Dr. Bawumia Clarifies Unfulfilled Manifesto Promises, Emphasizes Vice Presidential Constraints

Vice President and New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has offered clarity on why several key manifesto promises remain unfulfilled, despite his prominent role in the current administration.

Speaking during a media engagement on Sunday, August 25, at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra, Dr. Bawumia addressed concerns regarding unimplemented tax reforms, including import duty reductions and tax amnesties. He attributed these shortfalls to the limited authority held by the Vice President in the government structure.

"The budget that has gone to Parliament, which has been passed, is not my budget, is it my budget? It’s not my budget," Dr. Bawumia explained. He further emphasized that the budget is presented in the name of the President, not the Vice President, highlighting his restricted capacity to single-handedly drive the reforms he envisions.

Comparison to Presidential Power

Dr. Bawumia drew a comparison between his situation and that of former President John Mahama, noting that even Mahama, with full presidential powers, was unable to accomplish all his objectives during his time in office.

"Even President Mahama, who was president—I'm only Vice President—but he was President. Why didn’t he do everything then? I mean, why is he coming back? He had full authority. I don’t have full authority," he stated.

Dr. Bawumia pointed out that, as Vice President, his role is inherently different from that of the President, and this affects his ability to fulfill campaign promises without the full executive power that comes with the presidency.

Looking Ahead: Presidential Aspirations

The Vice President underscored that his current proposals, including significant tax reforms and economic policies, are part of his vision for the future, should he be elected as President in the upcoming December election.

"When you have to think about what new you want to do, you come up with new ideas, and I’ve come up with new ideas which I want to do when we come into office," he remarked.

His statement makes a clear distinction between his role as Vice President and his ambitions as a presidential candidate. Dr. Bawumia reassured the public that his proposed reforms will be implemented when he has the full authority as President.

Conclusion

Dr. Bawumia’s explanation of the limitations of the Vice Presidency sheds light on the challenges of executing certain policy reforms from his current position. As the NPP’s presidential flagbearer, he is positioning himself to deliver on these promises once in office, illustrating a forward-looking vision for Ghana’s development.