I’ll organise a National Economic Dialogue within my first 120 days – Mahama

NDC flagbearer John Dramani Mahama has pledged that he will use his first 120 days in office to host a number of engagements with key stakeholders towards developing a course for addressing the country’s challenges.

Addressing members and sympathisers of the NDC in Winneba at the party’s manifesto launch on Saturday, Mr. Mahama chided the ruling NPP for making the mess of the economy he had worked to build.

He stated that a national economic dialogue will provide a platform for discussing the “true” state of the economy while aiding in the preparation of the budget.

“We would hold a national economic dialogue to discuss the true state of the economy and prepare a homegrown physical consolidation program to guide the budget,” he said.

He added that he would commence the formulation of the needed legal amendments towards the implementation of his flagship 24-hour economy, which will operate directly under the presidency.

The former president also revealed the establishment of a new Accelerated Export Development Authority to promote export.

He also hinted engagements with stakeholders connected to the education sector, including CHASS, NAGRAT, GNAT, UTAG, CETAG, and think tanks, among others, to build consensus on critical matters in the education sector, including the Free SHS.

Other pledges by the NDC Candiate include the cancellation of “nuisance” taxes, including the Betting Tax, COVID Levy, E-Levy, and Emissions Levy.

He also reiterated the pledge in the party’s youth manifesto on the “No fees stress” initiative for entry-level tertiary students, adding that it is a grant facility that will be administered by the Students Loans Trust Funds.

Further, he promised some social interventions within his 120 days, including no fees for persons with disabilities at the tertiary level, a medical care trust fund, free sanitary pads for girls at the basic and secondary levels, and an inquiry into suspected cases of corruption occasioned by members of the governing NPP.