The opposition National Democratic Congress Minority Caucus in Parliament has strongly criticized the Vice President and flagbearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia for failing to take responsibility during his address to announce his candidacy ahead of the December 7 polls.
The Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Ajumako Enyan-Essiam Constituency in the Central Region in a media briefing in Parliament on Thursday, February 8 2024 lashed out the Vice President for failing to demonstrate leadership as the head of the government Economic Management Team.
Dr Ato Forson reacting to the Vice President’s pledges to abolish a number of taxes when elected as the President of the country, strongly rebuked the Vice President of deceiving Ghanaians and argued that the Vice President possess a substantial economic power, as the chairman of the Economic Management Team, hence he could have remove such taxes at his discretion if he truly meant well for Ghanaians.
“There are also a number of policies and taxes that this Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government has imposed on the people of Ghana that Dr. Bawumia yesterday promised to abolish in the most unlikely event that he becomes President.
“Why should Ghanaians endure these regressive and insensitive taxes for one year before they are removed, in the unlikely case that Dr. Bawumia becomes president? Why can’t it be done now?”
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson
The Ajuamko Enyan Essiam legislator further accused the Vice President of being guilty of the bad economic policies of the New Patriotic Party administration led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo which has worsened the plight of millions of Ghanaians over the past seven years it has been in office.
According to Dr. Ato Forson, the Vice President chairs the deliberations on all economic policies of the current government making him a pivotal figure in shaping the economic policies of the country, hence he cannot extricate himself from the economic mess that his party and government has imposed on Ghanaians.
Furthermore, the Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson argued that the Vice President, Dr. Bawumia is a key member of the New Patriotic Party and President Akufo-Addo’s administration including being a member of President Akufo-Addo’s cabinet and doubled as the second commander-in-chief, and so therefore contribute significantly to the management and governance of the country, hence he is liable to all the sins of the government.
“How come Dr. Bawumia is now downplaying the role of the Economic Management Team and his chairmanship at a time when the full impact of the government’s bad economic policies is adversely impacting the people of Ghana and Ghanaians are facing excruciating hardships?
“Why is Dr. Bawumia running away from his role and making it look as though he has something new to offer the people of Ghana? “
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson
Moreover, the former Deputy Finance Minister under the erstwhile Mahama administration posited that since 2017, all economic policies implemented by President Akufo-Addo’s administration were under the direct supervision of the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
Dr Forson further contended that the above narrative underscores the significant impact and involvement of the vice president in steering the country’s economic course.
In addition, the Minority Leader stressed that Dr. Bawumia’s influence has even been further strengthened by his recent election as the flagbearer and leader of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), hence he does not have any excuse to demonstrate his leadership and economic prowess for the benefit of Ghanaians.
According to Dr Forson, the flagbearer role of the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia positions him at the forefront of the party’s decision-making processes, enhancing his overall political stature.
Dr Ato Forson, however argued that notwithstanding the enormous powers the Vice President possess under the New Patriotic Party administration he has failed to demonstrate any level of competence in the discharge of his duties and further admonished Ghanaians not to be flattered by the promises of the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.
Again, the Member of Parliament for Wa Central, Honorable Rashid Pelpuo commenting on the Vice President’s address also expressed shock about some of the policy reforms the Vice President proposed to implement when elected as the President of the country.
The Honorable Rashid Pelpuo also denounced claims suggesting that the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is not responsible for the shortcomings of the governing New Patriotic Party administration under President Akufo-Addo and further urged Ghanaians to reject the Vice President and the New Patriotic Party in the 2024 general elections.
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