Dr. Patrick Asuming, an economist, believes Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s statement on the condition of the economy on Thursday did not adequately address the current economic difficulties confronting Ghanaians.
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s talk, he claims, was uninspiring since it did not provide hope to average Ghanaians.
Concerns about Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s silence during times of economic distress prompted him to deliver the address.
This was at a period when the cost of products and services was increasing on a daily basis, with fuel prices at an all-time high, transportation expenses through the roof, and the cedi devaluing.
In his speech, the Vice President attempted to answer concerns ranging from what has happened to economic fundamentals to how the government is addressing current economic challenges.
Dr. Patrick Assuming, an economist, believes that Dr. Bawumia’s presentation did not adequately address the current economic difficulties that Ghanaians face.
He told Citi Business News that the Vice President should have taken advantage of the opportunity to present innovative solutions to assist alleviate Ghanaians’ hardship.
“I don’t believe we heard anything fresh in terms of policy proposals to solve those difficulties.” He stated and admitted that the economy is in trouble, and he discussed all of the difficulties that we are aware of. He spent far too much time attempting to compare what is happening now with what occurred during the last administration. While those provide useful context, I don’t believe they are what the average Ghanaian wants to hear.”
Ghanaians were expecting Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to remark on the electronic transfer levy following its contentious passage in Parliament and scheduled implementation in May 2022, but their hopes were dashed when the Vice President neglected to do so.
The only time he came close to mentioning tax policy was when he was discussing taxes and levies that the Akufo-Addo government had repealed or decreased in the last five years.
Dr. Patrick Assuming expressed surprise at the Vice President’s refusal to mention the e-levy during his much-anticipated economic speech in response to this development.
“I had anticipated the Vice President to say something about the e-levy. Given that he had previously talked on the matter before the e-levy as a bill got to Parliament, many people were intrigued as to what his exact view was.
The e-levy has been the government’s most important message to us this year, with the administration implying that if we pass the levy, many of our problems will be fixed. The Vice President’s silence on the subject was rather remarkable. I’m not sure if we should interpret that to suggest he doesn’t agree with the policy.”
