Former President John Mahama says the next NDC administration will offer several tax reliefs to the private sector, especially Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs).

He said this will enable them recover and get back to their full operating capacities post Covid-19.

The NDC flagbearer believes will ensure that firms expand their scope of production and employ more Ghanaians.

Addressing leadership of Organised Labour and Professional Groups at Ho Technical University as part of his Volta Regional tour, Mr Mahama said he is committed to achieving economic acceleration by creating jobs and curbing unemployment.

“Within the first three months of 2021, I will lay before Parliament several bills that will seek to grant tax reliefs to SMEs. Effective 2021, small businesses will be exempted completely from corporate income tax."

Also, “corporate income tax for medium size companies will be reduced from the current 25% to 15%" while “newly established medium-sized companies that employ staff up to 20 will be completely exempted from the payment of corporate income tax for one year.”

 Again, “all newly established medium enterprises that employ more than 20 staff will be exempted completely from the payment of corporate income tax for two years,” he emphasised.

While pledging to continue and complete all critical ongoing projects, the former president expressed disappointment in the Akufo-Addo led administration for making no “real effort to create an economy that generates prosperity”.

In this regard, he noted that, a $10 billion Big Push Initiative is expected to be launched by his administration.

“The $10 billion investment in Infrastructural Development for Economic Transformation will be made over five years to achieve that critical upgrade in social and economic infrastructure, which will create a platform for the transformation of our economy in furtherance of our One Million Jobs Plan.

“With this $10 billion investment, we will stimulate the economy by sourcing locally available materials and products for the execution of projects.”

Outlining some policies in the yet to be launched manifesto of the party, Mr Mahama said while measures will be put in place to provide shelters for abused women and children, his party will also work towards attaining a minimum of 30% of all appointments going to women.

He added that maternity leave will be increased from three to four months and a free primary health care plan implemented for all Ghanaians.

Touching on the financial sector, Mr Mahama pledged to pay, within one year, all who have funds locked up with the collapsed financial institutions.

"Do not despair. Hope is on the horizon. The new NDC administration is going to energise the economic acceleration of this country so that we can create jobs for our young people; so that our investment will be into production rather than consumption.

"It is only in that way that we can build a country that works for all of us. It is only in that way that we can create opportunities for all in our country, and not a select few," he concluded.