Vice President and New Patriotic Party (NPP) flag bearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has addressed questions on why he has not been able to implement certain manifesto promises during his tenure as Vice President.
Responding to concerns about why key tax reforms, such as import duty reductions and tax amnesties, have not been enacted under his watch, Dr. Bawumia explained that his role as Vice President comes with limitations.
Additionally, he emphasized that his current position does not grant him the full authority needed to implement all his ideas, and that these plans are part of his vision for when he assumes the presidency.
“The other issue was that we wanted to do these tax reforms, import duty, flat tax, tax amnesty and so on, and why don’t I do it now? And why do I want to? I must have a manifesto, otherwise, if I do everything now, if I could, what would I do when I come into office?”
“The budget that has gone to Parliament, which has been passed, is not my budget, is it my budget? It’s not my budget. The budget goes in the name of the President, it doesn’t go in the name of the Vice President,” Dr. Bawumia stated.
He drew a parallel with former President John Mahama, noting that even when Mahama had full presidential authority, he did not accomplish everything he set out to do during his term.
“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,” Bawumia remarked, highlighting the inherent differences in power and responsibility between the offices of the President and the Vice President.
Dr. Bawumia also pointed out the necessity of having a manifesto to present new ideas for future governance.
“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 explained.
He likened his position to that of other vice-presidential candidates globally, asserting that anyone running for office must prepare a fresh agenda for their potential presidency.
“Everyone who is running for office, whether you are Kamala Harris or you are Bawumia, you still have to think about what you have to do when you get into office. And this is why I’m presenting my new ideas as to what to do”.
