In a recent address at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), made a significant pledge regarding the composition of his potential administration.
He declared, “Enhancing the role of the private sector along with fiscal and administrative decentralization, improving our systems and the way our institutions function will lead to greater efficiency; cutting waste and ensuring value for money in procurement. Additionally, an efficient system of governance will require even fewer ministers. Therefore, I would have no more than 50 ministers and deputy ministers.”
Moreover, Dr. Bawumia emphasized the importance of transparency in combating corruption, stating, “One of the most potent weapons against corruption is transparency. Many corrupt activities are cash-based… Apart from the obvious economic benefits of moving in the direction of a cashless society, the literature does indicate that the more electronic payments are used in transactions as opposed to cash, the more there is traceability and therefore the less the corruption.”
Highlighting his vision for a cashless economy, Dr. Bawumia outlined plans to encourage electronic payment methods by abolishing taxes on digital transactions, including the controversial e-levy. He also announced intentions to publish details of all public contracts online for public scrutiny.
