Election 2024: I will scrap import duty on mobile phones, reduce data costs, Bawumia assures

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Vice Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has pledged to eliminate import duties on mobile phones and reduce the cost of data to make digital tools more accessible to the youth.

Speaking at a mini rally at Nhyiaeso in the Ashanti Region on Monday (18 November) Dr Bawumia emphasized the NPP’s commitment to easing the financial burden on the youth, who heavily rely on mobile technology for communication, education, and entrepreneurship.

“I know the youth love mobile phones, and I want to assure you that we will eliminate the import duty on mobile phones to make them cheaper. Additionally, we will bring down the cost of data so you can connect, communicate, and make calls affordably,” he stated to a rousing reception from the crowd.

The pledge comes amid growing criticisms of the rising cost of mobile devices and data in Ghana, which have made access to digital resources increasingly challenging for many.

Stakeholders and consumer advocacy groups have repeatedly flagged the impact of these high costs on young people, who form a significant part of the population and are heavily reliant on mobile technology for daily activities.

Digital skills for 5000 youth

Dr. Bawumia also reiterated the NPP’s broader commitment to empowering the youth and creating a digital economy that drives growth and opportunities.

He announced a plan to provide digital skills training to 5,000 young people in the Nhyiaeso Constituency, including school dropouts.

The initiative is part of his broader agenda to train one million Ghanaian youth in digital skills such as coding and remote working.

Reject Mahama

The Vice President also made a strong case for his presidency indicating that his unblemished record makes him the best candidate for the country’s top job.

“Mahama who is staging a comeback will govern for only four years. In my view he will not be accountable for his stewardship.  I will be in office for eight years; by then I would come to you for another to showcase my works and so give me the steer for development

Reporting By Jonathan Ofori, Asaase Newsroom, Kumasi

Asaase Broadcasting Company airs on Asaase 99.5 Accra, Asaase 98.5 Kumasi, Asaase 99.7 Tamale, Asaase 100.3 Cape Coast, AsaasePa 107.3 (Accra).
Affiliates: Bawku FM 101.5, Bead FM 99.9 (Bimbilla), Mining City Radio 89.5 (Tarkwa), Nandom FM 101.9, Nyatefe Radio 94.5 (Dzodze), Sissala Radio 96.3 (Tumu), Somuaa FM 89.9 (Gushegu), Stone City 90.7 (Ho) and Wale FM 106.9 (Walewale).
Listen online: asaaseradio.com, Sound Garden and TuneIn.
Follow us:
X: @asaaseradio995, @Asaase985ksi, @Asaase997tamale, @asaase1003, asaasepa1073
Instagram: asaaseradio99.5, asaase985ksi, asaase100.3, asaase99.7tamale, asaasepa107.3
LinkedIn: company/asaaseradio995. TikTok: @asaaseradio99.5
Facebook: asaase99.5, asaase985ksi, Asaase100.3, asaase99.7, AsaasePa107.3.
YouTube: AsaaseRadioXtra.
Join the conversation. Accra: call 020 000 9951/054 888 8995, WhatsApp 020 000 0995. Kumasi: call 059 415 7985 or call/WhatsApp 020 631 5260. Tamale: call/WhatsApp/SMS 053 554 6468. Cape Coast: call/WhatsApp 059 388 2652.
#AsaaseRadio
#AsaasePa
#TheVoiceofOurLand

The post Election 2024: I will scrap import duty on mobile phones, reduce data costs, Bawumia assures appeared first on Asaase Radio.