(I purposefully left out the part of the speech that preceded this part since this part deals with how Mr. Akufo-Addo sees how he will be of benefit to Ghana)
Let me make reference to one of the interesting statistics that emerged from the work done by the formidable Dr Mahamudu Bawumia in compiling our case for the election petition. In many of the places that we were supposed to have lost, the gap between our votes and that of the NDC was abnormally high. It is our duty, therefore, to close that gap and we intend to do so by two means.
First we intend to win the votes of the overwhelming majority of Ghanaians and, second, we shall protect those votes at every level to the point of declaration. I have no desire to lead the NPP into another election petition in 2016. I certainly do not want to take election grievances to the streets either. I prefer we begin today to do the things that would greatly diminish any potential need to go to court.
That means we want an election in which the results would be beyond dispute and would be accepted by all. That means we must secure the reforms that are necessary to enhance the integrity of the electoral system and the people who work for the system, the electoral officers.
We need to ensure the integrity of the electoral process so that we can concentrate on what matters most: enhancing the lives of the people. The biggest threat to our democracy is the potential loss of confidence in the democratic system and the takeover of where there used to be hope.
Despite that you have not shown that it was actually not the correct vote, I will suppose that you are correct that the vote margin stands questionable.
You will do two things: You will win more Ghanaian votes and protect the votes. This should not give comfort to NPP. It doesn’t give me comfort. Lack of strategy is the reason why. Reasonable strategy could be to concentrate on areas where the votes were close and put more resources there and find enough close areas to make a difference or add a few of the areas you lost by wide margins and turn the tables there. 2. What reform proposal do you have to protect the votes? A proposal could very well be that NPP members should count the ballots which will not be acceptable to anyone. Show that you have actual proposals to ensure the integrity of the ballot. Thinking up solutions is what’s needed not rosy generalities. Rosy generalities say you don’t have answers.
Our people see all around them corruption, economic hardships, falling standards in education, inefficient public service system, joblessness, especially amongst the youth, and insecurity. They see a wide gap between what some politicians promise and what they deliver. That is dangerous for all of us. We need to restore hope and confidence in our young people; we need to restore hope and confidence in the leadership of the nation. Every child must have the best education that this nation can provide. We need to offer young people hope, education, and skills for decent jobs with decent pay.
We must do this; we must do that. What specific proposal do you have? I must get rich too. If I don’t have a specific proposal to get rich, I may never get rich or if I do, it may be because it fell my way. We have heard too many of those. What is your proposal? Remember, you have been at this for 12 years now. If you don’t have specifics, when will you have them? We mustn’t buy this we must do this we must do that any longer. You made yourself a politician. Show us what you can do.
We can no longer postpone the need for the structural transformation of our economy. Our current raw material producing economy is incapable of generating the jobs that our young people need and deserve. It is vital that we put in place a comprehensive, systematic programme for the industrialisation of Ghana, so that, by the end of the next decade, industrial products, not raw materials, will dominate Ghana’s economy. We need to work out the fiscal, monetary and technological incentives that can stimulate local production of goods and services by the private sector.
That is the way to deal with widespread unemployment and low wages. That is the programme that the NPP, under my leadership, will be committed to delivering. Alas, all of this hinges on fixing our energy situation. Nothing must be spared to fix it. We cannot continue blaming an Act of God or Nigerians for our predicament. It is Ghana made, pure and simple. And, it must be fixed by Ghanaians.
Put your programme down and let’s see it. You have been at this too long. If you don’t have proposals now, when will you have them? This sounds like empty suit to me.
As the experiences of the successful countries in Asia and elsewhere have shown, government has a very important and positive role to play in spurring industrialisation and economic transformation. It needs not be state-owned; it needs rather the vision, commitment and intelligent support of the state.
But, to succeed in industrialising Ghana, we must show a far greater seriousness in building the nation’s infrastructure, including not only power, but also housing, transport, water, irrigation, and ICT. I believe we could have done much more recently even with the limited resources available. A major impediment to this is the worrying deficit in value-for-money when it comes to public procurements.
What has Asian countries done that impress you and how will you the same in Ghana?
The World Bank and Government of Ghana estimate a funding gap of some US$2 billion per annum to meet Ghana’s infrastructural needs. Yet, we managed to register a record budget deficit of more than US$4bn in 2012 alone, which occurred without even meeting our spending targets for infrastructural development in that election year. Two years on, our new Finance Minister continues to struggle to plug that fiscal hole instead of spending his vital energies to stimulate the economy.
What is stopping you from presenting a budget proposal to show how you propose to solve the infrastructural problems? Politicians running for office do it all the time.
The current economic difficulties call for efficient and honest management of public resources and projects. Much of the difficulties facing the country today can be traced to widespread corruption and the apparent inability on the part of the current leadership to fight corruption.
The depressing reality is that corruption is costing the nation jobs, as government chooses to pay more money for less. Corruption is denying our children money to fund their education, the school feeding programme is starved of cash, ask yourself why? Contractors are not being paid. Ask yourself why? Our development partners are refusing to release funds to support our budget, ask yourself why? Salaries are in arrears, ask yourself why? Unlike what we are witnessing today, what Ghana needs is a government that makes the issue of giving value for money the underlining principle for managing public funds. We need that to develop greater confidence in the economy.
Every Ghanaian knows we must stop corruption. How will you stop it? Unfortunately you are not exempted from those Ghanaians think are corrupt. Show us how you are different. A proposal will help.
I have learnt a lot in my four decades in frontline politics. I continue to learn. I have made mistakes in my life, I have said things I could on hindsight have put better. I have tasted defeats and also chalked some successes. I have played my part to see multiparty democracy becoming entrenched in our nation. I was part of President Kufuor’s team that demonstrated to our people that a liberal democracy can deliver on laying the foundations for economic prosperity. I want to be part of winning the next challenge: which is to build a modern, industrialised society in Ghana, where every citizen has the opportunity to prosper. This is the driving force of my life. I will stay true to what I believe in, no matter the pressures to do what is convenient.
What have you learnt and how will that help Ghana? Please give specifics of what exactly. We are tired of generalities.
I am clear and convinced about the direction in which we must go as a country. I have been consistent on this because I believe in it.
I am convinced Ghana can do better than this current state of affairs. And, I believe we can make the change that will make us better than this. We have unfinished business. And, I am ready to get back to work.
Where do you see Ghana in 4 years under Akufo-Addo and how will you get us there?
God bless the NPP. God bless Ghana.
Tony Pobee-Mensah
Town of Cary
316 North Academy Street
Cary, NC 27513
P.O.Box 8005
Cary, NC 27512-8005
tel (919) 462-3929
fax (919) 460-4935
tony.pobee-mensah@townofcary.org
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