In a recent address delivered at the UPSA auditorium in Accra, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, made a resounding declaration: the Akufo-Addo administration has surpassed all previous governments in job creation over the past seven years.
Despite confronting formidable global economic headwinds, Vice President Bawumia proudly proclaimed the government’s achievement of generating an impressive 2.1 million jobs between 2017 and 2022. Among these noteworthy milestones were the recruitment of an additional 100,000 health workers, 100,000 teachers, and a significant surge in fire service personnel recruitment.
Dr. Bawumia hailed these strides as unparalleled in the annals of the nation’s history, asserting, “Our government has quite clearly created more jobs in a seven-year period than any government before it.” He underscored the magnitude of this accomplishment amidst challenging economic circumstances, while also acknowledging the imperative to maintain momentum and continue expanding job opportunities for Ghanaians.
Furthermore, Dr. Bawumia outlined a comprehensive array of policy initiatives slated for implementation should he be elected as President in the forthcoming December elections. These multifaceted initiatives encompassed bolstering the role of the private sector, enhancing fiscal and administrative decentralization, and optimizing institutional efficiency to curtail wastage and enhance service delivery.
A pivotal aspect of his proposed agenda involved elevating the involvement of the private sector in delivering public services. Dr. Bawumia anticipated that this strategic shift would generate fiscal space equivalent to 3% of GDP, thereby enabling greater flexibility in budgetary allocations. Additionally, he advocated for streamlining governance by minimizing the number of ministers to no more than 50, in a bid to enhance efficiency and accountability.
In a concerted effort to instill fiscal discipline and reduce budget deficits and interest rates, Dr. Bawumia proposed the establishment of an independent fiscal responsibility council. This council, enshrined in the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2018, would work towards ensuring that budgeted expenditure does not exceed 105% of the previous year’s tax revenue, thereby averting overreliance on optimistic revenue forecasts.
Under a prospective Bawumia-led administration, there would be a concerted drive to alleviate the fiscal burden on the government by harnessing the potential of the private sector. This strategic approach builds upon the successful implementation and expansion of initiatives like Free SHS and Free TVET during the tenure of the Akufo-Addo government.
“With all these social safety nets in place, my government will now focus on jobs and wealth creation by the private sector for all Ghanaians,” Dr. Bawumia affirmed. He emphasized the intention to incentivize private sector participation in infrastructure provision and service delivery, aiming to reduce government expenditure while enhancing maintenance and efficiency. The roadmap outlined by Dr. Bawumia offers a compelling vision for Ghana’s economic trajectory, promising a future marked by prosperity, opportunity, and sustainable growth.
