John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has outlined an ambitious plan for his first 120 days if elected in the 2024 elections.
His promises aim to create a lean and efficient government, address economic issues, and implement significant social interventions.
Key Promises:
Government Formation and Standards
Nominate a complete list of Cabinet Ministers within the first 14 days for parliamentary approval.
Constitute the leanest and most efficient government under the Fourth Republic within the first 90 days.
Establish a robust code of conduct and standards for all government officials.
Economic Initiatives
Hold a National Economic Dialogue to discuss the economy’s true state and prepare a homegrown fiscal consolidation program.
Scrap several taxes within the first 90 days, including the E-levy, COVID levy, 10% levy on bet winnings, and Emissions levy.
Review taxes and levies on vehicles and equipment imported for industrial and agricultural purposes.
Draft legal amendments and prepare for implementing the 24-Hour Economy Policy.
Establish an Accelerated Export Development Council (AEDC) to promote exports.
Social Interventions
Convene a national consultative conference on education to build consensus on necessary sector improvements.
Implement a ‘No-Academic-Fee’ policy for first-year students in public tertiary institutions.
Introduce Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities.
Launch the Ghana Medical Care Trust (Mahama Cares) Fund.
Distribute free sanitary pads to female students in primary and secondary schools.
Accountability and Anti-Corruption Measures
Conduct inquiries and forensic audits into matters of public interest, including the collapse of banks, illegal printing of money, and several scandals involving government funds.
Ban political appointees from purchasing state assets.
Launch priority job creation programs, including the ‘Adwumawura’ Programme, ‘National Apprenticeship Programme,’ and ‘One Million Coders Programme.’
Review the Customs (Amendment) Act 2020 to support the local automotive industry.
Propose a bill to streamline government scholarship administration and eliminate corruption in awarding scholarships.
Environmental and Security Reforms
Ban illegal mining in forest reserves and launch initiatives to restore degraded areas.
Re-open investigations into unresolved criminal cases, including the 2020 election killings and other high-profile murders.
Initiate a probe into the man-made disaster caused by the VRA’s spillage from the Akosombo and Kpong Dams, with steps to compensate affected victims.
Reform loss-making state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to ensure profitability and efficiency.
Source:expressnewsghana.com