Let’s be decorous in our political discourse — Dr Bawumia

The flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has called for decency in the political discourse in the country.

He expressed disappointment at recent comments by former President John Mahama, who he alleged had tagged certain groups in the country as hypocrites.

“I hear yesterday the former President insulted the Clergy, Chiefs, Imams and CSOs, calling them hypocrites. Is this how a former President speaks?” Dr Bawumia asked, adding that, recently Mr Mahama allegedly insulted the Electoral Commission (EC).

“Today, he is saying the NPP government is a foolish government. We must have at least some standards of decency in the language we speak as politicians," he said.

Dr Bawumia, however, attributed the situation to how frustrated Mr Mahama, flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) was, a situation caused by what he described as the poor turn of events in the latter’s election campaigns.

The Vice-President was addressing enthusiastic supporters of the NPP during a “community connect” session of his “possibilities tour” at Nsakina in the Amasaman Constituency in the Greater Accra Region, yesterday.

Ideas

Dr Bawumia further urged politicians to speak on ideas, saying “when you lack ideas, you insult people, but when you have ideas, you present those ideas”.

"We have bold solutions to problems. You say we are a foolish government, but we have created more jobs than your government, we have built more roads than your government, we have built more interchanges than your government, we have built more bridges than your government, factories, schools, hospitals, more court houses, sanitation facilities and astro turfs than your government.

“We have done better than you and you say we are a foolish government”, the Vice-President said.

Vision

Touching on his vision and policies should he become the President in 2025, Dr Bawumia said he would train a million youth in digital skills for jobs and also reduce the cost of electricity with solar power.

Others are changing the tax regime to a flat tax system and giving tax amnesty to all in 2025.

He also re-iterated his promise to provide free tertiary education for People with Disabilities (PWDs).

“If you have a Ghana Card, there will be no filling of form for passport application, and drivers’ license will be extended to 10 years to be renewed every five years,” the NPP flag bearer added.

Dr Bawumia kicked off his tour of Accra yesterday morning with a meet and greet session at the Adjen Kotoku onion market where he interacted with traders.

Together with the NPP parliamentary aspirant for the Amasaman Constituency,Yahaya Kassim Atta, and other leading members of his campaign team, they also visited the Amasaman market and interacted with the traders, amid singing and dancing.

He later met with some stakeholders, including representatives of teacher unions, market women, drivers, chiefs, Muslim and Christian clergy and Imams.