Evron Rothschild Hughes, a presidential staffer and economic adviser to the Vice President, has urged Ghanaians to consider how each candidate plans to address both short-term challenges and the country’s long-term goals as the election approaches.
He emphasized that Ghana’s democracy must move beyond slogans to actionable solutions.
Hughes stressed that candidates must present clear policy platforms, rather than simply blaming opponents.
He questioned what each candidate offers on critical issues like expenditure control, exchange rate stability, taxation, cost of living, and youth employment.
“Which of the two candidates has, and is consistently putting himself out there on these issues, actively and passionately sharing his ideas, and by doing so, having these ideas challenged, debated, and tested?”
Evron Rothschild Hughes
Hughes further pointed out that Mahama struggles to present forward-thinking solutions, while Bawumia demonstrates readiness for the presidency.
He observed that Mahama, stuck in the past, lacks new ideas and resorts to bluster and insults to cover his shortcomings.
Young people, he noted, struggle to link Mahama with any concrete policy, and the confusion around his “24-Hour Economy slogan” only adds to the problem.
Hughes argued that this failure is widespread. “You will never find a single surrogate or advocate for Mahama discussing policy issues, or in great detail”.
He explained that Mahama and the NDC have no plan beyond winning the election by reiterating familiar problems and blaming others.
“Bawumia, on the other hand, is the polar opposite: he is forward-looking (Ghana’s foremost Digital Champion); full of new and exciting ideas that he actively and passionately puts forward; and has been nothing but accommodating to people who even disagree with his ideas”.
Evron Rothschild Hughes
Hughes noted that Bawumia plans to create 4 million jobs by fostering a business-friendly economy and providing problem-solving, selfless leadership with integrity.
Bawumia’s Plan: Spending Cuts and Local Business Boost
Moreover, Evron Rothschild Hughes stated that Bawumia plans to cut government spending by 3% of GDP while prioritizing private sector involvement in public infrastructure.
He also highlighted Bawumia’s “Buy Ghana First” policy, which would prioritize locally produced goods and services in public sector procurement.
This, Hughes explained, would boost Ghanaian businesses by ensuring a steady flow of projects and orders, leading to more job creation.
“Bawumia also plans to help create millions of jobs through a “Stimulus” program for businesses, and by stimulating household demand for goods and services produced locally. Bawumia proposes a Tax Amnesty with the following components: full tax forgiveness of prior years’ unpaid taxes, and full forgiveness of penalties and interest on prior years’ unpaid taxes.
“This, in effect, is a multi-prong Stimulus Programme for businesses to invest in expansion and create more jobs. Bawumia proposes to stimulate demand for goods and services, which will support business expansion and the creation of jobs…”
Evron Rothschild Hughes
Hughes also explained that Bawumia’s plan includes a “Tax Amnesty ‘Stimulus’ Program“, which forgives taxes, penalties, and interest, boosting disposable income and stimulating demand for goods and services.
Additionally, individualized credit scores would expand the market for consumption, allowing Ghanaians to pay over a longer period rather than upfront.
He also noted that extending credit to more consumers and implementing a Flat Tax system would increase demand, ease tax planning, and simplify tax administration, leaving households with more take-home pay. “This will boost demand for goods and services”.
According to the NPP stalwart, Bawumia proposes to revitalize and resource the Public Works Department (PWD).
He indicated that the Vice President will equip it with modern tools and state-of-the-art workshops, making it the primary government agency responsible for the maintenance of public infrastructure across the country.
Hughes further emphasized that significant resources would be allocated to recruiting and retaining skilled artisans such as carpenters, welders, masons, mechanics, electricians, and others.
This, he noted, will ensure a strong workforce to support the nation’s infrastructure development and maintenance needs.
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