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NPP Manifesto launch: Bawumia outlines 9 incentives to boost businesses
The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has outlined 9 incentives to boost businesses when voted as President.
According to him, this is aimed at creating a business-friendly environment for businesses to thrive.
He made this promise when presenting the party’s 2024 manifesto in Takoradi.
In his address, he outlined plans for a new tax regime under his administration, specifically designed to foster business growth and stimulate economic development.
Read the 9 incentives below
(a) Offering Investment Tax Credits (ITC) to incentivize Ghanaian start-ups in strategic sectors during their first three years of operation.
(b) Introducing a Flat Rate for all importers to bring predictability and stability to the pricing of imported goods.
(c) Harmonizing port charges to align with those of competing regional ports, particularly in Togo, ensuring that duties at Ghanaian ports are the same or lower.
(d) Utilizing the government’s purchasing power to stimulate industrial expansion and business growth by implementing a “Buy Ghana First” policy, where public sector procurement prioritizes locally produced goods and services.
(e) Reforming electricity tariffs to establish a structure where commercial rates are equal to or lower than residential rates, ensuring affordable power for industries and businesses.
(f) Establishing an SME Bank to address the specific financing needs of small and medium enterprises, which employ over 80% of Ghanaians.
(g) Reforming the licensing regime for the small-scale mining sector, reducing the minerals export tax to 1% to curb gold smuggling, and establishing a Minerals Development Bank to finance viable local mineral projects, small-scale miners, and Ghanaian mining services firms.
(h) Completing the digitalization of land titling and registration, enabling property owners to use their assets as collateral to raise capital for business growth and expansion.
unapparelled luxury
(i) Creating Special Economic Zones (Free Zones) in collaboration with the private sector at major border towns such as Aflao, Paga, Elubo, Sampa, and Tatale to enhance economic activity, increase exports, reduce smuggling, and create jobs.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has pledged to work closely with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice to address challenges affecting the delivery of justice in Ghana.
He made this known after receiving the Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, who paid a courtesy call on him earlier today.
The Chief Justice was accompanied by Supreme Court Judge, Justice Gabriel Pwamang, the Acting Director of the Ghana School of Law, Professor Raymond Atuguba, and the Judicial Secretary.
The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, was also present at the meeting.
Dr. Forson said the Chief Justice explained that the visit was to express appreciation for the continuous support the Ministry of Finance has given to the Judiciary.
According to him, the Chief Justice raised concerns about congestion in the courts, describing it as a major challenge that affects the speedy delivery of justice.
He said several solutions are currently being considered to help reduce the pressure on the courts.
“The Chief Justice also highlighted issues regarding the working conditions of staff within the Judiciary,” Dr. Forson stated.
He assured them of his commitment to helping resolve these problems through collaboration with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice.
“I am committed to working closely with the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice to tackle these challenges,” he said.
As part of the measures being considered, Dr. Forson revealed that his ministry is examining the possibility of allowing the Judiciary to use 100 percent of its Internally Generated Funds (IGF) to meet urgent operational needs.
He said this move, if approved, would help improve the efficiency of the courts and enhance justice delivery across the country.
The meeting forms part of efforts to strengthen cooperation between the Executive and the Judiciary in addressing systemic challenges within Ghana’s justice system.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana has begun talks with the family of Guinea’s first President, Sékou Touré, to take possession of the house where Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah lived and worked during his final years in exile.
The Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, announced that the move follows instructions from President John Dramani Mahama.
According to him, the Mahama administration plans to renovate and preserve the residence in Guinea as a mark of respect for Nkrumah and to protect his legacy.
He explained that the site is expected to become part of a broader historical and tourism experience that traces Nkrumah’s life from Ghana to Guinea.
The decision was formally communicated to the Sékou Touré family on Saturday during a visit led by Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang.
The visit took place after the investiture of Guinea’s President Mamady Doumbouya.
Mr Ablakwa noted that the Ghanaian delegation toured Nkrumah’s abandoned home and was warmly received by three generations of the Sékou Touré family, led by the former president’s eldest son.
He added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently negotiating the terms and conditions of the arrangement and engaging preservation experts to handle the restoration works.
The minister assured the public that the process will be handled openly, stressing that Ghanaians will be kept informed at every stage in the interest of transparency and accountability.
Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah was Ghana’s first President and a leading figure in Africa’s independence and Pan African movements.
His years in Guinea symbolised the strong political and ideological ties between the two countries.
By: Jacob Aggrey
