NDC to reform key institutions for accelerated growth

Accra, Oct. 4, GNA - The National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Saturday set-out a blue-print for promoting an agenda for Good Governance to ensure accelerated growth for a better Ghana. Mrs. Berthy Mould Iddrisu, a leading member of the party stated in Accra that the Government of Professor John Evans Atta Mills would reform critical aspects of the governance which includes enhancing the role of parliament.

Reading aspects of the NDC Election 2008 Manifesto dubbed; A Better Ghana: Investing in People, Jobs and the Economy," Mrs. Idrrisu said the NDC would initiate democratic stakeholders discussion on the functions of parliament to develop firm proposals for reforming the legislature to ensure that it performs its role effectively, without compromising its independence.

In deepening the Separation of Powers, the new NDC government would adhere to the Constitutional space provided for parliament to define its financial needs, and for these to be satisfied within the limits of public resources without undue delays and unwarranted cut-backs. Mrs. Iddrisu, said the cardinal role of parliament in exercising oversight role over the executive would be reinforced through empowering the relevant committees, including the Public Account Committee and the Committee on Government Assurances to demand accountability from the Executive on pertinent public expenditures and the performance of assurances to the public.

She said, the oversight role of parliament would be extended to include the stewardship of senior public officials and Ministries, Departments and Agencies that render critical services to the public, such as health, education, water supply, sanitation, electricity, roads and public safety, among others.

Other aspects she focused on included anti-corruption agenda; women and governance; the media, revitalising the civil service, democratic governance, corporate governance that is socially responsible and the private sector, public sector enhancement and E-Governance.

Mr. Alban Bagbin, Minority Leader in Parliament who spoke on the NDC's policy on building a Strong Economy for Real Jobs; said it's the objective of the next NDC government to lead Ghana into the status of a middle-income economy that registers in the lives, livelihoods and incomes of ordinary people by the year 2020.

"This shall be accomplished by the adoption of prudent policies, better policy co-ordination and better management of the national economy," he said.

The Minority Leader in Parliament said the government of Prof. Atta Mills will engage a broader majority of citizens to accelerate the pace and process of economic growth, and create a strong economy in which the type and orientation of jobs created are defined in consultation with those for whom the jobs are meaningful.

Other aspects of the manifesto that Mr Bagbin focused on includes driving growth, the renewed NDC vision, the macro-economy, the monetary policy, fiscal policy, and economic objectives.

Other speakers include Mr John Dramani Mahama, Running Mate to Prof Atta-Mills, Mr. Lee Ocran NDC MP, Ms Hannah Tetteh NDC Director of Public Affairs and other leading members of the party.

The manifesto also dwelt on expanding infrastructure for growth- human settlement policy and strategy for urban development, slum upgrading and rural housing; sustaining water and sanitation infrastructure-rural water supply and sanitation, urban water supply, water resources management; and transportation- road transport, road infrastructure, highways, urban roads, feeder roads, non-motorised transport, railways, maritime and riverine transport and aviation.

The rest are science and technology for development - information and communication technology, energy for growth, electricity sub-sector, petroleum sub-sector, renewable energy sub-sector and managing the energy sector.

The NDC therefore called on the public to translate their yearning for change into a massive vote for Prof Atta Mills and NDC Parliamentary aspirants in the December polls. 04 Oct. 08