The Vice President, Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has said the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government has made 103 achievements within its first 100 days in office.
Christening it as “one day, one achievement” in the about 40-minutes presentation at a town hall event organised by Accra based radio station Joy FM on Monday, the Vice President said even though the government did not make any specific promises for the first 100 days, it has been able to achieve some significant successes.
The event was organised to mark President Akufo-Addo’s first 100 days in office.
“We have arrested the cedi from running… and have given the keys to the IGP,” he said amidst laughter.
He said the stabilization of the cedi has brought some relief to investors and business owners.
He said government has upped the country’s foreign reserve from less than $6 billion to $8 billion. “This is the achievement and with that you have a lot more confidence in the economy and you see stability return to the currency.”
Listen to the Vice President’s 40-minute presentation here
Introducing his presentation with what was handed over to the NPP by the erstwhile NDC government, Dr Bawumia said “Ghanaians overwhelmingly voted for change and did so for a number of good reasons.”
This he said were “real GDP with oil was down 3.6% in 2016 from 9.1% in 2008, declining growth in agriculture and industry, Rising unemployment, -High fiscal deficits, Rising public debts, Accumulating arrears on government obligations, Weakening of the banking system, Dumsor, Cancellation of teacher and nursing training allowances, Depreciation of the exchange rate, Return to cash and carry under NHIS, Freeze on the hiring of Extension Officers in agriculture, High and pervasive taxes, High electricity prices, Corruption and IMF bailout.
Below is a list of the 103 achievements Dr Bawumia mentioned
- Restoring Fiscal Discipline and Macro stability, we have;
- Re-profiling Ghana’s public debt: USD2.25 billion cedi sovereign bonds, up to 15 year tenor, at 19.75%.
- Massive boost to our gross international reserves from $6 billion $8 billion.
- Reduced Inflation Rate from 15.4% to 12.8%.
- Allocated the cedi equivalent of $1million( GHs 4.1 million) to each constituency for economic development and poverty reduction.
- Restored confidence in the macro-economy by anchoring fiscal policy on the pillars of credibility, clarity and transparency.
- Restoring Fiscal Discipline and Macro stability, we have;
- Replaced the 17.5 VAT/NHIL rate with a flat rate of 3 % for traders.
- Granted Capital Gains Tax Exemption on stocks traded on the Ghana Stock Exchange or publicly held securities approved by the SEC.
- The 2017 Budget returned Ghana back on to the path of fiscal consolidation with a budget deficit target of 6.5% of GDP.
- Government created fiscal space by capping of earmarked funds to 25% of government revenue and realigning expenditures to government priorities.
- Moving the Focus of Economic Policy from Taxation to Production ,we have ;
- Abolished excise duty on petroleum.
- Abolished levies imposed on ‘kayayei’ by local authorities.
- Abolished levies imposed on religious institutions by local authorities.
- Abolished the 1% Special Import Levy.
- Abolished the 17.5% VAT/NHIL on domestic airline tickets.
- Abolished the 17.5% VAT/NHIL on financial services.
- Abolished the 17.5% VAT/NHIL on selected imported medicines, that are not produced locally.
- Abolished the 5% VAT/NHIL on Real Estate sales.
- Initiated the process to abolish duty on the importation of spare parts.
- Reduced National Electrification Scheme Levy from 5% to 3%.
- Reduced Public Lighting Levy from 5% to 2%.
- Reduced special petroleum tax rate from 17.5% to 15%.
Culture and Tourism
- Established a Safety Audit Unit at the Ghana Tourism Authority to conduct safety audits across tourist sites.
- Established the Creative Arts Council.
- Launched the Presidential Museum at the Christiansborg Castle.
Food and Agriculture
- Imported 300,000 metric tonnes of fertilizers; this is higher than any annual import since 2007.
- Reduced fertilizer prices by 50%.
- 1200 agricultural extension officers have been hired and trained nationwide to support Planting for Food and Jobs.
- Ghana and Ivory Coast have agreed to collaborate to tackle the volatility of cocoa prices.
- $ 300 million saved by reviewing and prioritizing Power Purchase Agreements
- Secured financing for two major rural electrification projects (Hunan and China Water). This project when implemented would extend electricity to over 800 communities.
- Transparent allocation of petroleum blocks: A team of experts has been constituted to work with the Petroleum Commission to develop regulations for the transparent allocation of petroleum blocks as provided by Act 919
- Government has awarded a contract for the capacity building of 1,400 teachers/education leaders in ICT to be undertaken by Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT.
- Awarded contract for Information Management System for Ministry of Justice and Attorney General.
- Awarded contract for Case Management System for Judicial Service of Ghana. Software being installed now.
- Contract awarded for E-Procurement system for use by the Public Procurement Authority.
Fishing Industry
- Spread the allocation of premix fuel to more OMCs. Previously only 2 OMCs were allowed to sell premix. As part of government’s effort to ensure transparency and stamp out corruption, we have increased the number to 9.
- Halted the issuance of fishing licenses to stop overfishing.
- Trained Watch dog committees along the coast to fight the menace of light fishing.
- New policy on sulfur content introduced. Effective1st July, the sulfur content in our fuel will be reduced from the current 3,000pmm to 50pmm. This will reduce respiratory diseases triggered by fuel toxins with high sulfur content. Same level as western world and East African countries.
- For new PPAs, Government is moving from thermal to renewable energy .
- Renewed focus on Railway: There was no allocation to the sector in the 2016 budget. However in 2017, Ghs518 million has been allocated to the sector.
- Ghana Railway Company is now generating enough revenue to pay their salaries.
Social Sector achievements
- Free SHS : Redefined Basic Education to include SHS and made allocation of Ghs 400 million in the budget to start free SHS for first year students in September 2017.
- Completed draft bill for the National Research Fund.
- Increased National Service Allowance effective April from Ghs 350 to Ghs 559.
- Allocated Ghs 43.9 million for the establishment of a National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Plan.
Health
- Approval has been given to employ 11,000 health trainees who graduated between 2012 and 2016.
- Dissolution of the Health Training Institute Secretariat.
- Reduced cost of nursing training admission forms from Ghs 160 to Ghs 100. This will cover all processes leading to admission
- Restored nursing training allowance.
- Secured financial clearance to employ 181 Doctors who completed their housemanship 7 months ago.
- Terms of reference completed to enable selection of auditors on competitive basis to undertake forensic audit of the January 2016 Central Medical Stores fire Outbreak.
Governance
- Completed appointment of Ministers within 6 weeks of coming into office.
- All ministers have declared their assets.
- Established a functional Delivery Unit at the Presidency.
- Established a functional Economic Management Team.
- Established a policy not to buy new cars for government machinery.
Local Government
- Increased the proportion of DACF that goes directly to assemblies from 33% to 50% as a result of fewer deductions from the centre
Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs
- Sword cut for the construction of a National Cathedral. Established a board of trustees to oversee the construction.
Zongo and Inner City Development
- Completed the draft bill for the historic Zongo Development Fund and made an allocation of Ghs 219 million for the fund.
- Established Ministry of Zongo and Inner City Development: For the first time in the history of Ghana, Government has appointed a minister to focus on the needs and infrastructural demands of the Zongos around the country
Accountability achievements
- Policy approval given to establish the Office of the Special Prosecutor. Work on draft bill is in progress.
- State prosecutors had been on strike since November of 2016 which crippled the justice system. The AG office successfully negotiated with the state attorneys who have since resumed work
- Successfully freed up AG’s account that the courts had garnisheed.
Energy
- Capped electricity power purchases at 10 cents per KwH.
- Established policy to separate VRA’s thermal operations from hydro.
- Established a policy to move all major government buildings, schools, hospitals, military, and police to solar energy.
- Uninterrupted production of oil and gas in the Jubilee Field due to a temporary mooring solution. A long term permanent solution is being discussed. This solution has saved Government USD 5million per month.
Diaspora
- Established the Office of Diaspora Affairs within the Office of the President.
- Worked with international bodies to secure election of three Ghanaian nationals to high profile positions within the African Union System, Hon. Kwesi Quartey (Deputy Chairperson of the African Union), Ms. Kathleen Quartey-Ayensu (Member of the AU Commission on International Law), Mr. Daniel Batidam (AU Anti-Corruption Board).
Gender and Social Protection
- Established the first government adult shelter to support victims of human trafficking. There is one for victims of domestic abuse but this is the first ever shelter dedicated to victims of human trafficking.
- Established a revolving Ghs 500,000 human trafficking fund.
- Made budgetary allocation to expand LEAP to cover more beneficiaries, from 213,000 to 350,000 households who had been captured but not catered for.
Special initiatives
- Funds allocated allocated to undertake the One-Village-One-Dam project.
- Completed draft bills for the establishment of the three Development Authorities.
- Desilting of major drains in Accra has started. Work had stalled due to arrears owed to contractors.
- All allowances due soldiers at the various missions have been fully paid. $39 million in arrears have also been paid.
- Peacekeeping allowance increased and paid from $31 to $35.
- Successfully participated in ECOMIG Operations (GAMBIA): We moved away from “dzi wo fie asem” and actively participated in the restoration of democracy in Gambia while helping to ensure peace and stability in that country.
Writer’s email: enoch.frimpong@graphic.com.gh
