Mahama ‘Swerves’ Bawumia At CEOs Meeting

Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has been accused of snubbing vice president and members of the private sector, whose contribution to the economy, is deemed as very critical.

The NDC presidential candidate, was allegedly invited, together with the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, to attend the maiden Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) meeting, dubbed presidential Manifesto Gala.

Perhaps, it was going to be the last time the two gentlemen, were going to meet face to face and share their ideas and visions to Ghanaians, before the crucial December 7 elections.

Dr Bawumia, had suspended his campaign to honour the programme, but could not meet his opponent, Mr Mahama, who failed to show up.

The vice president on many occasions, has requested for a presidential debate between him and the former president, but the NDC and Mr Mahama, rejected the call, saying he does not want to descend to the level of Dr Bawumia, a comment which has been condemned by the NPP.

A week earlier, Mr Mahama, had attended the national Peace Campaign launch, which he had hoped to meet either President Nana Addo or Dr Bawumia, given their roles in maintaining national stability.

He had decried their absence, even though the NPP’s vice presidential candidate, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, was present.

The CEOs event, themed ‘Reigniting the Business Economic and Social Contract for Growth: A Business Manifesto for Political Accountability and Sustainable Development’, was widely advertised on radio and television stations for what was anticipated to be an engaging encounter.

The event, held on Friday November 8, 2024 in Accra, was a platform offered the aspirants to share aspects of their manifesto that is geared towards the private sector.

But when the CEOs converged at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel, they had a rude shock, after learning that the former president, was not in their midst.

They were concerned that Mr Mahama, did not deem it important to even delegate his vice-presidential candidate, Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang or any top official of the NDC, to represent him.

The CEOs expressed disappointment at the obvious snub by the former president, who was in the Central Region over the weekend campaigning.

Some of the key highlights of the evening, was a social contract signing by the two leaders, a pact to end illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, and also perspectives of Dr Bawumia and Mr Mahama on two different topics.

John Dramani Mahama, was billed to share his insights on “Reigniting Political and Business Collaboration: A Manifesto for Economic Growth, Accountability, and Sustainable Development.”

The vice president on the other hand who was present spoke on “Reigniting the Business Economy: A Manifesto for Innovation, Accountability, and Sustainable Development.”

One of the most significant moments of the Gala, was the signing of a Social Contract by the NDC and NPP flag bearers. This contract symbolizes a public pledge to principles that foster economic growth, good governance, and political accountability. By affixing their signatures, it was going to mean the political leaders demonstrated their commitment to creating an enabling environment for businesses and fulfilling their duty to all Ghanaians.

Another critical focus of the progamme was discussions on the devastation caused by illegal mining, or galamsey.

The environmental toll, economic disruption, and societal harm it has inflicted on our nation cannot be overstated. They advocated for a bold and actionable pact to end galamsey, one that protects the environment and ensures the sustainability of our natural resources for future generations.

Founder and CEO, Ghana CEO Network &CEO Summit, Ernest De-Graft Egyir, remarked that “both leaders bring unique perspectives, grounded in experience and vision, and we eagerly anticipate their contributions to this critical dialogue”.

In his speech, the vice president emphasized the importance of collaborative agenda between government and the private sector. He reiterated his commitment to creating a friendly economic environment for businesses and the private sector to flourish to transform the economy under his administration.

Dr Bawumia, who described the CEOs as “key drivers” of the economy, assured them that if as president, he will prioritize the sustainable growth of the private sector to drive the country’s economic growth through what he described as “business-friendly” policies.

He hammered on his plans to overhaul the present tax regime to a friendlier system that will engender growth and development of businesses.

He also reiterated his quest to introduce a new tax system which will grant businesses tax amnesty, introduce a new flat tax rate, flat import duty in cedis, electronic filing of taxes as week as empowering the private sector to undertaken public infrastructure projects in an enhanced public-private partnership.

Present at the event was, Daniel McKorley, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the McDan Company, founder of the defunct UT Bank, Ghana Telecommunication Chamber’s Ken Ashigbey, Alhassan Andani former of Stanbic Bank, CEO of the Margins Group, Moses Baiden jnr and many others.

Source: Anchorghana.com