John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has unveiled his party’s manifesto for the 2024 elections, promising a comprehensive economic transformation plan. During the launch at the University of Education, Winneba, Mahama announced that he will initiate a National Economic Dialogue within his first 120 days in office to develop a four-year fiscal consolidation program.

Mahama’s economic policies aim to:

1. Implement a 24-hour economy strategy to maximize productivity and efficiency.
2. Transform Ghana into an import substitution and export-led economy.
3. Enhance access to public services and create well-paying jobs.
4. Stop economic decline and restore stability and inclusive growth.
5. Abolish the e-levy and review the levy on bet winnings.
6. Reduce the size of government and fight corruption.
7. Increase investment in the mining sector and revamp the cocoa sector.
8. Attract private sector investors to partner with the government.
9. Relocate ministries to decongest Accra and emphasize agriculture and agribusiness.
10. Set a standardized limit for borrowing and ensure responsible debt management.

Mahama also promised to:

1. Add value to cocoa, gold, and bauxite through domestic processing and refining.
2. Revive strategic industries like VALCO and TOR.
3. Build a modernized agricultural economy driven by technology and digitalization.
4. Introduce a new budget in April 2025 to support small and medium-scale businesses and adjust taxes.

The NDC’s economic transformation plan aims to create jobs, diversify exports, and ensure value addition from January 2025.