Churches will be incentivized not taxed under my tenure- Dr Bawumia

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has promised to provide incentives to churches instead of taxing them.

He said the churches had played a pivotal role in the country’s development efforts through the provision of educational infrastructure, health facilities and social amenities over the years, therefore, it would be prudent to incentivise them to do more rather than taxing them.

“You’re our domestic development partners and will give you incentives to do more,” Dr Bawumia said this during a meeting with religious leaders in the Bono East Region on Friday.

“We will rather want to give churches incentives to support what the government is doing. I want us to be partners, the way the development partners have been with us,” Dr Bawumia stressed.

“We should rather be paying them rather than they paying us…unless you don’t understand the work the church has done…if you’re looking at the buildings and keeping the society together…universities, hospitals, schools…it’s massive…it’s just massive…so, I don’t see a situation where we have to tax the churches,” Dr Bawumia stated amidst applause from the Clergy.

Some civil society organisations and social activists in the past have supported the call for Churches to be taxed since a lot of them are making money from their members through the collection of offerings and tithes, while others sell anointing oil, spiritual soaps, perfumes, and different items in the church.

Therefore, the Vice President’s stance has brought to rest a raging debate over whether churches should be taxed or not.

Dr Bawumia is on a nationwide campaign tour across all the 16 regions until the first week of June.

‘Bold Solutions for our Future,’ is the theme for his campaign, focusing on three key pillars: The battle of ideas and character, The battle of records and the battle of effective campaign.

The NPP Flagbearer and his campaign team are focusing on issue-based electioneering, tackling cogent, practical, and tailor-made ideas to deal with issues that are dear to the Ghanaian people.

He is meeting a wide range of stakeholders including traditional rulers, the Clergy, youth groups, traders, drivers, farmers, and students, and interact with businesses and associations.

He has been visiting market centres and other public places to listen to the concerns of both traders and consumers.

Dr Bawumia also engaged the media, held townhall meetings and continued with his regular stakeholder engagements with Ghanaians.

Since his election as the NPP Flagbearer on November 4, 2023, for the December 7 Election, Dr Bawumia had been regularly active in undertaking broad consultations and interactions with various groups across the country.

NDC party executive arrested for registering minors

Police in the Western Region have arrested the Mpohor Constituency Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Bernard Afful, for registering persons who are under the constitutionally required age of 18 in the ongoing limited voter registration exercise.
Afful, 59, was arrested together with Rojer Miller, a 33 years old proprietor of Voice of Christ Preparatory School in Mpohor, who assisted Afful in the nefarious activity.
The arrest comes after the Police in Mpohor received intelligence that the proprietor of the school had gone to register his son, one Gildolf Andoh, aged 16, and his colleagues in the ongoing Voter Registration Exercise at Mpohor.
Having registered the minors, the proprietor retained the voter ID Cards of the minors. The police, acting on the intelligence, proceeded to the school, where they arrested suspects Rojer Miller and Bernard Afful.
Upon searching the proprietor’s room, the Police found five voter ID Cards bearing the names of Gildolf Andoh, Christabel Obeng Damoah, Christiana Assan, Spend Love Nana Boah, and Edward Ntiakoh, all students of the Voice of Christ Preparatory School.
It was also found that all five minors registered by the NDC Secretary used the guarantor system which further raises questions about the efficacy of the guarantor system and why the party has insisted on its usage.
Afful and Miller, upon interrogation, admitted to having sent the five students to the registration center to be registered.
The suspects have therefore been detained to assist investigations while frantic efforts are being made to invite the five students and obtain their birth certificates to authenticate the veracity of their ages. The two have since been arraigned before the court for prosecution.
The actions of the NDC Constituency secretary have brought to light the sincerity of the opposition NDC in its frantic efforts to discredit the Electoral Commission (EC) and undermine the credibility of the election management body.
The NDC has been at odds with the EC since losing the 2016 general elections. In 2020, the party challenged the election results declared by the EC and boycotted the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC), a committee set up to bring together stakeholders in Ghana’s election processes.
The leadership of the NDC has used all available means to oppose the Electoral Commission’s attempts to abolish the guarantor system and stick to using the GhanaCard as the primary identification document for voter registration in the country.
Former Minority Leader and NDC Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale South in the Northern Region, Haruna Iddrisu, stated last year that the party would resist any attempt by the Commission to scrap the guarantor system as a requirement for voter registration exercises.
When the EC submitted amendments to the law guiding the conduct of elections to make the Ghana Card the only primary identification document for registering for the Voter ID card, the NDC minority frustrated the process and prevented the passage of the amendment into law.

Bawumia to tour Bono, Ahafo regions May 8

The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, is set to continue his campaign tour on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, visiting the Ahafo, Bono, and Bono East Regions.

Previously, Dr Bawumia visited Eastern, Western, and Western North regions delivering hopeful messages to the citizens of Ghana and seeking their support in the upcoming December 2024 general elections.

A statement released on May 5, and signed by Dennis Miracles Aboagye, the Director of Communications for the Bawumia Campaign Team, highlighted that Dr. Bawumia will share his vision for the mining sector.

“As part of his campaign tour to the Ahafo, Bono and the Bono East Regions, Dr Bawumia will be providing a deeper insight into his vision for the mining sector at a Transformational Dialogue organized by the University of Energy and Natural Resources on Wednesday 8th May 2024.

“On Thursday 9th May 2024, he will be addressing the Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa on the interlinkages of digitalization & corruption in Governance.”

The Bawumia Campaign Team urged Ghanaians to continue supporting Dr Bawumia as he reveals “Bold Solutions for the next chapter of Ghana’s development.”

The team affirmed that Dr. Bawumia remains dedicated to fulfilling his promises when he assumes the presidency.

Free tertiary education for all PWDs under Bawumia

The Vice-President and NPP Flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has pledged to eliminate residential and tuition fees for all Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) attending tertiary institutions,  if elected President in the upcoming general elections.

Dr. Bawumia made the pledge during his Western regional campaign tour, while addressing the Western Regional House of Chiefs.

According to the 2021 Ghana Population and Housing Census report, persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Ghana constituted about 8% (2,098,138) of the country’s population of 30,832,019, a significant statistics from which qualified persons could access this policy.

Dr. Bawumia said by reallocating some funds from the Scholarship Secretariat and the Ghana Education Trust Fund, it would ensure that financial barriers do not hinder the academic pursuits of persons with disabilities.

“I believe that we have to support Persons with Disabilities a bit more… I want us to dedicate some of the monies from the Scholarship secretariat and the GetFund to provide free tertiary education, covering tuition and accommodation, to all persons with disabilities who enroll into universities,” he stated.

According to him, the benefits of this policy would be manifold. Apart from removing the financial burden for persons with disabilities and their families, he mentioned, it would  allow the PWDs to pursue higher education without worrying about cost.

He added that it would also promote diversity and representation within tertiary institutions, enriching the academic environment and fostering greater understanding and acceptance of disability issues.

Dr. Bawumia said the initiative aligns with broader efforts to promote social justice and equity, enhancing Ghana’s standing as a champion of inclusive education policies.

Meanwhile, Dr Bawumia has also unveiled plans to deepen  the involvement of traditional leaders in mining licensing regimes. He stressed that the proposed move aims to involve traditional rulers in the mineral licensing process, ensuring their participation before any mining activities commence in a specific area.

The Vice- President highlighted the importance of chiefs in the decision-making process concerning mineral resources and their impact on local communities.

Dr Bawumia said the policy seeks to incorporate chiefs into his broader mining industry formalisation programme, in recognition of their influence and important role at the local level.

The proposal, Dr. Bawumia maintained,  would help streamline the mining sector,  and ensure that chiefs play a significant role in the licensing of miners.

He pointed out that involving chiefs in the mineral licensing process would foster greater collaboration among the government, mining companies, and local communities.

He also emphasised the need for a more inclusive approach that considers the interests of all stakeholders, particularly chiefs, who, he noted, represent their communities’ interests.

Ntim pledges to resolve NPP internal wrangling

The National Chairman of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Stephen Ayesu Ntim, has reaffirmed his commitment to addressing internal party conflicts as the party prepares for the December polls.

Recent events, particularly disputes leading to some party members running as independent candidates ahead of the 2024 parliamentary elections, have caused dissatisfaction among party members.

Speaking at a rally in Ejisu, Mr. Ntim assured supporters that decisive steps would be taken to resolve such issues in the interest of party unity.

“I do not want issues of independent candidature to plague our party,” Mr Ntim stated, as he wooed the electorate to vote for the NPP’s Kwabena Boateng in today’s by-election at Ejisu.

“And it is obvious that such individuals are closest members of our great party. But I can assure you that when Kwabena Boateng is elected MP for Ejisu, our national leadership will ensure that all internal issues in the various constituencies will be resolved,” he added.

For his part, President Akufo-Addo, who joined the campaign trail, called out former NPP MP turned independent candidate, Kwabena Owusu Aduomi, refuting the latter’s accusations of rigging ahead of the Ejisu by-election.

Addressing the charged crowd, President Akufo-Addo expressed indifference towards Aduomi’s departure from the party, urging the Ejisu electorate to dismiss his claims of electoral manipulation.

He further questioned the fairness of Aduomi’s rigging allegations, given his prior victories under the NPP banner.

“In 2008, when he defeated the incumbent MP, who was even a Cabinet Minister, did the NPP rig the elections for him? So why does he now allege that we will rig the elections just because he has been defeated by someone else? Is this fair?” he asked.

The President also raised concerns about hidden influences on the independent candidate’s campaign, implying the interference of undisclosed entities aiming to wrestle the seat from the NPP.

“We oppose any independent candidate whose background is unknown to us. We’re uncertain if influential figures are influencing their decisions. We refuse to accept this. It’s not something we’ll tolerate,” he stated.

Source: dailystatesman.com.gh

Bawumia assures impactful leadership

The Vice-President and NPP Flagbearer, Mahamudu Bawumia, has reaffirmed his determination to become the most impactful President in Ghana’s history, should he be given the opportunity.

Speaking at the Koforidua Cultural Centre during the launch of his month-long campaign yesterday, Dr Bawumia highlighted his tenure as Vice-President as evidence of his capability to lead the nation towards progress.

The Vice-President emphasised his qualifications, track record and vision for the country as distinguishing factors setting him apart as the superior candidate for the presidency.

He assured the electorate that he has a solid vision to propel the development of the country to the next level.

Outlining his vision for the youth, he stressed the need for a leader capable of tackling key issues affecting them, such as unemployment, improving quality of life, enhancing access to quality education, reducing the cost of internet data, increasing life expectancy and creating equal opportunities for all, irrespective of socio-economic background.

 

“I am a problem solver and a forward-thinking individual with innovative ideas to address these challenges… I have a solid track record as Vice-President to back it up,” he stated.

Dr. Bawumia bemoaned the trend of Ghanaian youth migrating to Europe, America and Asia in search of employment opportunities. He attributed this phenomenon to the perception that developed countries offer more job prospects.

He noted that many jobs in developed nations are driven by the private sector, which ensures sustainability as they are not reliant on government funding, unlike in developing countries where government-created jobs are limited by state finances.

He, therefore, pledged to harness the potential of the private sector to generate sustainable employment opportunities for the youth. He stressed that resolving fundamental issues would be crucial for this endeavour.

Dr. Bawumia cited initiatives undertaken by the NPP government, including the implementation of a national identification system with the GhanaCard and the digital address system, which facilitate business expansion and improve access to customers.

He underscored the importance of mobile money interoperability positioning Ghana as a leader in financial inclusion in Africa.

He expressed confidence that with these foundational pillars in place and the introduction of an individualized credit scoring system, access to credit will be enhanced, thereby reducing costs and improving accessibility.

Dr. Bawumia highlighted the achievements of the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo administration in youth employment, health and education.

He reassured the youth of his mindset of possibilities and ambition. He outlined his plans, including formalizing the informal sector through digitization, enhancing technical and vocational education and training (TVET) and building capacity in skills training centers across all regions.

“I am always striving to accomplish what many deem impossible. When I commit to achieving these seemingly insurmountable tasks, those who doubt call me names. However, I believe in the creativity and ingenuity of Ghanaian youth, and I firmly believe that, given the right environment, they can conquer the world,” he said.

Voting for Aduomi is a vote for NDC – Bawumia

The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has called on constituents in Ejisu to prioritise continuity and progress by casting their votes for Kwabena Boateng.

He also warned against splitting votes among independent candidates, suggesting that such actions could inadvertently benefit the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and its leader, John Mahama.

Addressing the electorate at a final campaign rally ahead of the Ejisu by-election on April 30th, Bawumia emphasised the significance of party loyalty and unity, cautioning against not supporting the NPP candidate.

He underscored the slim margin in parliament, with the NPP holding 138 seats against the NDC’s 137, highlighting the importance of every vote in securing a stronger mandate for the ruling party.

“The NPP government has improved the lives and the people of Ejisu than the NDC. Nothing really worked during the NDC era…MPs don’t sponsor projects; they lobby for projects from the government in power. In parliament, the NPP has 138 including the independent candidate while NDC has 137. And so, a vote for an independent means handing over power to NDC and John Mahama.

“And so that is why the NDC did not field a candidate for this by-election, they are sponsoring the independent candidate”, he said, adding “Let’s all come out in our numbers on election day and vote massively for Lawyer Kwabena Boateng to continue the late John Kumah’s work.”

‘Dumsor’ crisis will be over soon – Bawumia

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has assured that the ongoing erratic power supply, commonly referred to as ‘dumsor’, will soon be resolved.

Speaking to the Clergy and Imams in Akropong on Monday, April 29, during his campaign tour of the Eastern Region, Dr. Bawumia expressed confidence in the government’s efforts to tackle the issue.

“I know there are challenges and I don’t want to paper over economic challenges. We are going to work on them. Currently, we have issues with power but I say that from the information I have received from the minister for energy, those power challenges will very soon, and I mean very soon be a thing of the past,” the vice president said.

The state power distributor, Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has come under criticism from businesses, groups and individuals, for the recent erratic power supply.  

The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) is the latest group to call on the ECG for a load-shedding timetable that will guide their operations. 

The state power distributor has maintained that the current challenge does not require a load-shedding timetable. 

Source: citinewsroom.com

Bawumia begins nationwide campaign

The Vice-President and NPP Flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, will today, April 29, 2024, begin a nationwide campaign to present what he has termed “Bold Solutions for our Future” to the electorate.

A statement signed and released by the Director of Communication for the “Bawumia Campaign,” Dennis Miracles Aboagye, said the nationwide campaign tour will commence in the Eastern Region and extend to the remaining 15 regions over the next one month for the first round.

“The 2024 Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia will officially kick off his presidential campaign for the December 7 general elections with his first nationwide tour from Monday, 29 April 2024. Dr Bawumia and his campaign team are promising an issue-based campaign, one that will focus on cogent, practical, and tailor-made ideas to deal with issues that are most dear to the Ghanaian people,” the statement stressed.

The statement noted that beginning in the Eastern Region, Dr. Bawumia and his campaign team will meet with a wide range of stakeholders, including traditional leaders, the clergy, the youth, traders, drivers, farmers, and students, and visit businesses, including marketplaces, to interact with both traders and consumers.

Per the statement, Dr Bawumia would also engage the media, hold town hall meetings, and continue with his regular stakeholder engagements with the electorate.

“Long before his election on November 4, 2023, and since then, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has been very active in undertaking broad consultations and interactions with various groups across the country. Apart from fulfilling his busy schedule as Ghana’s most active ever Vice President, the 2024 NPP Presidential Candidate and the Party leadership have utilized these recent months to put the structures, personnel, logistics, and programmes in place to embark on a very comprehensive, inclusive, constructive, and impactful presidential and parliamentary campaign.

“As we enter the active phase of the 2024 election campaigning, Dr. Bawumia is buoyed up by the strong backing from our party’s grassroots and the growing enthusiasm and confidence resonating throughout the entire party. This burgeoning energy signifies our preparedness for the activities that lie ahead in the upcoming contest”, the statement stressed.

In the statement, Dennis Miracle indicated that the Bawumia Campaign team will approach its work with a three-point agenda as it engages the people to ask for their vote in the 7 December 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections.

According to statement, first is “The Battle of Ideas and Character”; second, “The Battle of Records”; and third, “The Battle of Effective Campaigning.”

The statement noted that as Ghana moves into the next phase of its development, it is more important than ever to elect a leader that holds himself to the highest standards, a man of character, performance, work ethic, vision, programmes, wisdom, decisiveness, self-discipline, integrity, and a very high credibility.

“It’s indisputable that in this regard, Dr. Bawumia emerges as the most formidable candidate. Dr Bawumia has shown in these eight years that he has more integrity, discipline, focus, ideas, and solutions than his main opponent showed in his 8 years as Vice President and President,” it indicated.

The statement stressed that Dr. Bawumia had proven to be solutions-oriented and remains committed to finding more solutions to Ghana’s challenges if giving the nod as President in the December 2024 elections.

The statement indicated that there was no denying that there had been global economic challenges, saying “as a party, we recognize the hardship that this global tragedy has presented to all Ghanaians and the world at large”.

It, however, highlighted the many achievements of the NPP government in these seven years in constituencies and communities and to not allow anyone to rewrite the history of the previous NDC government.

It added that “while we are confident, we don’t have to rely on confidence alone; the numbers clearly show that the NPP government has consistently outperformed the NDC government and that it has done so despite historically unmatched global challenges. As we remind the public of our accomplishments, we clearly understand 2024 is more about the future of our country, and the vision Dr. Bawumia has for her.”

It added that “as we set out to campaign for the presidency and the future of this country, we stand united and energized on a common platform. It cannot be overstated how determined and hardworking our 276 parliamentary candidates and all our campaign teams, especially the Electoral Area and Polling Station campaign teams, are. We rely on them; we stand on their shoulders as we rise together.”

“This party was built on the very idea of unity, and unity is what bonds us together as we build a future of possibilities for Mother Ghana. The big issue for 2024 comes down to the two personalities. Which of the two main candidates will Ghanaians want as their next leader after 2024?

“The one who was given his chance and blew it through his incompetence or the one who has shown what he can do even as a Vice President and is now asking to also be allowed to show what he can do as President? We are daring the main opposition party to come to a debate on the two personalities,” it added.

In the statement, Dennis Miracles Aboagye added that the NPP presidential candidate and his campaign team “invites the Ghanaian voter to focus on the credibility and weight of the policies of each of the two foremost presidential candidates –Bawumia and Mahama.”

“In the next few months, the Bawumia campaign will humbly but decisively address all major issues facing our nation and how, with the current positive turnaround, he intends to consolidate the gains and tackle the outstanding issues head-on if given the mandate in December,” it said.

According to statement, he will also be asking the crucial questions: “Which of the two main candidates is saying anything for the sake of power and who is really plugged into what will deepen the transformation of Ghana?

“Who is equipped to address the employment needs of our young people, and make our private sector more competitive and profitable going into the future?

“Which of the two main candidates can guarantee the education of our children and the health of our parents?

“These and many more questions will be asked and answered by our candidate, as he asks the Ghanaian people to elect him to the highest office in the land. The maiden national campaign tour, which runs till the first week of June, will have Dr Bawumia showcasing his innovative ideas for Ghanaians,” the statement added.

Bawumia deepens diplomatic ties with Vatican

The Vice-President and NPP Flagbearer, Mahamudu Bawumia, yesterday visited the Vatican, where he was warmly received by Pope Francis, as part of his working visit to the Republic of Italy and the Vatican State.

The visit was aimed at strengthening Ghana’s commitment with the global community and fostering diplomatic relations on an international scale.

The historic encounter took place in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall, where Dr. Bawumia had the distinct honour of meeting with Pope Francis. Accompanied by the Second Lady, Hajia Samira Bawumia, and other government officials, Dr. Bawumia’s visit to the Vatican symbolised Ghana’s dedication to engaging with global leaders on matters of mutual importance.

During their meeting, discussions between Dr. Bawumia and Pope Francis centered on strengthening diplomatic relations between Ghana and the Vatican.

Key areas of focus during the meeting included the political and socio-economic landscape of Ghana, with particular attention given to collaboration in fields such as education and healthcare.

According to a statement issued by the Holy See Press Office, Dr. Bawumia was received in the “auletta,” or small study, of the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall.

After his encounter with the Pope, Dr. Bawumia met with the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher.

According to the statement, the talks at the Secretariat of State were “cordial” and highlighted “the good relations between the Holy See and Ghana.”

In the course of the conversation, it added, there also was an exchange of views on current international issues, especially on security problems facing West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea.