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Introduction
The two main political parties in Ghana, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), launched their manifestos a few months ahead of the Dec. 7 elections. The two parties have penned many policies and promises, with the NDC promising to reset the economy, which they believe is on the wrong path. In contrast, the NPP promises a performance upgrade to complement its achievements within its two terms of rule.
The manifestos have generated national discussions, with various political actors and communicators competing on multiple platforms. The communicators for the two parties have accused each other of stealing policies original to their parties.
Both manifestos have similar policies and promises. DUBAWA highlights job creation, education, economy, and health similarities in both manifestos.
Similarities in job creation policies
Both parties have acknowledged the need to create job opportunities to ensure that citizens earn income to enhance their standard of living. With job creation, both parties promised to recruit several youths to work in the digital and coding field in their manifesto.
Under the One Million Coders Programme, the NDC has promised to train and recruit one million young Ghanaians in coding, WebApp development, and software engineering.
A screenshot of the NDC’s promise on digital jobs is on page 19. Image Source: NDC Manifesto
The NPP, on the other hand, has promised to train 1,000,000 Ghanaian youth in ‘digital skills’ to help expose them to jobs outside Ghana while they live there.
A screenshot of NPP’s promise of digital skills on page 22. Image Source: NPP manifesto.
Similarities in educational policies
Both parties have promised free tertiary education for PWDs (Persons with disability) to ease the financial burdens associated with pursuing educational goals. The NPP has dubbed it ‘Free Tertiary Education Scholarships for PWDs,’ whereas the NDC says it is Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities.
Both parties have also promised to continue the ‘Free Senior High Secondary School’ policy, which is currently being implemented.
Similarities in economic policies
When elected in the Dec. 7 elections, the NPP and the NDC promised to scrap some existing taxes to ease citizens’ economic burdens.
The NDC has promised to scrap what they describe as ‘draconian taxes’ in their first 100 days of office to alleviate hardships. The draconian taxes include:
- E-levy
- COVID levy
- 10% levy on bet winnings
- Emissions levy
- Import duty on vehicles and equipment imported for agricultural and industrial purposes.
On the other hand, the NPP has also promised to abolish the betting tax and the E-levy and merge all levies into a single line-item levy. The manifesto pledges to treat all merged levies as part of ‘input and output Value Added Tax.’
Again, both parties have promised to ‘rationalise’ port charges to reduce the burden on importers. The NPP has promised a flat rate for importers to bring price stability to imported goods and inputs.
Similar gender-specific economic policy
Concerning empowering women in business, the NDC has promised to establish a Women’s Development Bank to support enterprises led and owned by women. The Women’s Development Bank will offer low-interest loans to boost women-owned businesses.
Similarly, the NPP has promised to establish a Women’s Trade Empowerment Fund (WoTEF) to support women-owned businesses.
Similarities in health policies
Interestingly, both manifestos have promised to complete the construction of 111 district hospitals across the country under the ‘Agenda 111’ policy. This will help both parties employ more healthcare professionals.
Both parties have promised vehicle incentives for health professionals. The NPP has promised incentives for health professionals to buy one vehicle with an engine capacity of up to 1,800cc. Similarly, the NDC promises to introduce a “vehicle tax waiver scheme” under a well-regulated system.
Screenshot of NPP’s promises on health. Image Source: NPP manifesto
Conclusion
Although both parties, the NDC and the NPP, are campaigning for voters to give them the mandate to rule for the next four years, there are several intersections in their promises on job creation, education, economy and health.
