Bawumia Criticizes Two-Year Delay in Women's Development Bank Launch
Two years after promise, Women's Development Bank yet to serve market women, Bawumia says
The Vice President and NPP flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has denounced the Mahama administration for not operationalising the Women's Development Bank.
He told delegates at the party's conference in Kumasi on Saturday, October 3, that the bank has not admitted a single market woman since it was pledged.
The NDC had earlier promised a similar institution, he said, but its failure to open its doors after two years shows neglect of women traders.
Bawumia also accused the NDC of inflating electricity tariffs instead of delivering the promised reduction under the 24-hour economy.
He said households, small businesses and industries are now bearing the brunt of rising utility costs.
The NPP official cited barber shops, hair salons, bakers and young entrepreneurs as groups hardest hit.
He added that transport costs are climbing due to higher prices of spare parts and fuel.
Rent prices have also surged, he noted, making daily survival harder for ordinary Ghanaians.
Although inflation has fallen to five percent on paper, he said the real cost of living continues to rise.
Bawumia explained that the cedi's relative stability has been the government's only comfort amid broken promises.
He credited the Domestic Gold Purchase Programme, launched in June 2021 on his advice, for shielding the currency from global shocks.
Official data, he said, shows the programme prevented a deeper crisis and helped ease inflation and interest rates.
Ironically, he said, some current officials opposed the initiative when it was first proposed.
He also lamented the abandonment of key projects such as Agenda 111, which aimed to build district hospitals.
If the NPP had remained in power, he argued, those hospitals would now be completed, creating jobs for health graduates.
In education, he claimed Free Senior High School is deteriorating under the current government.
He said the promised improvement in school meals has not materialised.
Many BECE graduates, he added, are being excluded from Free SHS despite eligibility.
Parents, he said, are frustrated by the government's response that their children have failed.
Bawumia asserted that many Ghanaians expected better management of Free SHS and are disappointed by its current state.
He concluded by reaffirming his commitment to policies that prioritise ordinary Ghanaians.
The NPP conference also featured remarks from other party figures.
Napo, a senior NPP delegate, expressed confidence that the collective wisdom of the masses would guide the party.
The PNC criticised the NPP's decision to appoint its flagbearer as party leader.
Bawumia warned that the NDC's 24-hour economy has turned into widespread demolitions.
He paid tribute to former president Kufuor and current president Akufo-Addo for their legacy.
Mahama urged African leaders to view health as an investable sector rather than charity.
Sammy Crabbe announced a political alliance with John Boadu in the NPP chairmanship race.
The Vice President also accused the NPP of turning the cocoa price promise of GHC6500 into a scam.
