Vice President and New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia addressed the growing concerns about unfulfilled promises during his tenure. The discussion took place on Sunday, August 25, at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra. When questioned about the lack of significant tax reforms, such as import duty reductions and tax amnesties, Dr. Bawumia provided a candid explanation of the constraints he faces in his current role.
As the Vice President, Dr. Bawumia acknowledged that his influence is limited within the scope of his position, a point he emphasized throughout the conversation. “The budget that has gone to Parliament, which has been passed, is not my budget. Is it my budget? It’s not my budget,” he stated. He further clarified that the budget is presented in the name of the President, not the Vice President. This distinction, he explained, is critical in understanding why certain manifesto promises remain unmet.
Dr. Bawumia also reflected on his aspirations for the presidency, where he believes he would have the necessary authority to implement the reforms he envisions. Drawing a comparison to former President John Mahama, Dr. Bawumia highlighted that even with full presidential power, Mahama could not fulfill all his promises during his term. “Even President Mahama, who was president—I’m only Vice President—but he was President. Why didn’t he do everything then? I mean, why is he coming back?” he questioned. This comparison served to underline the inherent differences between the roles of President and Vice President, with the latter being more constrained in terms of authority and influence.
The Vice President went on to explain that every candidate, including himself, must present new ideas and a fresh agenda for future governance. He noted that this is a common practice among vice-presidential candidates worldwide, who often have to balance their current responsibilities with their future aspirations. “When you have to think about what new you want to do, you come up with new ideas, and I’ve come up with new ideas which I want to do when we come into office,” Dr. Bawumia explained. These new ideas, he indicated, are part of his broader vision for the presidency, should he be elected in the upcoming December 7 election.
Throughout the discussion, Dr. Bawumia made it clear that his current proposals and manifesto commitments are designed for implementation in the event of his election as President. He sought to set a distinct boundary between his role as Vice President and his vision for the presidency, emphasizing that the unfulfilled promises in question should not be viewed as failures, but rather as plans for the future. In wrapping up, Dr. Bawumia reiterated his commitment to these proposals, expressing confidence that he would have the necessary authority to bring them to fruition if elected as President.
