If I do everything now, what will I do when I come into office? - Bawumia

At a media engagement on Sunday, August 25, 2024, at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra, Vice President and New Patriotic Party (NPP) flag bearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, addressed questions on why he has not been able to implement certain manifesto promises during his tenure as Vice President. 

Responding to questions about why significant tax reforms, including as import duty reductions and tax amnesties, have not been implemented under his watch, Dr. Bawumia said that his function as Vice President has limitations.

"The budget that has gone to Parliament, which has been passed, is not my budget, is it my budget? It’s not my budget. The budget goes in the name of the President, it doesn’t go in the name of the Vice President," Dr. Bawumia stated

Dr. Bawumia underlined that his current position does not give him the entire authority required to carry out all of his proposals, but that these plans are part of his vision for when he becomes president. He made a connection with former President John Mahama, stating that despite having full presidential authority, Mahama did not complete all of his goals throughout his term.

"Even President Mahama, who was president—I'm only Vice President—but he was President. Why didn’t he do everything then? I mean, why is he coming back? He had full authority. I don’t have full authority," Bawumia remarked, highlighting the inherent differences in power and responsibility between the offices of the President and the Vice President.

Dr. Bawumia also pointed out the necessity of having a manifesto to present new ideas for future governance. 

"When you have to think about what new you want to do, you come up with new ideas, and I’ve come up with new ideas which I want to do when we come into office," he explained.

"The other issue was that we wanted to do these tax reforms, import duty, flat tax, tax amnesty and so on and why don't I do it now? And why do I want to? I must have a manifesto, otherwise, if I do everything now, if I could, what would I do when I come into office?", he stated.

He compared his position to that of other vice-presidential candidates globally, asserting that anyone running for office must prepare a fresh agenda for their potential presidency.

"I mean, how can you do everything now, even President Mahama, former president. Who who was president? I'm only vice president, but he was president. Why didn't he do everything then?

"I mean, why is he coming back? He had full authority. I don't have full authority. The budget that has gone to Parliament, which has been passed, is not my budget, is it my budget? Is not my budget. The budget goes in the name of the President, doesn't go in the name of the vice president. But when you have to think about what new do you want to do? You come up with new ideas, and I've come up with new ideas, which I want to do when we come into office.

"Everyone who is running for office, whether you are Kamala Harris or you are Bawumia, you still have to think about what you have to do when you get into office. And this is why I'm presenting my new ideas as to what to do."

Source : Lead News Online