Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has provided data to back his claim about the 2 million jobs created. Dr. Bawumia over the weekend when speaking about youth employment and opportunities during the national Eid-ul-Fitr Fitr celebration at Independence Square made mention of job created by his government. In a Facebook post on Wednesday while demonstrating why he is one of the credible and most effective vice president in Ghana, Dr. Bawumia provided facts and comprehensive data to back his claims. The post which contained the Ministry, the organisation or department of the Ministry, and the total number of employment created from 2017 to 2022 under each category was somewhat aimed at his critiques and naysayers. Below is the Facebook post with and image of the data: “Dear friends, I recently stated that our government has created over 2 million jobs since 2017. As usual, the naysayers have questioned how we could have done so. Their mindset of impossibility prevents them from accepting that. Well, the data attached shows year by year, ministry by ministry, and agency by agency, the jobs that our government has created since 2017. This excludes jobs under planting for food and jobs and the National Identification Authority. Away with negative thinking! It is possible!”
E-Zwich is a revolutionary payment system that has transformed the way Ghanaians carry out financial transactions. This innovative platform was introduced to Ghana in 2008, and it has since become a crucial component in the country’s financial landscape. The brain behind the introduction of E-Zwich in Ghana is none other than Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, a man of vision.
Dr. Bawumia is an economist and a banker by profession, with vast experience in both fields. He served as the Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana from 2006 to 2009, where he championed the adoption of new payment systems to improve financial inclusion in the country. During his tenure, he introduced several innovative initiatives, including the E-zwich payment system, which has had a significant impact on the country’s financial system.
The concept of implementing an electronic payment system in Ghana was not novel, as previous attempts to launch similar programmes had failed. However, these efforts were not effective owing to a lack of infrastructure and the expensive cost of implementation. Dr. Bawumia recognised the need for a fresh approach to make electronic payments a reality in Ghana.
The introduction of E-Zwich was part of an extensive financial inclusion agenda that aimed to promote access to financial services for all Ghanaians. Before the introduction of E-Zwich, the financial landscape in Ghana was dominated by traditional banking institutions that served only a small percentage of the population. Most Ghanaians, particularly those in rural areas had limited access to financial services, which hindered their ability to participate fully in the country’s economy.
E-Zwich was designed to bridge this gap by providing a reliable and accessible payment system for all Ghanaians. The platform allows users to access their funds using biometric identification, which ensures that only the rightful owner can access their account. This feature has made it easier for Ghanaians to access financial services, particularly those who lack formal identification documents.
The feat of E-Zwich in Ghana has been phenomenal, with over 2.7 million Ghanaians registered on the platform as of 2021. The system has been used to disburse government social intervention funds, as well as the LEAP and NHIS payments, and has also been used to pay salaries for public sector workers, including NSS personnel.
In conclusion, the introduction of E-Zwich in Ghana by a Bawumia led team has had momentous impact on the country’s financial system, a testament to him being one of the competent politician in Ghana. The platform has provided access to financial services for millions of Ghanaians and has transformed the way financial transactions are carried out in the country, also, it has aided in advancing financial inclusion, lowering financial crime rates, and expanding access to financial services. It is a proof to the supremacy of innovation and the significance of financial inclusion in promoting economic growth and development.
Michael Omari Wadie, a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has said the Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is the choice of the party.
He said the support the Vice President has within the NPP extends to the majority of Ghanaians.
Speaking on Accra FM, he said the 2024 elections will be between the competent one which is Dr. Bawumia and the incompetent one which is John Mahama.
“It is going to be a contest between the Vice President, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia, who is ‘The Competent One’ and former President John Dramani Mahama, who is also ‘The Incompetent One’,” he explained.
He said Dr Bawumia is NPP’s surest bet for victory as the majority of the party’s support base is clamouring for his appearance on the ballot paper as the flagbearer.
“I have been to all 270 constituencies across [the country] and the chorus is: ‘Let Dr Bawumia come and we will come out in our numbers to vote for him and the party to break the eight-year political jinx’,” he said.
In his view, while Dr Bawumia is incorruptible, the same cannot be said of Mr Mahama.
The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joe Osei-Owusu said majority of the members in parliament support Dr. Bawumia.
Speaking in an Oyerepa TV interview, Joseph Osei-Owusu, who is affectionately called Joewise, said that he is one of the over 100 MPs who are supporting the presidential bid of Dr Bawumia.
“Most of the NPP MPs at the last count were about 118 MPs and I am one of them. I speak for myself and my support for Bawumia, and I know over 100 NPP MPs also support Bawumia,” he told the morning show host of Kumasi-based Oyerepa TV, Kwesi Parker-Wilson.
He added that declaring his support for Bawumia does not violate the party’s order against active campaigning because most of the presidential candidates themselves have started campaigning.
Come November 4, 2023, will be that time in the life of every Patriot of the Elephant family to make a decision that will somewhat make or break the party. Of course, the fortune of every patriot is dependent on the candidate we present for the general elections come December 2024.
Loyalty won’t be taken for granted when accessing the right candidate to lead the party. Alan Kyeremanten over the years has shown enough of his disloyalty to persons who gave him a shoulder to stand on when it mattered most.
It is a no-brainer that Alan Kyerematen rose to the political and national limelight due to the benevolence of President Kufour.
President Kufuor first appointed Alan Kyerematen as Ghana’s ambassador to the US in 2001 and then as a Minister of Trade and Industry until he resigned to contest as NPP flag bearer in 2007.
Those of us who were active in government and party saw how President Kufuor gave his huge shoulders for Alan Kyerematen to stand on. Alan became so powerful that he could appoint, transfer or remove appointees at will.
Former Trade Minister
Alan Kyeremayen was seen engaging in an opulence campaign. Sharing money both GhanaCedis and US dollars all over, hence the name Alan Cash.
Alan Kyerematen was abusing his power by flying Presidential jets and military helicopters to go and meet with delegates.
Unfortunately, Alan Kyerematen lost the Presidential primaries to Nana Akufo Addo.
Since then, Alan Kyerematen has consistently exhibited his disloyalty, self-seeking and ingratitude traits toward President Kufuor.
Alan Kyerematen has over the years boasted to close circles that he does not owe any loyalty to President Kufour. According to Alan, President Kufuor smartly tilted toward him at the end when he saw that Alan was the obvious choice to succeed him.
Alan Kyerematen gets furious when he is described as a protege of President Kufuor.
This is the reason why Alan never visited President Kufuor after the latter left power. Alan as a Trade Minister who never visited President Kufuor privately at his residence except showing up during birthdays to take pictures.
Alan never visited President Kufuor until it occurred to him that he will be contesting another Presidential primary and needed to create an impression in the eyes of his supporters.
Why is Alan Kyerematen trying hard to take cover from President Kufuor now that things are getting more difficult for him?
It is not surprising that President Kufuor has never publicly or privately said anything good about Alan.
Ghana’s Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has completely transformed the role of the Vice President, establishing himself as the most transformational holder of his position in the history of Ghana’s democratic dispensation.
Whilst many Veeps have come and gone without affecting any change from the position, Dr Bawumia has completely ushered in a new era of the can-do Veep – spearheading multiple transformational government projects that clearly have his stamp.
The result is a track record of achievement for the current Vice President that no Vice President – and even many Presidents – in the history of Ghana would struggle to match.
This stunning impact from the Veep has not gone unnoticed, with many political pundits and strategists remarking on how uncommon it is for a Vice President to wield such power and influence.
In a recent op-ed, a United States-based Ghanaian political consultant, Dr Ekow Acquah, noted how Bawumia is a rare political unicorn in being an impactful Vice President, not just in Ghana but in the entire world.
“Even in the United States, which is widely considered the world’s most advanced democracy, the role of a Vice President, as defined by the American Constitution, is extremely limited.,” Dr Acquah wrote.
Meanwhile, he added, Vice Presidents in the 4th Republic have played “limited roles…largely as a result of their limited and undefined roles by the 1992 Constitution,”
Dr Acquah continued: “Unlike his predecessors, who limited themselves to their constitutional roles, and merely acted as representatives of the President at meetings and festivals, Dr. Bawumia has made the position more relevant through his foresight and spearheaded many transformational policies, which have not only endeared the NPP Government to the public, but are also making meaningful impacts and transformation on the Ghanaian people,”
Whilst Bawumia has a calling card – digitisation is his bread and butter – the Vice President’s achievements are broad-based, spanning multiple sectors and impacting all.
Transformational Policies, Services and Projects Championed By Dr. Bawumia
In his brilliant op-ed titled, ‘Dr Mahamudu Bawumia: The most effective Vice President in Ghana’s History’, the aforementioned Dr Acquah provides a list of Dr Bawumia’s most impressive achievements as a Vice President.
They include….
*Zipline Drones for delivery of medical supplies (Omenako, Mpanya, Vobsi, Sefwi Wiawso, Anum, and Kete Krachi), which has made Ghana the country with the the largest medical drone delivery service in the world!
*Mobile Money Interoperability between bank accounts and mobile wallets – first in Africa. This has made Ghana rank first in Africa in terms of access to financial inclusion.
• Zongo Development Fund – a development vehicle for inclusive Zongo development.
• Nation Builders Corps (NABCO) – a stop-gap measure to respond to increasing graduate unemployment, and also to offer young graduates work experience.
• One Constituency One Ambulance, the policy which provided all 275 constituencies with brand new ambulances.
• Agenda 111 – the construction of district hospitals in districts without district hospitals.
• Digitization of National Identity Card (Ghanacard), which is building a strong national identity system
– Universal QR Code payment system- Ghana is the first and only country in Africa to implement this
– GhanaPay mobile wallet by banks- Ghana is the first country in the world to implement this.
o National Digital Property – Address System -First in Africa
o Paperless Ports, which has increased efficiency and revenue mobilisation.
o The Ghanacard as a travel document to travel to Ghana
*No Guarantor student loans
*Online Passport Application
*National E-Pharmacy Platform. Ghana is the first country in Africa to implement a national scale digital e-pharmacy platform.
o E-Ticketing at Football Stadia
o Ghana.Gov Platform for the delivery of Government services
Bank of Ghana Gold Purchase Program
exchange of Gold for oil imports program – a transformational policy which will impact on prices of oil products, foreign exchange reserves and the depreciation of the exchange rate.
*Also proposed Sinohydro barter agreement for infrastructure development. This has resulted in the following; o Kumasi Innercity Roads (100km) o Sunyani Innercity Roads o Prestea Innercity Roads o Nyinahin Roads o Jasikan-Dodopepesu o Tamale Interchange o Takoradi Point 7 interchange o Cape Coast Innercity roads
This a resume a President should be proud of. For a Vice President, it is an unprecedented sign of competence and efficiency.
As the world and consequently Ghana reels from massive shocks caused by the unprecedented conditions of the past couple of years, bold and visionary leaders find new ways to create an impact and Bawumia is doing just that in Ghana.
Little wonder then that he was recently adjudged one of the 100 most influential leaders in Africa. As a Vice President, he achieved that honour, rubbing shoulders with celebrated African Presidents such as William Ruto of Kenya and Macky Sall of Senegal.
That, on its own, demonstrates the rarity of Bawumia’s exceptional leadership.
The Ghanaian economy under the watch of the Economic Management Team (EMT) led by H E the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has suffered denigrations from critics and some concerned Ghanaians owing to the economic mishap in recent times.
It was obvious and no fluke that the situation was not internally bred as affirmed by the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva, however, external factors played a major role, a fact critics always denied. Amidst the mishaps, the cedi in no time lost its value in the sight of the US dollar, to even make matters worse, the cedi lost half of its value and it took up the last spot on the charts. A dollar at a point sold at 15 cedis. The exchange rate became a topic and trended across all social media networks weeks after weeks. Renowned media personalities also jumped on the matter in solidarity of the wailing Ghanaian. This I believe was a calculated attempt to score cheap political points. Instead of calming angry Ghanaians down, they were rather instigating citizens against the handlers of the economy.
Fast forward, according to a report by Bloomberg, the cedi has been the best performing currency for the past week, a fad that practically every levelheaded Ghanaian found appealing. It would have only been fair for these same media personalities to applaud the EMT but for their selfish interests they are reluctant. According to the Bank of Ghana Exchange Rates as at Wednesday, 14th December, 2022, the dollar is selling at 10.4052 while buyers can have it for 10.3948. I’m now convinced President Akuffo Addo was right when he said ‘they did not know how to bring back lives but know how to bring back the economy’. The messiah is really up to task and the cedi is alive, indeed there’s Hope.
Awudu Mahama, editor of the Custodian Newspaper, has noted that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, vice president of Ghana, is roundly condemned by many Ghanaians, especially the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), who blame him for the party’s defeat.
He contends that the attacks leveled against the nation’s vice president are unjustified and excessive because they are not based on his functions and accomplishments in that capacity but rather on his political affiliation. In an interview with Samuel Eshun on the Happy Morning Show, he stated that the NDC party has struggled to retain running mates from the North throughout the years, and so are dissatisfied with Bawumia’s tenure with the NPP.
“I can understand why the NDC and those aligned with the opposition will be constantly attacking Vice President Bawumia even though he’s not the President. Because by and large, they believe being the running mate of President Akufo-Addo since 2008 has caused some defeats or more harm to them,” he said.
“This is the man President Akufo-Addo has had confidence in him, maintaining him three consecutive elections as running mate until they won and he’s done so much harm to the NDC caused their defeat and you’ll understand why they hate him that much.
H.E Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia
“When you look at the NDC and their running mates over the period, they’ve been changed. In 2000 NDC brought Martin Amidu and was changed because they felt he wasn’t good enough for the next election and brought Muhammad Mumuni in 2004.
“He was also changed because they felt he was also not good enough. In 2008 they brought John Mahama that’s the third person form the north and fortunately they won,” he added. Mr. Mahama added that despite the Vice President being accused of corruption, Bawumia’s integrity has been supported by nonpartisan organisations in Ghana.
Kennedy Agyapong, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central, has received criticism from Mohammed A. Baantima Samba, the Northern Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), for his attack on Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. Because of the vice president’s significance to the NPP, according to Baantima Samba, the MP does not deserve to criticise him.
He claimed that Dr. Bawumia was instrumental in the NPP’s triumph in the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections and deserves recognition for his hard effort. “I strongly condemn his unprovoked attacks on the vice president whose efforts and sacrifices contributed hugely to returning the NPP twice into office, with its attendant benefits to Kennedy, myself and many party people across the country.
“If his likes would not honour the vice president for his work for our party, they should not be attacking him unprovoked,” he said.
“For a man seeking to lead a noble party like the NPP, Kennedy’s conduct and pronouncements must mirror what the NPP is noted for: respect, decorum, dignity, and civility in speech,” he added. The Assin Central MP criticized Dr. Bawumia for the nation’s economic difficulty, especially the depreciation of the Ghana cedi, which he claimed cost him a lot of money. The vice president, he said, shouldn’t be the one leading the NPP into the 2024 elections due to the economy’s dismal performance and his prior utterances.
“When your fundamentals are weak, the exchange rate will expose you. When you were making that statement, the exchange rate was GH¢4.20p. On Friday, it was GH¢15.00 to a dollar.
“What message do you want to give to Ghanaians again? Let me tell you; I’m telling you this straight; I’m saying all these things because of [something]…from March this year to August this year, through the exchange rate, I lost $12 million,” Kennedy Agyapong said in a viral audio. He also threatened to shut down the presidential campaign of the vice president if he is not treated fairly in the flagbearer race of the NPP.
The German section of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of spreading misinformation about the opposition party’s involvement in the Pokuase interchange project. In a statement issued by the NPP Germany branch, it accuses Mr. Felix Kwakye Ofosu in particular of attempting to mislead Ghanaians and defame President Akufo-Addo of the exchange.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Biggest liar in Ghana
According to the NPP, the lies from the NDC should come as no surprise to well-meaning Ghanaians since it is and always will be their stock in trade to throw in a lot of untruth in order to gain public trust. “For the record, the Pokuase interchange had not begun in 2017. The project has taken shape from the first dig to the commissioning of same all by President Akufo-Addo. “It is indeed only those whose political survival depends on lying and blind folding Ghanaians who will go about peddling such falsehood,” the release from the NPP Germany branch signed by Communications Director Nana Osei Boateng has said.
According to the group, it will continue to assist the president as he works to complete the tasks that the nation has been unable to complete for a number of years due to the NDC’s inefficiency. Find below the full release from the NPP Germany branch:
NPP Germany branch
Press Release
NPP Germany 23.08.21
AKUFO-ADDO BUILT EVERY PART OF THE POKUASE INTERCHANGE The NDC has bandied around that the 4-tier Pokuase interchange is an infrastructure built by former President Mahama. This came as no surprise to well meaning Ghanaians because it’s their stock in trade and always will; they throw in a lot of untruth in order to win the public trust. The notorious amongst the babies with sharp teeth, Mr. Felix Kwakye Ofosu has taken it upon himself to lead this campaign and is recently on record for hitting at President Akufo-Addo. He is reported to have said that Akufo-Addo is claiming the Pokuase interchange because he has done nothing meaningful. He made this shameful comment in the week where Akufo-Addo was unveiling his about 130th factory under the 1D1F special initiative. It must be noted by all Ghanaians that His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has exhibited a great understanding of the government in continuum by completing most of the project in the handing over notes of the previous administration (except a few ones soiled with corruption). His administration has in addition to the ones he was handed over to built, has indeed built more than any NDC administration. For the record, the Pokuase interchange had not begun in 2017. The project has taken shape from the first dig to the commissioning of same all by President Akufo-Addo. It is indeed only those whose political survival depends on lying and blind folding Ghanaians who will go about peddling such falsehood. Once again the president acknowledges the many challenges of the country and in a crafty manner, he is weaving a perfect economy for Ghanaians. We will support the president to accomplish all that we haven’t accomplished in many years due to the NDC’s inefficiencies. God Bless Ghana God Bless the NPP and Nana Addo.
The General Jurisdiction High Court (12) in Accra has ordered Sammy Gyamfi, the National Communications Officer of the opposition National Democratic Congress, to pay GH¢500,000 in damages to Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the Minister of Energy. This follows the court’s decision in favor of the minister in a defamation case he brought in 2019 against Sammy Gyamfi, which was heard by Justice Charles Gyamfi Danquah. When he was the minister of education, Dr. Opoku Prempah filed a lawsuit against the NDC communicator for claiming that Seidu Mba, one of the suspects detained in connection with the kidnapping of two Canadian girls in Kumasi, was his (Dr. Prempah’s) errand boy. Justice Charles Gyamfi Danquah ruled during the hearing on Thursday (October 13, 2022) that Sammy Gyamfi had defamed Dr. Opoku Prempeh with his utterances. Sammy Gyamfi was also fined GH¢500,000, and the judge also ordered him to apologize and recant his false remark within seven days of the ruling with the same prominence as the initial assertion. “A declaration that the words complained of and published by the defendant and contained in paragraph 14 herein are defamatory of the Plaintiff’s character.
“An order of the honorable court directed at the defendant to publish an unqualified retraction and an apology with the same prominence of the defamatory words received within seven days after the judgment.
“An order of the honorable court for a perpetual injunction restraining the defendant, his agents, assigns, servants and any person claiming authority from the defendant from further making/or publishing any defamatory words against the Plaintiff.
“The sum of One million Ghana Cedis (GHS1, 000,000) in damages for the defamation,” a declaration statement by the energy minister read.
