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The only party with practical programmes is NPP — Nana
Akufo-Addo
Kumasi, Sept. 23, Ghanadot/GNA – Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo,
NPP flagbearer has stated that, the party remained the only
party which has values and practical programmes to transform
the country to join the first class nations as soon as
possible.
He said the country stood on the brink of unprecedented
opportunities, adding, “the goal of the next NPP government
is to get to a first class country and be able to stand with
other nations with dignity.”
Addressing party faithful at a launch of the NPP’s manifesto
for the 2008 general elections in Kumasi on Tuesday, Nana
Akufo-Addo pointed out that, the task ahead of the next NPP
government was to embark on structural transformation of the
economy and modernize the Ghanaian society in the true
democratic governance.
Among those present at the launch was Alhaji Aliu Mahama,
Vice President, who praised Nana Akufo-Addo for his
fortitude and vision, which had led to the building of a
solid team to propel the programme of the party to move the
nation forward.
Other dignitaries present were Ministers of state, MPs and
members of the Diplomatic Corps.
The manifesto is focused on four thematic areas. These are
strengthening the country’s democracy, structural
transformation of the economy and industrialization,
regional and continental integration as well as the
modernization of the Ghanaian society.
Specifically, the party seeks to reduce the financial
difficulties facing the manufacturing sector by proposing to
establish a one-billion-dollar fund to support small and
medium enterprises in the manufacturing sector.
The Party also proposes to expand the coverage of the Export
Development and Investment Fund (EDIF) to enable more
exporters to have access to finance, reduce corporate tax
from the current 25 to 15 per cent and establish business
roundtable every quarter to listen to concerns of the
private sector.
The next NPP government, as proposed in the manifesto, will
also develop an integrated aluminium industry, develop iron
and steel industry and make judicious use of the oil money
by investing in projects that will open up the economy and
also use waste products from the oil industry to produce
plastic.
Other highlights in the manifesto are the deepening of
democratic governance by promoting national debate on the
need to elect DCEs, pass the freedom of information bill,
establishing e-governance centre and district land
authorities to facilitate easy acquisition of lands for
development.
It will also submit, within 100 days in power, the Northern
Affirmation Bill to parliament to promote and speed up the
development process in the three northern regions.
The next NPP government will also review the National Youth
Council decree to make it relevant to modern trends,
institute youth enterprise fund, further strengthening of
the banking sector to make Ghana the financial hub in the
West African sub-region and also make sure that the informal
sector is attracted to the formal sector in order to have
easy access to financial services.
Nana Akufo-Addo said the transformation of the economy and
the modernization of the Ghanaian society would require the
strengthening of the education, health and the public
sectors adding that, the next NPP government intended to
expand access to tertiary education by making sure that each
region had a university, while senior high school education
would also be free.
He said, never in the history of the country had it
witnessed unprecedented expansion in its infrastructure and
social services than the NPP administration and mentioned
the implementation of the national health insurance scheme,
capitation grant, good access roads and good governance,
among others adding that, the next NPP government would
consolidate on these achievements.
The flagbearer said there should be a conscious and
deliberate effort by the country to transform its economy
from the dependence of primary exports to value addition and
the manufacturing sector and produce goods and services that
were hitherto imported locally to create jobs for the
people.
Nana Akufo-Addo called for peaceful, free and fair elections
in December pointing out that, “there is no need for a
single pint of blood to be shared in the upcoming
elections”.
He said the NPP would continue to embark on campaign of
ideas, concentrating of its programmes and issues and called
on other parties to do the same.
Mr Peter Mac Manu, Chairman of NPP said the party had proved
that it had credible programme and competent people to
execute them and called on Ghanaians to renew the mandate of
the party to continue its good works.
Other speakers were Mr Alan Kyeremanten, Miss Shirley
Ayorkor Botwe, Miss Gloria Akuffo, Mr Agyarko Kyeremanteng
and Mr Hamid Mustapha, who briefed the gathering on the
contents in the various thematic areas of the manifesto.
GNA
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