Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has expressed disappointment over the Mahama administration's failure to implement the Women's Development Bank (WDB) idea. He stated that almost two years into office, the WDB has not opened its doors to any woman. Bawumia made these comments during the NPP's conference in Kumasi on Saturday, October 3.
The NDC promised to establish the Women's Development Bank as part of their campaign promises. However, Bawumia noted that the bank's non-implementation is a clear example of the NDC's failure to fulfill its promises to Ghanaians. He also criticized the NDC for increasing electricity tariffs, which has negatively impacted households, small businesses, and industries.
According to Bawumia, the NDC's 24-hour economy policy promised a reduction in electricity tariffs, but the opposite has occurred. There has been a dramatic increase in electricity tariffs, crippling businesses and households. The cost of living has also increased, with rising transportation costs, rent, and fuel prices.
Dr. Bawumia pointed out that despite the high cost of living, the government's only lifeline has been the relative stability of the Cedi. He attributed this stability to the Bank of Ghana's Domestic Gold Purchase Programme, which was launched in June 2021. The programme has helped protect the currency from global shocks and revamp the Cedi.
Bawumia also criticized the NDC for abandoning several programs initiated by the NPP, designed to improve the quality of life for Ghanaians. These programs include Agenda 111, a national healthcare intervention aimed at providing district hospitals to areas in need. He stated that if the NPP was still in office, these hospitals would have been completed, providing easy access to healthcare and jobs for health graduates.
Furthermore, Bawumia expressed concerns about the Free Senior High School program, stating that it is suffering under the NDC. He noted that the program's meal quality has deteriorated, and many BECE graduates are being deliberately cut off from the program. Bawumia believes that the NDC never believed in the program and has been sabotaging it.
In conclusion, Bawumia emphasized that the NDC's failure to implement the Women's Development Bank and other programs has had a negative impact on Ghanaians. He urged Ghanaians to hold the NDC accountable for its actions and to expect better from their leaders.
Key points
- The Women's Development Bank has not opened its doors to a single market woman almost two years after the NDC promised to establish it.
- The NDC's failure to fulfill its promises has negatively impacted households, small businesses, and industries.
- The government's only lifeline has been the relative stability of the Cedi, supported by the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme.
