As Ghanaians look ahead to the 2024 elections, the country finds itself at a critical juncture. The challenges of developing infrastructure, ensuring fiscal discipline, and promoting economic growth remain as important as ever. However, the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) 2024 presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, presents a strategic vision that addresses these challenges while fostering sustainable development.

At the core of Dr. Bawumia’s policies is a significant shift toward increasing Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) for large-scale infrastructure projects. By leveraging the private sector's capabilities, expertise, and capital, the government can reduce its financial burden while still achieving ambitious developmental goals. This approach reflects a pragmatic, innovative method of addressing Ghana’s infrastructure deficit and ensuring long-term economic resilience.

Leveraging Public-Private Partnerships for Infrastructure Development

Dr. Bawumia’s policy to increase PPPs marks a major strategic focus that aims to attract private investment in large-scale projects such as transportation, energy, and housing. The ultimate goal is to take the strain off the government’s finances while allowing for accelerated growth in critical infrastructure sectors. Whether it's upgrading the nation’s road networks, expanding power generation capacity, or modernizing public transport, PPPs will enable faster execution and improved efficiency.

This model has already proven effective in many countries, and with Dr. Bawumia’s leadership, Ghana can expect to see a transformative period of infrastructure development. By aligning the interests of both public and private sectors, this approach offers mutual benefits, creating jobs, improving the standard of living, and boosting economic activity.

Digital Transformation and a Tech-Driven Economy

Dr. Bawumia, renowned for his focus on technology and innovation, aims to accelerate Ghana’s journey into a fully digitized economy. This vision includes expanding digital infrastructure to every corner of the country, ensuring that all Ghanaians can benefit from e-government services, mobile payments, and online commerce.

The NPP’s 2024 manifesto places a strong emphasis on building a tech-driven economy that will make Ghana a hub for innovation in Africa. The expansion of broadband infrastructure, coupled with enhanced ICT training for the youth, will empower the next generation to participate in the global digital economy. By focusing on this sector, Dr. Bawumia ensures that Ghana is prepared for the future.

Enhancing Financial Inclusion and Expanding the Ghana Card

Under the leadership of Dr. Bawumia, Ghana has already made significant strides in the area of financial inclusion through digital payments and mobile banking innovations. Building on these achievements, the NPP manifesto promises to deepen financial inclusion by integrating more services with the Ghana Card. This will create a seamless identity and financial ecosystem, making it easier for citizens to access credit, pay taxes, and engage with government services.

The expansion of the Ghana Card system, in particular, will play a critical role in promoting transparency and combating corruption. It will also allow for more efficient targeting of government subsidies and social interventions, ensuring that aid reaches those who need it most.

Industrialization and Job Creation through 1D1F

The NPP’s flagship policy of “One District, One Factory” (1D1F) will continue to be a cornerstone of Dr. Bawumia’s economic strategy. By promoting industrialization at the district level, this initiative is expected to create thousands of jobs while adding value to local raw materials. With a focus on agro-processing and export-oriented industries, the 1D1F policy aims to transform Ghana into an industrial powerhouse and reduce reliance on imports.

Through this policy, Dr. Bawumia envisions creating more sustainable livelihoods, especially for the youth and rural communities, by fostering entrepreneurship and innovation in production processes.

Supporting the Agricultural Sector

Agriculture remains the backbone of Ghana’s economy, and the NPP’s 2024 manifesto lays out clear strategies to support farmers. This includes expanding access to financing, modernizing agricultural techniques, and improving access to markets. The introduction of mechanized farming equipment, better irrigation systems, and enhanced storage facilities will significantly boost productivity and reduce post-harvest losses.

Dr. Bawumia is committed to making agriculture more profitable and attractive for the youth. By creating value chains and export opportunities, Ghana’s agricultural sector can play a leading role in driving economic growth under his administration.