4 promises NPP is yet to fulfil aside RTI and Free SHS

The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) is now over two years in office and has endured mixed reactions in that period.

While the Akufo-Addo government has undoubtedly chalked some successes, there is still a lot to be done.

Prior to the 2016 general elections, the then opposition NPP made a series of promises to Ghanaians, some of which they are yet to fulfil.

The party has, however, managed to achieve its flagship campaign promise, which was the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) programme.

On Tuesday, March 26, 2019 the Right to Information Bill (RTI) was also passed – a good 20 years after it was drafted.

So, let’s take a look at some four promises that the NPP is still yet to fulfil:

1. Provide quality healthcare delivery for all citizens Healthcare delivery is very important for every country across the world.

In Ghana though, the sector seems to be on life support.

Many hospitals and healthcare facilities continue to lack the basic amenities which would help to treat patients.

The NPP promised to improve the health sector, but as it stands, very little has been done by the government, especially in rural areas.

The decision to procure ambulances for all the districts is a massive move which deserves commendation, but generally, the health sector is still struggling.

2. The establishment of one factory in every district across the country Another flagship campaign promise of the NPP is the One District, One Factory (1DIF) initiative.

The Akufo-Addo government promised to establish a factory in every district across the country.

While some of this has also been achieved, it is still short of what was promised.

You could argue that the NPP government still has two years to go, but the fact is that if it has failed to deliver half of this promise in two years, how will the rest be achieved in the less than two years left?

Remember, this is a campaign promise that was supposed to be achieved in the NPP’s first four years in office.

So, as it stands, it is a promise government is struggling to achieve in totality.

3. They promised to create jobs for all One of the most controversial areas in Ghanaian politics is the creation of jobs and, fortunately, the NPP promised to solve this problem.

A large number of the youth are without jobs, with graduates also struggling to make ends meet after completing the university.

The Akufo-Addo government came up with the NABCo modules to help save the situation, but the fact is, even that is not working.

Not only are the NABCo employees taking meagre salaries, but they also haven’t even been paid yet for the past four months.

Nursing and teacher trainees who haven’t been posted yet are also complaining and have already embarked on a series of demonstrations.

It is, therefore, clear that the creation of jobs is an area the NPP government is yet to fulfil their promise on.

4. Stabilising the cedi The case of the Ghana cedi has become an embarrassment for the NPP government due to what they said they would do while in opposition.

The party said it would stabilise the currency exchange rate through prudent and disciplined macroeconomic management and an increase in exports.

However, the situation has been different since the NPP came into office as the cedi continues to depreciate.

Earlier this year, the cedi went past the ¢5 mark to a dollar after hitting a record low in terms of depreciation.

As of March 13, 2019, the cedi had declined to 5.55 per dollar, which was its weakest level since Bloomberg started keeping the records in 1994.

Although the local currency has begun appreciating again, it has still not reached the level many expected, especially based on the NPP’s own promises.