By Mercy Darko
The flagbearer of NPP, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia says his government when given the nod will establish an Independent Fiscal Responsibility Council that will manage public spending.
He said the challenge has always been with the expenditure of the government and this can be addressed with an oversight body that will manage the situation.
To this end, his government will engage the Private Sector and give incentives that will enable them to take on infrastructural projects to reduce the burden on the government. He will also reduce the size of his government to a minimum of 50 Ministers, and subscribes to the Review of the 1992 Constitution.
Dr Bawumia said this when he engaged the TUC to solicit their views as the NPP prepared its Manifesto.
Dr Bawumia said his government will place priority on the private sector as they have the capacity to help reduce public expenditure when they are given the right incentives that will help reduce government’s borrowing and expenditure.
He said he is not intimidated by what the advanced nations have been able to achieve as it is possible to achieve the same in Ghana, stressing that the country needs to tap into the experience of those countries to transform the economy.
Touching on the country’s natural resources, Dr Bawumia said his vision for the country is to introduce a new regime where the exploration and mining of precious minerals especially gold is done by Ghanaians. This he indicated will ensure that the country benefits fully from the resource.
On power generation, Dr Bawumia said it is time for the country to focus on solar energy to reduce the dependence of fuel-generated power. He said in the next four years, his government will bring in 2000 megawatts of solar energy into the country. Dr Bawumia also said there is a need to reach a consensus on a National Development Plan and also amend the Constitution.
The Secretary General of TUC, Dr Anthony Yaw Baah in a remark outlined some key initiatives that the TUC is ready to partner with the government to grow the economy. He proposed among others a need to review the Constitution of the country, finding a permanent solution to the energy crisis and the creation of employment for the teaming youth.
Dr Bawumia was accompanied by the Manifesto Committee of the NPP including its Chairman, Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu who pledged the commitment of the party to incorporate the views and vision of the TUC in its manifesto.