We Have Made 103 Achievements In 100 Days - Bawumia

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.

Speaking at a event organised by Joy FM in Accra on Monday to mark President Akufo-Addo’s first 100 days in office, Dr Bawumia said even though the government did not make any specific promises for the fist 100 days, it has been able to achieve successes.

 Among the 103 achievements, Dr Bawumia pointed to the "arrest" of the cedi's decline and decrease in debt among others.

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."

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%.