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March 11, 2016

 

Press Release

NPP

22nd August 2013



“THE NEW PATRIOTIC PARTY (NPP) AND THE  DEEPENING OF THE DEMOCRATIC CULTURE AND PRACTICE IN GHANA”


A PAPER DELIVERED @ THE PARTY’S 21ST ANNIVERSARY LECTURE @ THE OSU PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HALL ON THURSDAY 22ND AUGUST 2013
BY HON. PROF. MIKE OQUAYE

 
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Aims and Objectives of the NLM


The published aims and objects of the NLM reflected the objectives of the UGCC and the democratic principles the party has always stood for till today. The included the following:


• To quicken the achievement of self-government and help build a prosperous, healthy, tolerant and God-fearing Nation;
• To secure due recognition of the economic, social and cultural background of the respective regions of the Gold Coast and work out a federal or any better form of Constitution to give the country an effective voice in the regional and Central Government of the country;
• To banish lawlessness, intimidation, hooliganism, disregard for age and authority, suppression of individual conscience and all traces of communism;
• To establish respect for efficiency, integrity and honest labour;
• To honour, respect and be loyal to our traditional rulers and uphold the best in our culture;
• To encourage good neighbourliness among the people of the villages, towns and regions;
• To safeguard the interest of farmers and workers;
• To foster friendly relations between the Gold Coast and Commonwealth and other democratic nations.

From the early 1950s Nkrumah justified his condemnation of Western democracy with the argument that Ghana’s traditional system has one chief and monolithic not pluralistic in all its dimensions. But our leaders saw it differently. The Fante Confederacy, Ashanti Confederacy, and the Ga State knew of a system which contained States which are autonomous in many ways. The head of the Union does not appoint the other chiefs. They assume their stools through the lineage system. In the words of Bowdich, the individual Ashanti chief “palatine privileges” even though the Asantehene possessed rights of over-lordship in respect of war service and other jurisdiction, through not in landholding.

Diffusion of power and decentralized authority were the essence of native administration. Notably, the Chief did not appoint the members of the Chief’s Council. The members were all sub-chiefs who came to the Council as of right, being heads of lineages which made the township. Lands were owned by small chiefs “odikros” and heads of families owned lands and governed in their own mini-parameters. All roads never led to Rome as Nkrumah wanted all roads to lead to Accra. On the eve of independence, these were real issues. Our people wanted diffusion of power or countervailing authority. Our opponents did not understand. Curiously, today President Mahama and others are calling for power-sharing. When we asked for regional autonomy to ensure countervailing authority, they called our leaders nation wreckers.

It should also be remembered that the NLM essentially wanted guarantees to the liberty of the various regions/areas of Ghana. They actually called for federalism or regional devolution or any other arrangement that would recognize authority apart from the Centre. Apart from the size of the USA, the federalist arrangement was also to underscore the liberty of all who were coming into the Union. Switzerland is a small nation with a confederation Constitution which gives vast autonomy to the Cantons.


In Ghana itself, it should not be forgotten that as part of the pre-independence compromise, Regional Assemblies were established under the 1957 Constitution which paved the way for independence. Regrettably, within one year, Nkrumah had used the CPP majority to dissolve the Regional Assemblies. Today, as we struggle for the true decentralization, let us congratulate the founders of our tradition.

The Danquah-Busia-Dombo Tradition in Government


Ghanaians complain that we do not have enough to show for our independence since 1957. The answer is simple: The Danquah-Busia-Dombo Tradition has only governed for ten years and three months out of 57 years. President Kufuor put it right when he blamed our plight on poor leadership. He echoed that mentorship is crucial to good leadership. Of course he remembered his own tutorship under Busia, Paa Willie and Victor Owusu as Deputy Minister. I am firmly of the view that but for the Acheampong interruption, he would have been President ten years earlier, after systematic progression to Minister and then President. Talents were wasted for several years as good materials waited on the wings for 18 years of Rawlings PNDC/NDC rule.
Let me make a little point about mentoring. President Kufuor is on record recounting how Busia helped him get admitted to Oxford. So, Busia’s eyes on him went far. President Kufuor did same for some young people. Let us make serious mentoring a core policy to recognize young talents, and groom them actively for leadership.

The Busia Regime


The Busia era was a golden age of good governance to be guided by the 1969 Constitution also known as the Akufo-Addo Constitution. By the Preamble to the Constitution, the people of Ghana resolved never again to allow themselves to be subjected to tyrannical rule; and the Constitution ensured the sovereignty of the people, the Rule of Law and guaranteed fundamental human rights including FREEDOM of thought, expression and religion; JUSTICE to all men in every aspect of their lives-social, economic and political; RESPECT for the dignity of every individual and EQUALITY of opportunity. The Constitution provided that any activity of a person, persons, or group of persons which suppressed or sought to suppress lawful political activity of any other person or persons would be an unlawful act and gave the Supreme Court power to grant injunctions against offenders and punish them where necessary, even with imprisonment. In the light of this similar arrangement a new era of political freedom boomed and all opposition groups freely organized themselves and freely criticized the government and propagated their own idea.

The independence of the Judiciary was ensured and the Constitution provided that the judicial power of Ghana should be vested only in the Judiciary and no other body should have any final judicial power.

The Busia Administration that ruled Ghana from late 1969 to January, 1972, pursued a laissez-faire policy and upheld fundamental human rights and liberties. Nobody was detained for political reasons. Freedom of the Press flourished and the Opposition spoke freely both in Parliament and through several newspapers including the popular Spokesman. The government rightly saw rural development as crucial to economic growth, in that it would first of all lay the foundation for self-sufficiency in food. Secondly, it would prevent the drift of young men to urban areas in search for non-existing white collar jobs. Thirdly, it would boost the cocoa industry, the backbone of the nation’s economy by keeping the famers on the land and making them happy and content.
A ministry for rural development was established. An integrated waste management programme was commenced with Israeli support. It was abandoned by acheampong and we are paying for the consequences. Industries began to boom. Busia boldly tackled the currency disparities through devaluation which was misinterpreted by adventurers who deposed him by the gun. His successors were to devalue thousand times over the years.

The Kufuor Administration


The Kufuor government displayed an excellent record of good governance. The separation of powers and the independence of the Judiciary and Legislature were respected. The Media never experienced such freedom. The Criminal Libel Law was repealed. The Rule of Law prevailed and fundamental human rights were respected. Corruption was tackled through institutional reforms. Good governance earned Ghana US$547 million from the US government through the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA). Which government earned such a colossal amount free of charge for Ghana for doing things right?

A few areas will be emphasised to showcase the Danquah-Busia-Dombo Tradition on wheels under the Kufuor administration.

Law and Order


Major reforms of the legal system were undertaken under Kufuor. These include:
• Reducing significantly the delays in trials by automating the courts (Fast Track Courts) Some stood against this for personal reasons. Today we all see the good effect;
• Using law as a tool for development by supporting the creation of commercial courts and the Business Law Division of the Attorney General's Department;
• Using law as a tool for the promotion and protection of fundamental human rights and freedoms. For example, the right of freedom and expression by repealing the Criminal Libel Law;
• The Judiciary, Military, Police and all law enforcement agencies have received the highest ever budgetary support to fulfil their mandate. Recruitment and service conditions received quantitative and qualitative boost.


We did the following for the Military


• The 37 Military Hospital was expanded and considerably refurbished. Today it provides about the finest medical services to both the military and civilians alike.
• A second Military Hospital was planned for Kumasi and a loan secured.
• The construction of the Burma Hall, the Ministry of Defence Building and the provision of a number of new residential buildings in all garrisons and the rehabilitation of old and dilapidated residential buildings have all gone a long way to boost the morale of soldiers.
• An amount of US$60 million was provided to ensure that all Peacekeeping Missions are provided with sufficient equipment. An additional facility of US$100 million provided to equip the army.
• Two planes bought to equip the Air Force and the Navy to ensure national security. We went for value for money. Those who condemned us have bought more planes and refused to do tender or value for money before purchase.
• Adequate preparation made for release and resettlement of soldiers through training.

Economy


We are the people who boldly embraced HIPC and came out with flying colours. Our opponents condemned the move and walked out of Parliament. But NDC MPs soon saw the excellence in us as they ate humble pie and joined the band wagon for HIPC projects.

Upon assuming office in 2001, we inherited a tattered economy– GDP growth rate was 3.7%; Inflation stood at 41%; On the interest rate front, the Bank of Ghana Base rate was over 50% with the 91-Day Treasury Bill Rate at 40.5%. Total Debt as a ratio of Gross Domestic Product stood at 189%. International Reserves stood at US$ 253 million, adequate for three weeks of import cover.

Under Kufuor inflation was brought down to 18% by 2008 in spite of the serious rise in global oil and food.

By 2008, the interest rate front, the Bank of Ghana Base rate stood at a mere 17% while the 91-Day Treasury Bill rate declined to 24%. This made it possible to expand total credit to the private sector from 12.5% of GDP in 2000 to 28.4% of GDP in 2007. With the cost of borrowing reduced significantly, the private sector was in a better position to access credit to expand their businesses.

We improved our external reserve position from US$ 253 million in 2000 to US$ 2.3 billion (equivalent of three months cover) as at year end 2007. There was no oil then! Given oil, we say that Ghana should give us the administration and free SHS is possible.
One problem with the NDC from 2009 is that they did not know how to manage such a gargantuan economy with oil money on top. All they could see was, create, loot and share. It was not for nothing that in our time, Banks were inviting people for loans. And the domestic gas people were tooting car horns for people to come for gas in front of their gates. You know the difference? It is qualitative management of limited resources.

Through the bold HIPC arrangements, which resulted in an external forgiveness of some US$ 5 billion and the restructuring of the maturity profile of our external debt, Ghana's total debt service declined from 15.6% in 2000 to 4.9% by year end 2006. The greatly reduced debt burden on the economy released significant amounts of scarce foreign exchange resources, which would otherwise have been used to service these debts, for construction of roads, hospitals, schools and meeting other social needs of our people.

The ultimate proof of our superior management of the Ghanaian economy has been our ability to grow the economy, in nominal GDP terms, from US$ 3.9 billion in 2000 to US$ 16.3 billion in 2008. In this process, per capita income in 2008 was nearly US$ 600 as compared to a little over US$ 300 in 2000. As a result, poverty levels were cut by over a third – from 39% of the population in1998/1999 to 28% by 2006/2007.

These spectacular successes engendered that invisible factor which is vital in economics- confidence in the Ghanaian economy. It made possible the significant inflows of foreign direct investment, particularly in the banking, energy, and oil and gas exploration fields. Pensioners, workers and beggars all began to feel a difference in their lives. This is why people are moaning today.

Developing Rural North


The NPP Government initiated the Northern Rural Growth Programme (NRGP) with a budget of US$103 million. It was to cover 32 out of 34 districts of the three northern regions of Ghana with the aim of improving the living standards of rural residents.
The NDC re-named the project and have nothing to show today apart from less than 100 guinea fowls.

Industry


In industry, the Kufuor government supported the export sector with more aggressive export promotion activities. For example, from 2002, the Export Development and Investment Fund (EDIF) invested nearly ¢700 billion in export promotion with 28% going into agro-processing. We also reduced corporate tax from 35%. These taxes have not only increased but now ones have been imposed on cutlasses and condoms. These were all done in the government's pursuit of making the private sector the major force behind the growth of our economy. As a result of these reforms, the country was adjudged as one of the top ten countries with the most reformed economy in the world to do business in. Ghana was recognised as a fully fledged "emerging economy" with the concomitant record inflows of foreign direct investment (FDI). Our middle income status was recognized and our President later given a global prize.

Education


We have reformed the structure and content of basic education to include 2 years of kindergarten. The School Feeding Programme, Capitation Grant and free Metro Bus rides for children brought children into the classroom and improved Girl child Education. In 2008, enrolment in public basic school stood at almost 5 million compared to 2.7 million in 2000. Pre-School enrolment doubled. Primary school and Junior High School enrolment increased by 50%. Senior High School enrolment more than doubled (See table below).

Level No. of Schools Enrolment

 

  2000/01  2007/08 2000/01  2007/08  
Pre-School  5,976 11,140 649,677 1,258,483  
Primary 11,916 13,247  2,477,990 3,622,724  
JHS 6,133  7,267 804,419 1,224,964  
SHS 474 493 204,000  454,681  

Teachers at the basic school level were paid five times more than what they were paid in the year 2000.


Enrolment in public universities more than doubled – from 40,670 in 2000/01 to 88,445 in 2006/07. Enrolment in polytechnics also rose by more than 50% in that period from 18,470 in 2000/2001 to 28,695 in 2006/2007.

 

Level No. of Institutions Enrolment

  2000/01 2007/08 2000/01 2007/08  % increase
University 5 6 40,670 88,45 117%
Private Univ 4 16 1,667 18,278 996%
Polytechnic 10 10 18,470 28,965 55%
Professional Ins. 3 3 2,013 4,350 116%



Health


The NPP Kufuor-led Government introduced the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in 2003 to replace the inhumane "cash-and-carry" system under the NDC. The NHIS was first mooted in 1970 by the Progress Party under Professor K.A. Busia who constituted a committee headed by Dr. Konotey Ahulu to study the concept and make appropriate recommendations. The NHIS, by 2008 covered about half the population (11.3 million Ghanaians). The NHIS provided free healthcare for children below 18 and the elderly over the age of 70. Over 6 million children and 400,000 elderly also benefited from the service. All pregnant women also had free maternal care. Under the NHIS, HIV positive individuals also received highly subsidised anti-retroviral medicines.
The introduction of the NHIS led to a three-fold increase in hospital attendance in some areas.

The NDC walked out of Parliament when the programme was being debated. Soon, they were grabbing the benefits.

Energy


Bui Dam, which was the dream of Governor Guggisberg in the 1920s, became a reality under the NPP government. President Kufuor cut the sod for work to begin at the site in August 2007.

The recent oil discovery in our deep waters off-shore was not by accident. We struck oil because of the sound policies of the NPP government. The oil had always been there but the 19 years of (P) NDC rule could neither create the conducive investment climate nor the managerial direction for the oil to be found. The NPP government restructured and refocused the work of the GNPC and provided the conducive business environment to attract committed investors to our off-shore oil fields.

Fighting Corruption


Corruption constitutes a social canker and must be dealt with. The NPP believes that corruption is not combated with mere slogans but by comprehensive policy measures and action. By December 2000, the NDC had given up on the fight against corruption. The President at that time told Parliament that "government on its part has extended an invitation to the World Bank to conduct a diagnostic study on corruption in Ghana and how it can be mitigated if not eradicated" (Hansard 13th January 2000, Col. 112).


The NPP government fought corruption with policies including:


• stimulation of transparency and freedom to write about actions of officials following the repeal of the Criminal libel Law
• enhancement of the Procurement Act to check abuse in public procurement
• maintenance of probity and elimination of payroll abuse through the Financial Administration Act and Internal Audit Act
• Unprecedented empowerment of the anti-corruption agencies, CHRAJ, Police, Serious Fraud Office (SFO), and the courts.

Others


Ghana went beyond 750,000 metric tonnes in cocoa production through good policies injected into the industry which our political opponents condemned.
A three thousand tractors supply was arranged from India. A Tractor Assembly Plant was commenced in Tema. It is now abandoned because the NDC government will not appreciate the vision.

The Danquah-Busia-Dombo Tradition and the Electoral Process.
The essence of the political game and the competitive process inherent in politics have an ultimate goal-to win elections and have the opportunity to implement one’s political vision or agenda.

In 1951, the British held elections to enable Africans practice the game and prepare for self government. The CPP won over the UGCC and Nkrumah became Leader of Government Business.
In 1954, elections were held again with one aim: the British would hand over to the winner. Our tradition contested the elections as Ghana Congress Party (GCP) and lost heavily. All our leading politicians failed tragically except Busia.

In the Ashanti Region ( which then included Brong Ahafo) Busia won a lone seat for us, beating C.E. Donkor with only eleven (11) votes. Victor Owusu, Joe Appiah and others were with CPP and won seats for them.

This tragedy could have sounded the death knell of the tradition but for the fact that the CPP’s dictatorial tendencies began to show. The CPP scorned the famous farmers and put the cocoa price at 72 shillings a load while the world price had shot up tremendously. The Party picked its 1954 candidates from Accra and disregarded internal party democracy, thus creating the well-known CPP rebels. These people had helped win the 1951 elections for the CPP and now they were being shown the essence of socialist “democratic centralism”. Nkrumah had threatened the chiefs of Ghana and treated them with contempt. He was becoming a socialist despot .

Hence, the National Liberation Movement (NLM) reared its head led by Baafour Osei Akoto. The demand for federalism was a power-sharing cry which came out of suspicion. The colonial government would not have minded the NLM but for death in an accident of the CPP Member for Atwima-Nwabiagya. In the ensuing bye-election the NLM won overwhelmingly. The opposition demanded that the CPP had lost its mandate and that if a fresh election was held, the CPP would lose.

The colonial government called a fresh election and the CPP won 72 out of 104 seats. Hence, Nkrumah became Prime Minister and led Ghana at independence.

The Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition did suffer electorally. In fact, at one point, when we were abysmally down, S.D. Dombo gave us a lifelime by allowing Busia to become Opposition Leader though he (Dombo) had won more seats through the Northern People’s Party (NPP),

 

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