Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the vice president and flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has responded to the urgent inquiry of why certain significant pledges made in his platform have not been fulfilled under his administration.

When asked why important tax reforms, such import duty reductions and tax amnesties, haven’t been implemented during a Sunday, August 25, media interaction at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra, Dr. Bawumia explained the limitations of his position as Vice President.

“Is my budget the same as the one that was presented to Parliament and approved? My budget isn’t it.

He emphasized that his power is constrained by his current role when he said, “The budget goes in the name of the President, it doesn’t go in the name of the Vice President.”

Dr. Bawumia emphasized—making a contrast to former President John Mahama—that his vision for these reforms is linked to his ambitions for the presidency.

He made the argument that even Mahama, who had all presidential authority, was unable to keep all of his campaign pledges.

“Even President Mahama, who held the office of president—I merely serve as vice president—was president. Then why hadn’t he done everything? Really, why is he returning?

“He was in complete control. He said, “I don’t have full authority,” highlighting the fundamental distinctions between the positions of president and vice president.

He went on to discuss the need of outlining novel concepts for future leadership, emphasizing that each contender needs to draft a brand-new platform for their prospective administration.

Drawing comparisons with other vice-presidential candidates around the world, he stated, “When you have to think about what new you want to do, you come up with new ideas, and I’ve come up with new ideas which I want to do when we come into office.”

As he concluded, Dr. Bawumia established a clear division between his position as Vice President and his goals for the presidency by stating that his present plans and manifesto pledges are intended to be carried out should he be elected President in the forthcoming election on December 7.