President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
The president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has officially started launching the journey to the change that he promised to offer the nation during his campaign for the presidency. Ghanaians, for about 8 years, were subjected to economic hardship and pain. So they later decided to give Ghana's "political saviour" a chance to liberate them from the manacles and shackles of the Mahama-led administration.
The journey to fixing the problems and rots perpetrated by the Mahama-led administration will not be easy, but with determination, commitment, fidelity and sense of purpose the government will make Ghanaians prouder and happier.
The "Better Ghana Agenda" was the worst agenda in the 4th republic, considering its implementation. Ghanaians had one of the most corrupt regimes in Africa under the leadership of the proponents of the so-called "Better Ghana Agenda." It was a mere campaign slogan aimed at canvassing for votes.
Ghanaians are more discerning now than before, and will take a critical look at the officials of the new administration. The attention of Ghanaians will be more critical under the Akufo-Addo administration because they have higher expectations, and considering the fact that Ghanaians see the New Patriotic Party as having more competent people.
The late president Mills was hailed us a man of peace and love, but the new president’s conduct is sending a better and stronger signal out there that he is a unifier, man of peace who respects the rights of everyone. Alan Kyeremanteng had contested Akufo-Addo in three different congresses for the flagbearership of the NPP. But the president, regardless of having Mr Kyeremanteng as his main contender, embraced him and made him a leading member of his campaign team and has, subsequently, nominated him as a Trade and Industry minister-designate. He has demonstrated that he believes in competence and competition. On the contrary, we witnessed a bad blood between Dr. Ekow Spio Garbrah and the late professor Mills, which resulted in Spio Garbrah being sidelined by the then Mills’ administration. Dr Spio Garbrah in reaction to the way he was treated described Mills’ appointees as ‘’ Team B.’’
Now, let us consider the ministers-designate closely. It is crystal clear that the president means business, and is not in government to give the nation ‘gloomy’ satisfaction. The mess that the Mahama-led NDC administration left behind calls for people with exceptional competence and technical knowhow to fix. The president has given the nation people of high pedigree, experience and clairvoyance. A typical example is a Yale University Alumini and astute investment banker, Ken Ofori-Atta, who has been designated to the Finance Ministry. He co-founded the first investment bank in the history of Ghana, and this was done under a military regime, when others were running into exile and some seeking asylum in other countries.
These are very honest and incorruptible characters that will run the affairs of the nation devoid of propaganda and corruption, which had characterized our governance system for the past 8 years.
The president, the Daily Statesman believes, must compulsorily mentor the ministers-designate. He has proven beyond all reasonable doubt that he is one of the most patriotic leaders Ghana can ever have.
We would want to assure once again that we monitor closely the conduct of all government officials, in order to ensure that they give Ghanaians their best.
