Dr Bawumia’s vision receives positive reviews

The vision espoused by Vice-President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s in his major policy address, titled ‘Next Chapter,’ has garnered widespread praise from various quarters, including experts, industry associations, and professional bodies.

The comprehensive 70-point agenda outlined in the speech focuses on themes of efficiency, fiscal discipline, sustainable resource management, and measures to reduce living costs while promoting economic development.

Leaders from key industry associations have lauded specific proposals put forth by the New Patriotic Party Flagbearer expressing optimism about the potential impact on businesses and the economy.

AGI happy about VAT review

President of the Association of Ghana Industries, Dr. Humphrey Ayim-Darke, commended the proposal to streamline Value Added Tax (VAT) and other taxes, stating that it would alleviate burdensome tax structures and enhance competitiveness for businesses.

“This proposal makes us happy because it deals with some fundamental challenges we have complained about over the years.

“With this decision, businesses can breathe sighs of relief since the burdensome nature of our tax system is worrying us. We welcome this proposal.

“We have, over the period expressed concern about the VAT and we say in the case of the VAT, the imposition of the VAT structure has cascading effects, and it needs to be streamlined to make businesses competitive.

“We are only waiting for the measures he would adopt to implement them. They are feasible and we are happy about that,’’ Dr.  Ayim-Darke said.

GUTA welcome flat rate tax regime, flat rate duty

Similarly, the President of the Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA), Dr. Joseph Obeng, welcomed the emphasis on compliance as a tool for revenue collection, particularly in simplifying tax administration at ports.

He expressed enthusiasm for the prospect of adopting flat rate tax measures, particularly for duty payments on spare parts imports, which he believes will improve the competitiveness of Ghanaian.

 He sees this as going to simplify the collection system for which reason the New Patriotic Party (NPP) falgbearer is talking about flat rate.

He pointed out that Ghanaian traders, especially, importers, are not competitive because of the numerous bottlenecks in the tax administration at the ports.

Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association expresses joy 

The Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association also expressed appreciation for Dr. Bawumia’s proposal to implement a flat rate tax on spare parts imports.

In a statement, the Association commended the initiative as a significant step towards supporting spare parts dealerships nationwide, anticipating that it would reduce costs and benefit both commercial drivers and the commuting public.

The Association, which is dedicated to the development and enhancement of the spare parts dealership industry, pledged its full support for Dr. Bawumia’s proposal.

The Association expressed its eagerness for the timely implementation of this policy, contingent upon the NPP’s success in the upcoming elections.

The Association stressed the importance of rallying behind the introduction of the flat rate tax, stating that it would contribute to the growth and prosperity of the spare parts dealership industry and the broader economic landscape.

Notably, Professor Baffour Agyeman-Duah

Notably, Professor Baffour Agyeman-Duah, a former United Nations Senior Governance Advisor, urged for support and opportunity for Dr. Bawumia to prove himself as President of Ghana.

He emphasized the importance of candidates projecting a new vision to transform the economy and move towards greater independence.

He said given the condition of Ghana’s economy, it was expected that candidates would project a new vision to fundamentally change the economy and move Ghana away from a dependent economy to an independent or interdependent economy.

In the realm of education, the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) welcomed Dr. Bawumia’s proposal to make National Service optional if elected President.

NUGS hail NSS review

NUGS President, Daniel Oppong Kyeremeh, praised the potential benefits of such a policy, particularly in creating more job opportunities for graduates and allowing students to enter the job market immediately after graduation.

He indicated that, because National Service is compulsory, graduates miss juicy job opportunities.

Overall, the positive reception of Vice-President Bawumia’s ‘Next Chapter’ policy address reflects a hopeful outlook towards potential reforms and initiatives aimed at driving economic growth, enhancing competitiveness, and improving livelihoods across various sectors of Ghanaian society.