By Benjamin A. Commey
Accra, Oct 23, GNA – Dr. Hassan Ayariga, the Flagbearer of the All People’s Congress (APC), has promised to establish a fair and inclusive system for all Ghanaians if elected in the December 7 election.
He committed to enacting policies that benefit the broader population and vowed to tackle corruption head-on while strengthening institutions to support good governance.
“In order for us to build this country, we have to step on toes,” he said when he met with some leaders of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) in Accra on Tuesday, to outline his plans for the business community and the entire country.
“We will do things, some will like, and some will not like. So, do not think that everything that I am going to do is going to favour all of you.
“Some will be favoured, some will not be favoured, but that is the system that we must build- a free, fair system, a system that is transparent,” he told the GUTA leaders.
Dr. Ayariga stressed the importance of a robust national data infrastructure for a country’s development, as it equips the government with essential information for informed decision-making that benefits everyone.
He proposed that an APC administration would implement a national data system to gather comprehensive personal and property data, including ownership details, facial recognition, business information, bank accounts, and even blood types.
Dr. Ayariga said that an APC government would create a “working national development plan” to steer the country’s development agenda and ensure the continuity of projects.
He criticized the New Patriotic Party and the National Democratic Congress for their failure to establish a functional national development plan despite being in power for over thirty years.
“I am going to build a country driven by data, not one that looks like we don’t know who we are,” he stressed.
Dr. Ayariga pledged to implement a robust manufacturing policy that would include introducing a flat rate for electricity and water to lower production costs and curb price increases.
He also announced plans for “duty-free” ports, where all taxes and levies would be streamlined into five main charges: port charges, shipping charges, Ghana Revenue Authority charges, income tax, and other levies.
Dr. Ayariga proposed a “price control and guarantee system” in partnership with importers to ensure fair pricing in the market.
He stressed the need to review and improve the minimum wage structure, faulting both the NDC and NPP for exploiting workers and maintaining a minimum wage that failed to provide a decent standard of living.
Dr. Ayariga said vowed to set the minimum wage between GH¢150 and GH¢300, with a minimum salary of GH¢5,000.
He suggested implementing a bi-weekly salary structure to help workers manage their finances more effectively
The APC flagbearer said he would establish a better pension scheme to enhance retirement benefits for workers.
On health, he promised to establish ultra-modern hospitals in all the 16 regions to improve healthcare delivery across the country.
Dr. Joseph Obeng, President of GUTA, reaffirmed the Association’s demand for reduced port taxes to alleviate the challenges of doing business in the country.
He praised the APC flagbearer for proposing duty-free ports and flat rates for electricity and water, insisting that those measures could enhance trade and production.
However, Dr. Obeng urged the APC leader to reconsider his price control policy, emphasizing that prices should be dictated by supply and demand dynamics.
GNA