Vice President and flagbearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has said the government intends to introduce electric vehicles into the country as part of efforts to reduce the cost of transportation.

Dr. Bawumia said the move will cut at least 40 percent of the cost of public transportation while reducing emissions.

Addressing a gathering at Akropong in the Eastern Region over the weekend, the NPP flagbearer said these electric vehicles will be introduced ahead of the upcoming December election.

He argued that the government primarily wants to move from reliance on diesel, gas, and petrol to adopting electric vehicles to support public transportation.

“I will change the dependence on oil and gas for fuel on public transports from diesel and petrol, we are moving to electric power, we are moving to electric vehicles. We are adding one-wheelers, two-wheelers, and three-wheelers.

“We are already done with the estimates on the electric vehicles, and fortunately, the buses will be in before the December election. This will enable the cost of public transportation to decrease by at least 40 percent,” he said.

Additionally, Dr. Bawumia said his administration, if elected in the polls, aims to revise the tax regime to support businesses. He explained that a tax amnesty will be introduced as well as a 10% flat-rate tax policy to ease the sufferings of business owners.

“I’m also introducing a new tax policy for businessmen and women, which is the flat rate of tax. Like Estonia, if it’s 10%, everybody will enjoy 10%. You could calculate your tax liability and be free from the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). Before the initiative, next year, businesses and individuals will enjoy tax amnesty to ensure nobody owes GRA,” Dr. Bawumia said.

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