house.
Government adds that the scheme will provide low-interest loans to eligible Ghanaians to enable them to pay rent advances, which will be repaid on a monthly basis to match the tenure of the rent.
GhanaWeb Business examines the simple steps and requirements for enrolling in the NRAS.
How to qualify:
To qualify for the scheme, an applicant must show proof of employment covering 3 months of payslips, proof of income (3 months of official bank statements or mobile money statements), or an audited financial statement (for business owners).
Other requirments:
• Applicants must be Ghanaian
• Possess a valid Ghana Card
• Must be an adult of eighteen (18) years and above
• Verifiable employment and earned income
• Rent payable must not exceed 30 percent of the household income
Application process and how to apply
• The qualified person is expected to identify a property of their preference and notify the NRAS of same through a formal online application. (https://www.nras.gov.gh)
• An applicant must also complete an online or paper application form or submit two forms of national identification. They will also pay an application processing fee of 100 cedis.
• If an application is approved, National Rental Assistance Scheme will arrange with your chosen landlord and pay the rent advance directly and sign all required tenancy documentation.
• It will take about 5 to 10 business days for the NRAS to evaluate your affordability for the rent amount being sought and notify you of your application’s acceptance or denial.
• Once this process is complete, the tenant takes possession of the rental property thereafter and rent payment is always due on the first of each month to the NRAS.
The Ghana Mineworkers Union and certain civil society organizations have expressed worry about the viability of the country’s policy of exchanging its gold hoard for oil on the world market.
They contend that although while the concept is highly novel, it only seems to offer a temporary fix to the nation’s current economic problems.
More long-lasting measures need to be implemented, according to Abdul Moomin, general secretary of the Ghana Mineworkers Union.
“At the end of the day, the expectation is that, if it’s a credible avenue that we can use to leverage the rising cost of petroleum products across the globe and Ghana is not an exception, I think it’s an innovative idea that could be looked at. But it all boils down to how much gold we have in store and how much we are ready to trade,” he said.
“I see the Gold for Oil very sustainable. If you look at the data, the quantity of gold that is exported every year, particularly sector, if the government had a firmer control over it, things would have been better in this country. This policy has great benefits to the citizenry as fuel prices will stabilize which will also prevent the prices of products from skyrocketing. Again, for the past two weeks after the country took its first delivery of oil, the Cedi has stabilize against the dollar and that is good for the country.”
“Few days ago, GOIL reduced diesel price by 4% and they attributed this to the Gold for Oil Policy. If this project is continued it will have a rippling positive on citizenry and the plight of Ghanaians will be relieved from the economic hardship which they are currently facing.”
Government of Ghana a fortnight ago took delivery of 41,000 metric tonnes of the petroleum products delivered by SCF YENISEI to be sold by BOST to bulk distributing companies (BDCs) around Ghana.
Valued at $40 million, it was brokered by the Economic Management Team led by Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
In November 2022, the government announced plans to buy oil products with gold rather than US dollars.
Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, said that the move was meant to tackle dwindling foreign currency reserves coupled with demand for dollars by oil importers, which was weakening the local cedi and increasing living costs.
“It will fundamentally change our balance of payments and significantly reduce the persistent depreciation of our currency,” Dr Bawumia said.
According to the Authority, it would make sure that OMCs that lift goods supplied under the “gold for oil” scheme pass the price on to customers appropriately.
However, it was observed that the NPA’s control over petroleum product prices was only temporary.
The price at which the BIDECs will sell the products to oil marketing companies (OMCs), according to a statement from the NPA seen by GhanaWeb Business, “will also be approved by the NPA.”
“The applicable exchange rate for pricing the products supplied under G4O will be based on the average rate at which the gold was purchased from licensed gold exporters by the BoG…The BoG ordinarily purchases the gold aggregated by the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC).
The National Petroleum Authority, in the statement disclosed that Ghana paid US$40 million for about 40,000 metric tonnes of diesel in the first consignment of its gold-for-oil programme.
The gold-for-oil programme is to allow government pay for imported oil products with gold in a direct barter with gold purchased by the central bank.
The move, announced by Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia will serve as an intervention to help stabilise prices of fuel products, as well as, reduce pressure on Ghana’s foreign exchange.
The first oil consignment arrievd in January 2023.
Below is the full statement by the NPA:
FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GOLD FOR OIL PROGRAMME
1. The implementation of the government’s Gold for Oil (G4O) programme commenced with the arrival of the first consignment of about 40,000 metric tonnes of diesel on January 15, 2023, valued at about US$40 million.
2. The prime objective of the programme is to use additional foreign exchange resources from the Bank of Ghana’s Domestic Gold Purchase(DGP) programme to provide foreign currency for the importation of petroleum products for the country which currently stands at about US$350 million per month.
3. Payment for oil supply is to be done in two channels: by way of barter trade where gold is exchanged for oil or via broker channel where the gold is converted into cash and paid to the supplier.
4. The first consignment of 40,000 metric tonnes of diesel constitutes about 10 percent of the country’s combined monthly demand for petrol and diesel.
5. The plan is to gradually increase imports under G4O to constitute about 50 percent of the country’s total demand for petrol and diesel by March 2023.
6. The implementation of the G4O will ease pressure on the dollar (the currency used for the importation of petroleum products) and avoid the occasional increases in petroleum prices resulting from the depreciation of the cedi against the dollar.
7. The programme will ensure that the cost of importing the products from international oil traders is comparatively cheaper.
8. The consequent reduction in foreign exchange pressures and premiums charged by international oil traders as well as efficiency gains from the value chain will lead to lower ex-pump prices in the country.
9. To ensure that the price of petroleum products imported under the G4O programme reflects at the pumps to benefit the consumer, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) will regulate the prices of the products in the interim until the volumes increase significantly.
10. NPA will work with Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company Limited (BOST) to negotiate prices with international oil traders to ensure that the landed cost of products procured under the programme are always competitive.
11. The price at which BOST will sell the products to Bulk Import, Distribution, and Export Companies (BIDECs) will be approved by the NPA. The price at which the BIDECs will sell the products to Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) will also be approved by the NPA.
12. The applicable exchange rate for pricing the products supplied under G4O will be based on the average rate at which the gold was purchased from the licensed gold exporters by BoG. The BoG ordinarily purchases the gold aggregated by the Precious Minerals Marketing Company (PMMC)
13. The NPA will put measures in place to ensure that OMCs that lift products supplied under the G4O programme pass the price on to consumers accordingly. In this respect, BIDECs and OMCs who lift and supply G4O products will sell at the ex-refinery and ex-pump prices that will be determined by the NPA. If there must be a comingling of products supplied under G4O and other sources, the ex-refinery and ex-pump prices will be computed using a weighted average.
14. All BIDECs and OMCs who wish to purchase products under the G4O programme will be required to sign off an undertaking confirming their willingness to comply with the terms and conditions for partaking in the purchase and sale of G4O products.
An estimated US$ 8.3 million in monthly revenue is lost through corrupt practices at the country’s seaports.
This sum amounts to almost US$ 50 million every six months and US$ 100 million each year, according to Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia. The losses, he said, are due in part to deception by some importers who, with the aid of some rogue officials, deliberately and wrongly declare the contents of imported containers.
“In an attempt to lessen corruption at the various ports, the country initiated a port paperless system (PPS) in 2017 that allows for a transparent clearing system,” he said.
He however said there remains a lot to be done to attain a fully corruption-free port.
“There is therefore a compelling need for maritime sector stakeholders across the continent to formalise actions to combat bribery and corruption, by collaborating and encouraging all stakeholders in the ship/shore interface to ensure compliance with national and international laws prohibiting corruption,” Dr Bawumia advised.
Dr Bawumia said this in a speech read on his behalf by the Minister of Public Enterprises, Joseph Cudjoe, at a Regional Maritime Stakeholders’ Workshop in Accra.
With Port Tema controlling 70 percent of the country’s seaborne trade and Takoradi Port handling the export of minerals mainly from mines situated in the Western part of the country, Dr Bawumia maintains that challenges such as bureaucracy and delays in clearing goods have been minimised through the PPS
Meanwhile, maritime stakeholders have expressed concern that the inability to fully tackle corruption at the various ports could have far-reaching consequences which would be detrimental to shipping operations within the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Danish Ambassador to Ghana, Tom Norring, disclosed that Denmark has been assisting countries in the sub-region to build a robust, corruption-free shipping industry.
“Denmark has always been a strong player in the maritime sector globally and in the West African region. We have always encouraged transparency in the sector, as Denmark is a country that frowns on corruption. The Danish maritime industry is known for its efficiency, and we have helped to replicate some of its technologies in the region,” he said.
Ambassador Norring said the African Continental Free Trade Area presents a historic opportunity to boost intra-African trade through the maritime industry, and thus further reap the sector’s benefits.
The Regional Maritime Stakeholder Workshop on Global Good Practice in Vessel Clearance was organised by the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network; Convention of Business Integrity-Nigeria; the Danish government and the Ghana Maritime Authority.
The Member of Parliament for Yendi, Farouk Aliu-Mahama, has said that Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia should be the flagbearer of his party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Being a presidential or parliamentary candidate of a party, he believes, should not be based on the number of years one has been a member of the party.
He said that people saying it is the turn of Alan Kyerematen to be the flagbearer of the NPP are wrong because there were people on the scene before him, including Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, who contested with ex-President John Agyekum Kufour.
Aliu-Mahama, who made these remarks in a JoyNews interview monitored by GhanaWeb on Sunday, added that the vice president over the past few years has proven that he has the capacity and the competence to transform Ghana.
“My support for Dr. Bawumia is not because my late father wanted to see him at some point. I have seen the vice president, within the shortest possible time, become a force to reckon with in this country.
“He has moved the country as a vice president; he has done a lot. He has the vision to do more with the support of the president and has carried himself to the admiration of everybody; he is very competent.
“The vice president at least can lead Ghana to the promise land… Dr. Bawumia is somebody who stands tall, in the last 16 years, everything is about Bawumia. Even those who don’t like Bawumia are speaking about him,” he said.
He warned the party to be careful with how it handles the upcoming presidential primaries to ensure that it does not divide the party as it did in 2008, which led to the party losing the election.
He added that even though all the persons who have expressed interest in contesting in the party’s flagbearership race are competent, only one person can emerge as the winner.
Meanwhile, the vice president has been projected to be the flagbearer of the NPP in a recent study co-conducted by Outcomes International Ghana and the Centre for Sustainable African Development Initiatives (C-SADI) UK.
According to the survey, the most popular candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer position in all 16 regions of Ghana is the vice president.
In all, the survey got responses from around 197,000 NPP polling station executives (PSEs) in all the regions.
“Data was obtained mainly through computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) technology between 15th November 2022 and 15th December 2022. Based on 95% confidence level and 2% margin of error a sample size of 6000 PSEs was used. However, 5641 PSEs were successfully interviewed (response rate of 94%) from all 96 constituencies.
“Greater Accra region had the highest number of PSEs interviewed with 1142 PSEs followed by the Ashanti region with 869 PSEs corresponding to 20.2% and 15.4% respectively. More than half of PSE’s who participated in the survey were Akan (54% [n=3056 PSEs]), and 46% (n=2585 PSEs) were non-Akan. In terms of religious distribution, 78% of the PSEs were Christian whilst 20.6% were Muslim,” the report stated.
As the favorite choice among delegates, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is expected to prevail in the New Patriotic Party‘s presidential primary and represent the party in the 2024 presidential elections.
This was contained in a delegates-based survey conducted by Outcomes International Ghana and Centre for Sustainable African Development Initiatives (C-SADI) UK.
The two firms jointly conducted the month-long survey between 15th November 2022 and 15th December 2022.
The survey also revealed that nearly 90% of the delegates believe that a candidate’s religious affiliation does not matter to them when electing a flagbearer. The study was done in all 16 regions of the country using an estimated 197,000 NPP polling station executives (PSEs) as the target population
Below is the FullResearch Ghana is an emerging democratic country seen as a good example for countries in sub-Saharan Africa. There are several political parties in the country but the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) are the two dominant parties.
In spite of the current economic challenges triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic and precipitated by the Russian-Ukraine war, the governing NPP remains a major political force in the upcoming 2024 general elections.
One major political issue dominating the media landscape of Ghana in recent times is the question of who leads the NPP into the next general election. The key people to elect the next presidential candidate of the NPP are party delegates, made up of polling station executives, electoral area coordinators, constituency executives, regional executives, national executives and Members of Parliament among others.
The person who emerges as the presidential candidate is crucial as they are key in determining the direction and developmental agenda for the country when they subsequently become the president. A number of potential candidates have so far been identified.
They include Hon. Alan Kyerematen, a former Trade Minister, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, a former Agriculture minister, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the current vice president, Hon. Kennedy Agyapong, a businessman and member of parliament, Hon. Boakye Agyarko, a former energy minister, and Mr Kwabena Agyapong, a former General Secretary of the NPP.
Other potential candidates include Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku, a former member of parliament and minister of state, Mr. Kwadwo Nsafoah Poku, energy expert, Hon Joe Gartey, a member of parliament and former minister of state, and Hon, Francis Addai Nimo, a former member of parliament.
Given the importance of the NPP presidential candidate election, Outcomes International Ghana and Centre for Sustainable African Development Initiatives (C-SADI) UK jointly conducted a survey to determine who is likely to win the presidential candidate of the NPP. The study also looked into other socio-demographic factors that are likely to influence the outcome of the NPP’s presidential candidate election.
For example, how ethnicity/geography and religion affect the chances of viable candidates, as well as the basis on which delegates assess the suitability of a candidate.
The study was done in all 16 regions of the country using an estimated 197,000 NPP polling station executives (PSEs) as the target population. PSEs form the most important constituency as they make up more than 90% of the total delegates who will elect the NPP presidential candidate. Participants were selected using multistage probability proportional to size sampling (PPS) with implicit stratification.
Subsamples were taken in three steps: the constituencies in a region were the primary sampling units (PSUs), the electoral areas in the selected constituencies were the second-stage sampling units, and the NPP Polling Station Executives were the final sampling units.
Data was obtained mainly through computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) technology between 15th November 2022 and 15th December 2022. Based on 95% confidence level and 2% margin of error a sample size of 6000 PSEs was used.
However, 5641 PSEs were successfully interviewed (response rate of 94%) from all 96 constituencies. Greater Accra region had the highest number of PSEs interviewed with 1142 PSEs followed by the Ashanti region with 869 PSEs corresponding to 20.2% and 15.4% respectively. More than half of PSE’s who participated in the survey were Akan (54% [n=3056 PSEs]), and 46% (n=2585 PSEs) were non-Akan. In terms of religious distribution, 78% of the PSEs were Christian whilst 20.6% were Muslim.
Figure 1 shows the results obtained for the question on which candidate PSE’s would vote for if elections were held today.
The most preferred candidate for the NPP’s flagbearer position among PSEs is Dr Mahamudu Bawumia leading in all 16 regions as shown in figure 1. The closest contenders to Dr Bawumia are Mr Alan Kyeremanten and Mr Kennedy Agyapong respectively. It is worth noting that some PSEs (12.3%) indicated they have not yet decided on whom to vote for, but that does not significantly change the outcome.
Ethnic/geographic or religious background of the candidate did not appear to have a significant effect on PSEs voting preferences. Indeed, 9 out of 10 (86.4%) PSEs believe that a candidate’s religious affiliation does not matter to them when electing a flagbearer (see figure 2).
The main basis for assessing candidates’ suitability for flagbearer by PSEs include the vision of the candidate for the party (58.89% picked this as first or second choice), the vision of the candidate for the country (40.49% picked this as first or second choice) and the loyalty of the candidate for the party (32.51% picked this as first or second choice). Other prominent basis for assessing candidates were the perceived competence, humility, marketability, commitment, personality and the candidate’s contribution to the party.
This research is jointly published by The Outcomes International Ghana and Centre for Sustainable African Development Initiatives (C-SADI) UK. Further details can be obtained from Outcomes International Ghana or C-SADI.
Opening the maiden edition of the Africa Prosperity Dialogues (APD), at Adukrom, in the Eastern Region yesterday, he pointed out three main areas that needed attention to bring Africa’s desired transformation.
They are smart investments in critical infrastructure, unleashing of productive capacities across the continent, and mobilisation of finance and investments to bridge the infrastructure gap and generate sustainable growth.
“As key stakeholders, we must consolidate the successes so far and, with a sense of urgency, develop the signature solutions needed to deepen intra-African trade and spur impactful investments needed to bring prosperity to the continent and its people. And we must do this with fearless determination,” Dr Bawumia said.
Dubbed the Kwahu Summit, the first of the annual dialogues, is a three-day event has brought together Africa’s political and business leaders to discuss intra-Africa trade, with a focus on the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“The time has come for Africa and Africans to define our own narrative. Africa can no longer allow poverty and underdevelopment to be the destiny of her peoples, being a continent so blessed with every natural resource imaginable oil, gas, minerals, and sunshine,” Dr Bawumia said.
On the smart investments in critical infrastructure, he said the continent needed to produce and trade its way out of poverty and underdevelopment by looking for additional resources to finance the ‘arteries for trade’.
These arteries, he said included the physical infrastructure such as roads, rail, and energy; digital infrastructure such as data centres to facilitate the digital transformation and financial infrastructure for integration of financial markets, which would be critical to delivering the success of the AfCFTA.
On productive capacities, he advocated the creation of platforms for knowledge brokerage and access to information on critical products and services on the continent to allow 445 million small businesses across the continent to plug into the value chains of these mega industries.
“We need to develop Africa into a manufacturing zone that will facilitate the trade of value-added products. These, in my view, will be critical to leapfrog Africa’s industrialisation and the enormous socio-economic benefits,” he said.
For finance and investments, he said Africa needed to mobilise between $ 130 billion and $ 170 billion annually to bridge its infrastructure gap and generate sustainable growth at five per cent per annum or more.
“This presents immense opportunities for private sector investment. Attracting private sector participation through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) is therefore essential for the delivery of various infrastructure projects.
“There is a need for innovative policies to mobilise and allocate resources more effectively, and for better coordination amongst all African stakeholders and international partners,” the Vice President indicated.
The AfCFTA Secretary-General, Wamkele Mene, said Africa’s challenges were great opportunities for the continent to exploit in order to speed up its long-awaited development.
He urged participants of the dialogues to dig deep into their thoughts and proffer effective ways and policies that the AfCFTA can fall on in order to achieve the objectives of AfCFTA.
The Founder and Chairman of the Africa Prosperity Network, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, on his part, observed that AfCFTA, promises economic integration hence its success would be the collective success of the continent.
“AfCFTA’s success is our (Africa’s) success. If it works, it will boost significantly trade and investments, provide jobs and increase prosperity across the continent, like never before,” he said.
In order for it (AfCFTA) to succeed, Mr Otchere-Darko said the workings of the AfCFTA should be seen and felt by the people and for African businesses collectively own and benefit from it.
“The combined voices of Africa’s businesses, big and small, must be heard and felt. The aggregate value of enterprises and industries across Africa must be networked, coordinated, and impactfully leveraged,” Mr Otchere-Darko posited.
Former District Chief Executive (DCE) for Sekyere Afram Plains and a staunch member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Fuseini Donkor has envisaged that nothing can stop Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia from becoming the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP)
He disclosed that over the period, Dr Bawumia has become popular at the grassroots level in the party and that is easy to be manifested during the polls.
According to him, current President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is aware the party does not like it when a sitting president imposes a presidential candidate on them the reason, he is very tactical in openly supporting his popular Vice President.
According to him, Former President Kufuor tried to impose John Alan Kyeremanten on the party in 2008 but failed because the party members did buy into that idea.
Speaking on Nhyira Fm monitored by MyNewsGh.com in Kumasi, Fuseini Donkor revealed that, “Kufuor felt Ghana would be safe in the hands of Alan than Nana Addo but the party also said they knew him (Akufo-Addo) long ago so the party defied President Kufuor”.
He further explained that, because the NPP party does not want Presidents to choose a leader for them, “that is why they (Akufo-Addo and co) were smart enough to lay the foundation on the grounds for Bawumia. So on the grounds, they’ve already built everything for Bawumia”
The SWAG Awards is held annually to honour distinguished Ghanaian sportsmen and sportswomen, and over 40 athletes who excelled and brought honours to the country in 2022, will be honoured by SWAG on January 28, 2023.
An aide to the Vice President, Tamimu Issah, presented Dr Bawumia’s Ghc50,000 support to the President of SWAG, Kwabena Yeboah, and Secretary General, Charles Osei Asibey on Wednesday.
Out of the total amount, Dr Bawumia is donating Ghc10,000 each to winners of two award categories; the Female Footballer of the Year and the Sports Journalist of the Year, with the remaining Ghc30,000 going to SWAG to aid its organization.
Last year, Vice President Bawumia also supported the 46th SWAG Awards with Ghc50,000 and similarly presented Ghc10,000 Cedis each to the Female Footballer of the Year and the Sports Journalist of the Year.
Speaking at the 46th SWAG Awards as the Special Guest, Vice President Bawumia explained that his financial support towards the two special award categories is to encourage female footballers. On the Sports Journalist of the Year, the Vice President explained that his support is to encourage sports journalists to continue to make meaningful contributions to the development of sports in the country.
After receiving the support, the President of SWAG, Kwabena Yeboah, expressed the Association’s gratitude to Dr Bawumia for his support, once again.
The Vice President has often earned plaudits for his benevolent support to sports organisations, with beneficiaries including RTU, King Faisal, Hasaacas Ladies, Ampem Darkoa Ladies, SWAG, etc
The 47th MTN/Adamus SWAG Awards comes off at the Accra International Center on January 28, 2023.
Eastern Regional Free Senior High School Coordinator who is also the Abuakwa North Constituency NPP Research Nana Ofosu Asante Twum popularly called Nana OAT, has described Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is a blessing citizen of the country.
Speaking to Nana Kwasi Asare on Nopras 107.5 Fm “Adekye Mu Nsem” program, Nana Ofosu Asante Twum who is also the Elections Director and Member of the Eastern Regional NPP communications team, said, the Vice President and a renowned economist, has distinguished himself to the entire Ghanaian populace as a hard working Vice President and head of the Economic Management Team.
He continued that, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has been working tirelessly to ensure micro and macro economic stability of the country for socio-economic development.
Nana OAT added unlike other ceremonial Vice Presidents, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s exploits in the political landscape of the country is building a resilient economy for the republic to meet international standards.
Nana Ofosu Asante Twum further said, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia always has a second plan to economic policies when maiden policies are challenged with natural phenomenon.
According to him, the digitalization agenda by the Vice President has brought massive transformation in the country citing the convenience of renewing National Health Insurance on mobile phones and mobile money interoperability as examples.
The outspoken communicator, lauded the Vice President for the “oil for gold” policy of which he said, will reduce petroleum prices in the country thereby reducing inflation, a situation he called thinking outside the box.
Nana Ofosu Asante Twum then called on all Ghanaians to rally behind the Government for continuous economic development.
According to reports, the first batch of 41,000 metric tonnes of petroleum products of the Gold for Oil Policy by the government to stem the increasing depreciation of the cedi against the major currencies has arrived at the Tema Port and discharged into the receptacles of Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company (BOST).
Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia says the government will provide senior high school students with electronic tablets.
Dr Bawumia said “this game-changing development” is aimed at equipping the students with the relevant materials for their studies.
Speaking at this year’s New Year School at the University of Ghana, Legon on Tuesday, January 17, Dr Bawumia said added the move forms part of government’s digitisation agenda.
He disclosed that these tablets will have textbooks and past questions loaded onto them.
“This year, we are on course to provide all Senior High School students in Ghana with tablets which are loaded with textbooks on them for their studies.
That’s a very game-changing development. We will have past questions preloaded on these tablets that will be distributed,” the Vice President said.
Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia addressing the New Year School and Conference
Already, there are also plans to make free internet accessible to in both the second cycle and tertiary institutions to improve teaching and learning.
Government has said it has already awarded the contract for the first batch of Wi-Fi installations to begin in some second cycle and tertiary institutions as part of the project.
The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has announced plans by the government to distribute free electronic tablets to all Senior High School (SHS) students across the country.
Dr Bawumia says the move forms part of the government’s digitization agenda.
The tablet, according to the Vice President will serve as alternative textbooks for the students.
The Vice President was speaking at this year’s New Year School at the University of Ghana, Legon.
“This year, we are on course to provide all Senior High School students in Ghana with tablets which are loaded with textbooks on them for their studies. That’s a very game-changing development. We will have past questions preloaded on these tablets that will be distributed.”
There are also plans to make free internet access to Senior High Schools and Tertiary institutions to improve teaching and learning.
The government has said it has already awarded the contract for the first batch of Wi-Fi installations to begin in some second cycle and tertiary institutions as part of the project.
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has declared that the Ghana National Electronic Pharmacy Platform, also known as the e-Pharmacy platform, officially launches today across the country.
The Ghanaian public can easily upload and purchase prescription medications on the platform and have them delivered to their locations once they register on it using their Ghana card.
Ghana’s nationwide e-pharmacy platform is one of the few in the world and the first of its kind in any African nation.
Dr. Bawumia, who led the e-pharmacy initiative with stakeholders in the pharmaceutical industry after a successful six-month pilot, announced the initiative’s full operationalization on his Facebook page.
He expressed delight at the convenience it will bring to Ghanaians as well as its anticipated boost to the pharmaceutical industry.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) government has successfully implemented a number of digitalization initiatives over the previous six years, and the e-pharmacy platform is just one more.
Key among them are: the digital national identification system (Ghana card), national digital property address system, mobile money interoperability, universal QR Code, as well as digitisation of government services at the ports, registrar general, DVLA, passport application, and many others.
In the health sector, the e-pharmacy platform adds to the successful medical drone delivery service, which delivers essential drugs in real time through drones to remote parts of the country.
