NDC outdoors "A Better Ghana," manifesto

Accra, Oct. 4, GNA - The main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Saturday raised its campaign strategy to a higher level to capture political power at the December 7th general polls with a captivating launch of its Election 2008 manifesto. The manifesto dubbed; "A Better Ghana: Investing in People, Jobs and the Economy," focuses on four main thematic areas for accelerated national development.

The new NDC pro-active transforming policy commitment seeks for transparent and accountable governance; building a stronger economy for real jobs leading to investing in people and expanding infrastructure for economic growth.


Launching the manifesto, Professor John Evans Atta Mills, NDC Election 2008 Flag bearer rolled out the agenda for the first 100 days of his administration from January 2009.


He said the New NDC government would establish a lean but effective and efficient government by cutting out ostentation and profligate expenditure; rationalizing ministries and ministerial appointments; and promoting service, humility and integrity as cannons of government. Initiate various tax and tariff measures designed to provide relief for Ghanaians; ensure prompt and effective implementation of existing legislation such as the Person with Disability Act and the Whistleblowers Act.


"My administration would also review and reconstitute the membership of Commissions and Boards, solely on the basis of expertise and competence; eschewing all partisan and familial considerations," Prof Mills stated.


The Prof Mills' 100-Days measures also focused on protecting the safety and security of Ghanaians by streamlining, harmonizing and resourcing the agencies of state with responsibility for ensuring the security of life and the safety of property. Prof Mills said his government would take bold and comprehensive measures to deal with the appalling filth in the communities, and the related health problems of the people caused by inadequate, inappropriate and ineffective waste management systems and practices. The NDC Flag bearer said within two years of assumption of office, his Cabinet would present to Parliament a co-ordinated programme of economic and social development, including agriculture and industrial programmes at all levels, in all sector and in all regions of Ghana as required under Article 36(50 of the Constitution.

He said the next NDC government would significantly reduce current troubling and unacceptable trends in infant and maternal mortality, review the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to provide coverage for basic healthcare for all and review the unwieldy bureaucracy and palpable corruption of the scheme.


Review and streamline Public Sector Wages with the view to boosting productivity and towards paying decent wages for the working people and vigorously promote and support quality healthcare for the people. The next NDC Government would also mobilise additional external resources to be able to expand and improve the quality of the School Feeding Programme to cover all primary schools countrywide. He said the Capitation Grant would be reviewed to ensure that it is in accordance with the true and proper requirements of the provisions of the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE). Review the GETFUND Act, by decentralising the utilisation of the Fund to the educational institutions themselves and with the participation of students.


Provide a remuneration structure that will make public sector managers and employees, including civil servants, teachers and health sector workers, productive, effective and efficient and sponsor legislation to establish an Election Fund, from which polling agents of political parties and of candidates would benefit for training and on Election Day.


Prof. Atta Mills said within the first two years, his government would review all land transactions in which public lands had been sold to provide individuals and companies in contravention of the constitutional requirement for the first option of purchase of such lands to have been made to their previous owners. Mr John Dramani Mahama, NDC Running Mate and wife, Mrs. Naadu Mills wife of Prof. Atta Mills; former President Jerry John Rawlings and wife Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, Mrs. Berthy Mould Iddrisu, leading member of the party and a large number of party faithful thronged the venue to herald the launch.