Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), has announced that an NPP administration under his leadership will introduce a “Buy Ghana First” policy to boost local economic growth.
At the NPP manifesto launch, Dr. Bawumia stressed the importance of prioritizing local goods and services in government procurement.
We will leverage the government’s purchasing power to drive industrial expansion and business growth, creating jobs in the process
he stated. The “Buy Ghana First” policy aims to ensure that all public sector procurements are initially sourced from local producers.
He explained that this approach will enhance domestic demand, increase production, and generate employment opportunities.
Dr. Bawumia added that the policy will be supported by legislation to ensure its successful implementation.
Under the ‘Buy Ghana First’ policy, all public sector procurements will be fulfilled with locally produced goods and services
He highlighted that the NPP believes this policy will foster local economic growth, create jobs, increase domestic demand, boost production, and support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
World-Class Digital Economy
Dr. Bawumia also outlined the NPP’s ambitious plan to advance Ghana into a world-class digital economy, aiming to make it the digital hub of Africa.
He announced that the NPP would implement various policies, incentives, and investments to drive this transformation.
Key initiatives will include establishing a national robotics, engineering, and AI lab, offering venture funding and grant support for Ghanaian start-ups, creating “live lab” opportunities for start-ups to test their ideas, expanding the regulatory sandbox for fintechs, and setting up a $100 million Fintech Fund.
Additional plans involve achieving cross-border mobile money interoperability, launching Digital Residency and Digital Nomad Visa schemes, appointing a Digital Ambassador to promote Ghanaian digital talent and products, and increasing internet penetration to over 90%.
Dr. Bawumia stated that the NPP aims to position Ghana as a leader in the digital economy, fostering job creation, driving innovation, and supporting the growth of high-tech businesses in Ghana.
This vision aligns with the party’s commitment to using technology to drive economic growth and enhance lives.
Internet penetration has risen from 32% in 2016 to 70% in 2024
He also revealed plans to implement comprehensive data interoperability across government platforms to improve transparency and streamline services, create a marketplace to simplify public sector procurement, abolish the E-Levy, and ensure that holders of GhanaCard do not need to complete additional forms to apply for passports.
The government will collaborate with industry players to make more spectrum available to operators at affordable prices, including for 5G, and will eliminate import duties on mobile phones until local manufacturing capacity is established in Ghana.
