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2024 Manifesto: Sustainability of national development requires upgrade, reset, review & restructuring

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Opinion

The current state of Ghana requires a combination of an upgrade, reset, review and restructuring of all the sectors of the economy including majority of unprofitable, counterproductive and redundant policies and programmes.

Comprehensive sustainability of national development is achieved through continuous improvement of good policies and the discontinuation of bad ones.

Some policies and programmes such as Free SHS Policy, One District One Factory, One Constituency One Ambulance, Digital Economy (Digitization & Digitalization), Roads & Infrastructure all call for an UPGRADE.

Cronyism (appointment of a large number of family & friends to serve in government), nepotism, favoritism, winner-takes-it-all, unnecessary undermining of private businesspersons, corruption, nuisance taxes (including E-levy), galamsey (illegal mining), youth unemployment, National Cathedral construction, unprecedented national debt, Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP), activities of the Bank of Ghana, downgrade of Ghana’s credit ratings and others call for RESETTING.

Good governance, accountability, proper rule of law, discipline, non-interference of state institutions, integrity of the judiciary, good moral values, protection of fundamental human rights, tolerance of divergent views, and absolute independence of the media, among others call for RESTORATION.

The economic architecture of Ghana seriously needs a REVIEW aimed at addressing the fundamentals of the economy including the macroeconomic, microeconomic, fiscal and monetary policies of the Government.

The fast depreciation of the cedi coupled with high interest rates, unstable inflation rates and higher debt-to-GDP ratio call for RESTRUCTURING of our economy.

Where Ghana has reached, we cannot use upgrade or reset alone to further develop the country for the greater good of all or greater majority of the citizens.

We cannot upgrade the bad policies and programmes of Akufo-Addo’s government and that of previous governments, especially Mahama’s administration.

We cannot also reset all the excellent policies and programmes of Akufo-Addo’s government and that of previous governments, including the Mahama-led administration.

There is the need to upgrade & restore the good policies/programmes, and reset & restructure the bad policies/programmes of current and previous governments.

For instance, in June 2020, the World Economic Forum (WEF) launched the GREAT RESET INITIATIVE aimed at facilitating a rebuilding from the global COVID-19 crisis in a way that prioritizes Sustainable Development. The Great Reset Initiative covered three major objectives namely:

  1. Creating conditions for a “stakeholder economy”.
  2. Building in a more “resilient, equitable and sustainable” way by utilizing environmental, social and governance (ESG) metrics.
  3. Harnessing the innovations of the 4th Industrial Revolution.

Currently, it is quite challenging pinpointing the exact POLICY ANCHORS of the NDC’s ‘Resetting Ghana’ agenda.

How can you reset Ghana without policy anchors and economic framework enshrined in your Manifesto?

Obviously, the 24-hour economy is good for an upgrade of the economy but not resetting it.

How do we upgrade Ghana without first of all paying the necessary attention to the restructuring of the economy?

How do you wholistically upgrade Ghana without making Ghanaians know your concrete & detailed policy-synergies of Macro-Model of Corporate Entrepreneurship & Innovations and Micro Model Enterprises?

How do you implement the Great Transformational Plan (GTP) without an Upgrade, Reset, Review and Restructuring?

The 10 Pillars of the Great Transformational Plan (GTP), proposed by the Presidential Aspirant of the Movement for Change, is not detailed enough to address the multi-dimensional problems of the national and local economies of Ghana.

As for the smaller parties and over 20 independent presidential candidates, almost all of them do not have any superior intellectual policy document for the socioeconomic transformation of Ghana.

They are mostly acting as interest-driven pressure groups in our democracy.

Not every policy or programme needs RESET.

Not every policy or programme requires UPGRADE.

In fact, some policies and programmes need OUTRIGHT DELETIONS or DISCONTINUATION with immediate effect from 8th January, 2025.

By Razak Kojo Opoku  

Source: myjoyonline.com

Editor’s note: Views expressed in this article do not represent that of The Chronicle

The Water Crisis In Accra Raises Broader Concerns

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Editorial

The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has announced it will continue with water rationing in parts of the Greater Accra Region due to significant production gaps.This decision comes in response to a major supply disruption caused by a burst pipe in Dodowa, which affected several communities in Accra.

Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Lydia Alhassan, issued a directive for GWCL to deploy water tankers to the affected areas. She emphasised the urgent need for improved communication with consumers.

Despite the ongoing repair efforts, GWCL’s Public Relations Officer told JoyNews that water rationing will continue. The company’s production capacity of 120 million gallons per day falls short of the 170 million gallons required to meet current demand, creating a daily shortfall of 50 million gallons.

The decision by the GWCL to extend water rationing in parts of the Greater Accra Region underscores the gravity of the water crisis facing the nation’s capital. This decision, precipitated by a major supply disruption due to a burst pipe in Dodowa, highlights the broader challenges of water management and infrastructure that Accra and its surrounding communities are grappling with.

Water is an essential resource, vital not only for individual well-being but also for the economic and social stability of any region. The current shortfall in water production—120 million gallons per day against a demand of 170 million gallons—has created a daily deficit of 50 million gallons, forcing GWCL to continue its water rationing program. While this measure is necessary to distribute the limited supply equitably, it is a reminder of the pressing need to address the underlying issues that have led to this situation.

The response from the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, also rightly points out the need for improved communication with consumers during such crises. In an era where information is readily accessible, it is unacceptable for consumers to be left in the dark about issues that directly impact their daily lives.

Effective communication is not just about informing the public; it is about building trust and ensuring that citizens are prepared to cope with the challenges they face. The directive to deploy water tankers to affected areas is a positive step, but it must be accompanied by a consistent flow of information to keep residents informed about the situation and the measures being taken to resolve it.

The ongoing water crisis also raises broader concerns about the state of Ghana’s water infrastructure. The burst pipe in Dodowa, while a significant incident, is symptomatic of deeper issues that have plagued the country’s water supply system for years Aging infrastructure, inadequate maintenance, and a lack of investment in upgrading and expanding water facilities have left many parts of the country vulnerable to such disruptions.

The current crisis should serve as a wake-up call for the government and relevant stakeholders to prioritize investment in water infrastructure.This includes not only repairing and replacing old pipelines but also increasing the overall capacity of water production facilities to meet the growing demands of an expanding population.

Moreover, the need for a sustainable and long-term solution cannot be overstated. Temporary fixes, such as deploying water tankers or implementing rationing programs, are necessary in the short term but do not address the root causes of the problem. Water management strategy must be holistic, incorporating not only infrastructure improvements but also better water conservation practices, effective regulation of water usage and innovative solutions such as rainwater harvesting and wastewater recycling.

While the immediate response to the crisis is important, it is equally crucial to address the long-term challenges that have led to this situation. The government, GWCL and other stakeholders must work together to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy that ensures sustainable water management, infrastructure development and effective communication with the public.

Only by doing so can we prevent future crises and secure a reliable water supply for the people in the country.

John Domelo’s statement to opponent an insult to women -NPP Female MPs

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Chairperson of the Majority Women's Caucus, MP for Asokwa, Madam Patricia Appiagyei

The Majority Women’s Caucus of the Parliament of Ghana has urged the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Lydia Seyram Alhassan, to take legal action against the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Ayawaso West Wuogon, John Dumelo, for his defamatory comments against her.

During a recent TV3 program, Mr. Dumelo made a shocking claim that Madam Alhassan was involved in her late husband’s death, to clear the way for her election to Parliament.

Addressing a section of the Parliamentary Press Corps (PPC) in Accra on Thursday, August 29, 2024 the Majority Women Caucus, led by their Chairperson and New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Asokwa, Madam Patricia Appiagyei, condemned this statement as baseless, malicious and an insult to all women in leadership positions.

“This outrageous and contemptible statement is not only a vicious attack on Lydia Seyram Alhassan but also an insult to all women who work tirelessly to serve their communities and the nation in positions of leadership,” she noted.

She added, “The Majority Women’s Caucus in Parliament stands resolutely with Lydia Seyram Alhassan. We fully support her decision to seek legal redress and encourage her to take this matter to a court of competent jurisdiction, where Mr. Dumelo will be compelled to prove his baseless and malicious allegations.”

The Caucus believes that taking legal action will send a strong message that women in politics will not be bullied or intimidated by false and damaging allegations; hence their full support to Hon. Seyram Alhassan, who is also the incumbent MP for Ayawaso West Wuogon, in her pursuit of justice.

“Hon. Alhassan has done nothing but serve her constituents and the nation with dedication and integrity,” said a member of the Women’s Caucus. “We will not stand idly by while her reputation is tarnished by baseless accusations.

Concerned with the situation, the Majority Women’s Caucus is urging all women in politics to stand together against such attacks and to support one another in the face of adversity.

They are also calling on all political actors to conduct their campaigns with decency and respect and to refrain from personal attacks that undermine the democratic process.

“The progress of our democracy depends on the ability of all participants to engage in meaningful debate on ideas and policies without descending into the gutter of unfounded and disrespectful allegations,” Madam Appiagyei, known in the political circles as Mama Pat, asserted.

The condemnable statement of the Majority Women’s Caucus in Parliament follows a similar statement that was issued by the Widows Association of Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency.

The group had on Thursday also expressed deep disappointment and strong condemnation of the comments made by John Dumelo against Lydia Seyram Alhassan.

In a statement, the Widows Association labelled Mr. Dumelo’s remarks as a severe affront to the dignity of widows, who already face significant emotional and societal challenges, following the loss of their spouses.

“His words are a painful reminder of the stigmatization and discrimination that widows often face in our society,” the statement in part read.

By Stephen Odoi-Larbi

Upgrade Elmina polyclinic to hospital status -Atta Mills calls on gov’t

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NAABENYIN JOOJO AMISSAH
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MP for Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem Constituency, Samuel Atta Mills, speaking

Member of Parliament for the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem Constituency, Samuel Atta Mills, has called on the government to consider the upgrade of the Elmina Polyclinic to hospital status.

This, he said, would enable the facility, which is the biggest health care delivery centre in the municipality to offer comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services, such as emergency and complex procedures.

Speaking at the 50th anniversary of the Polyclinic, Mr. Atta Mills reiterated that the facility plays a major role in health care delivery in the entire municipality, hence the need for an upgrade.

Dignatries on the high table

He mentioned that patients were referred to Elmina Polyclinic from clinics, CHPS compounds and other health facilities within the municipality, while other patients from outside the municipality often visited for health care.

However, the facility mostly referred patients with complex cases to the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital, while some patients preferred the University of Cape Coast and the Cape Coast Metro Hospitals to the Polyclinic.

The need for an upgrade

According to the Legislator, an upgrade of the facility to a full-fledged hospital has become eminent due to its strategic location and the ever-growing population of the municipality.

“I still believe and maintain my stand that the Elmina Polyclinic and Kissi Health Centre must be upgraded to fully fledged hospitals equipped with facilities such as accidents and emergency centers,” he emphasised.

MP’s initiatives.

He stated that his office has, over the years, taken up initiatives by assisting constituents in the various health training institutions to be trained and get posted to the municipality to work.

It covered those sponsored to pursue medicine, physician assistant studies, optometry, nursing and other allied health programmes in various tertiary educational institutions.

“My office has assisted most health professionals to get posted to the municipality to assist in delivering quality health care” to improve the health of the constituents.

Support for health facilities

Mr. Mills said, “My office renovated the entire maternity block at Elmina Polyclinic, donated hospital beds to the male and female wards and children’s beds to the mother and baby units.”

His office has also secured a refrigerator for storage of essential medical supplies at the polyclinic and supported the construction of male and female wards and the renovation of maternity blocks at the Komenda and Kissi Health Centres respectively.

Additionally, he claimed to have financed the facelift of Kokwado health facility and supported the construction of a maternity block at the Abayee CHPS compound, as well as the re-roofing of the Atonkwa CHPS compound.

Mr. Mills, who is seeking re-election, stated that his office has immensely supported the construction of the CHPS compound at Aburansa, Abrobiano, Dwabo and other areas.

Rationale for the support

He explained that the rationale behind the constant support to other health facilities outside Elmina Polyclinic was due to the role they play in complimenting the health care delivery services at Elmina Polyclinic.

He promised that his office has taken steps to repair a vehicle of the health directorate that was meant for supervision and monitoring but has broken down due to an accident.

He congratulated all the various heads of the facility and the entire staff for their remarkable and significant roles that have contributed to the successes the Polyclinic has chalked over the years.

Electricity company disconnects Nigerian university

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University of Lagos

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has been left in darkness after the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) disconnected it from the power grid.

The university was disconnected because it failed to pay the N472 million electricity bill. According to a statement from the university’s communications unit, the university’s electricity bill has increased from about N180 million a month to at least N300 million a month since June, when EKEDC migrated the university from Band B to Band A.

The university said it could not afford the new electricity bills that came with the migration Band A in June. “Management wishes to appeal to members of the University community over the power outage on campus due to disconnection of electricity supply by Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC),” part of the statement obtained by PREMIUM TIMES reads. The university maintained that it could not pay above N180 million in the current budget year and has continued to pay just that.

The university management, however, said it is taking necessary steps towards addressing the situation. “In the meantime, members of the University community are kindly enjoined to remain calm and note that there would be a rationing of power supply across campus until further notice,” the statement added.

“The schedule of rationing will be released so that members of the community can adequately plan.”

Credit: premiumtimesng.com

We won’t be distracted, NLC President vows after police interrogation

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NLC president Joe Ajaero

The President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has vowed to continue to champion workers’ welfare despite being questioned by the police over allegations of terrorism financing and other crimes.

Mr Ajaero stated this after he returned from the office of the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence Response Team (IRT) in Abuja on Thursday.

He had gone there to honour an invitation extended to him by the police.

Addressing supporters and journalists at the Pascal Bafyau Labour House headquarters, Abuja shiortly after he returned, Mr Ajaero vowed to continue pressing for the implementation of a new minimum wage and other labour demands.

“For this level of solidarity, I want to thank every one of you,” Mr Ajaero said to the gathered crowd. “Tell every Nigerian worker that we are committed to your welfare.

“We have gone there and we are back. You can’t do this job without facing such hazards. It’s expected. Even at the unit level, some of us experience this.

“We will not listen to any distraction. On behalf of the NLC, NAC, NEC, and CWC, for the solidarity they have shown, I want to say thank you.”

Reflecting on his long history of labour activism, Mr Ajaero recalled being detained alongside human rights lawyer Femi Falana during the military regime of Sani Abacha in 1998.

He emphasised that the current circumstances would not deter him from his mission. “We have secured a new minimum wage that has yet to be implemented, and we will press for its enforcement as soon as possible,” he declared.

The IRT had asked Mr Ajaero on 19 August to appear before it to answer to charges of alleged criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrim.

The invitation came after a raid on the NLC headquarters in Abuja on 7 August, during which security operatives broke into the building’s second floor and ransacked a bookshop.

Although he was asked by the police to come on 20 August, the NLC president requested through his lawyers, Femi Falana Chambers, more time to appear on 29 August.

Mr Ajaero had left the Labour House to honour the invitation on Thursday at about 9 a.m. and returned at about 11.30 a.m.

He was accompanied back from the IRT office by some members of his legal team, including Maxwell Opara.

Credit: premiumtimesng.com

Govt approves 50% electricity subsidy for public hospitals

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Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Tunji Alausa

The Nigerian government has approved a 50 percent electricity subsidy for public hospitals across the country.

Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Tunji Alausa disclosed this recently while speaking at the National Neo-Psychiatric Hospital in Barnawa, Kaduna State.

According to him, the initiative is to cut the running costs for public hospitals and alleviate the impact on patients.

He further noted that the government plans to rename the hospital to a specialist hospital.

He commissioned the Electronic Health Records and Alternative Power Supply at the Lawal Jafaru Isah Emergency Complex and the solarization project at the dialysis unit, which includes a solar-powered borehole and a 10.2 KVA inverter with a lithium battery at the Abdulkareem Jika Yusuf COVID-19 Intervention Centre

“We are going to change the names of our Federal Hospitals to Specialist Hospitals to expand care delivery and destigmatize hospitals so that everybody can come here. While the core services will remain psychiatric, this re-naming will allow for the continuous expansion of services,” he said.

Credit: dailypost.ng

Tinubu departs Nigeria for China

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Tinubu departs Abuja for Beijing

President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja for Beijing, China, on Thursday for an official visit.

A statement by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, said Tinubu would have a brief layover in the United Arab Emirates.

 

“In China, the President will meet with President Xi Jinping and hold meetings with Chinese business leaders on the sidelines of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. President Tinubu will be accompanied by senior government officials on the trip,” said Ngelale.

 

Briefing newsmen Tuesday on the significance of the proposed visit at the State House, Abuja, Media Adviser to the President, Ajuri Ngelale, said the President’s itinerary include site visits to prominent Chinese corporations, including Huawei Technologies and the China Rail and Construction Corporation (CRCC), to fast-track the completion of the Ibadan to Abuja segment of the Lagos to Kano high-speed rail line.

 

His Excellency will conduct site visits to two major Chinese corporations; Huawei Technologies, as well as the China Rail and Construction Corporation, (CRCC). This is with a view to achieve one of Mr. President’s top agenda items, which is the completion of the Ibadan to Abuja segment of the Lagos to Kano high speed rail line. 

 

The President, according to the presidential spokesperson, will also engage in strategic meetings with 10 chief executives of major Chinese corporations, boasting assets under management totaling over $3 trillion USD, across various sectors, including ICT, oil and gas, aluminium production, seaport construction, financial services, and satellite technology development.

 

The visit, he stated, is expected to yield immediate and long-term benefits for the Nigerian economy and people, underscoring the President’s commitment to economic growth and development.

 

Credit: arise.tv

Government to launch External debt restructuring offer in coming days

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Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, Minister for Finance

Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, Minister for Finance, has announced that the government, in the coming days, will launch an exchange offer to bondholders, marking a critical step in the external debt restructuring journey.

He said the exchange offer reflected the terms agreed in principle with bondholders on June 24th, including important concessions from bondholders.

The Minister said this step would ensure a fair burden sharing between domestic, official, and commercial external creditors.

He announced this at the monthly press briefing on Ghana’s economy, highlighting the recent development in the government’s effort to restructure its external debts.

Dr. Amin said the exchange would be open for 21 days, adding that the government counted on the full support of the bondholder community, both abroad and in Ghana, to reach high participation levels.

Under the exchange offer, he said investors could choose between two options: first, a nominal value with no nominal haircut but low interest rates, and a Disco option with a 37 per cent nominal haircut but higher interest rates.

The Minister stressed that bond exchange will allow Ghana to save US$4.4 billion in debt service and a cancellation of US$4.7 billion throughout the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme.

He said the cancellation and absence of debt servicing could contribute to reducing Ghana’s debt-to-GDP ratio to 55 per cent by 2028 to achieve the debt target.

The Minister also said the progress in the external debt restructuring effort would pave the way for a normalisation of Ghana’s relationship with the international markets.

He, however, revealed that the government had taken steps to ensure the completion of strategic infrastructure that were impacted by the debt operation.

“Our efforts have enabled us to complete the Prempeh (I) International Airport, the Afari Military Hospital in Kumasi, as well as the Yakubu Tali International Airport in Tamale. 23. This week, the President cut-sod for the Accra-Tema Motorway redevelopment project. Two (2) days ago, I also visited the Kasoa-Winneba Road, which is being fully funded from the national budget. Like many of you who ply that road, I am very impressed with the progress of work on this critical road,” he said.

Dr. Amin asserted that the government was working with development partners to implement the Economic Roads Improvement Programme, which includes the Accra-Kumasi Road.

According to him, this is part of a broader strategy to open up the country for trade, tourism, and regional integration.

By Jibril Abdul Mumuni

GNA

2022 National Best Cocoa Farmers Tour European Processing Facilities

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The 2022 National Best Cocoa Farmers have set off on an educational tour of cocoa processing facilities in Europe. This tour, part of the award package from the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) in recognition of their exceptional contributions to the cocoa industry, aims to enhance their understanding of the global cocoa value chain.

The delegation, which includes Bismark Fuachie, the 2022 National Best Cocoa Farmer; Joyce Dapaah, the Most Enterprising Female Cocoa Farmer; and Peter Paintsil, the Most Promising Young Cocoa Farmer, will visit leading cocoa processing facilities in Switzerland and the Netherlands. They will explore operations at major firms such as Cargill, Cocoa Source, and KOA, observing processes from roasting and grinding to refining and packaging.

Throughout the tour, the farmers will interact with industry experts and learn about the latest advancements in cocoa processing. “We are thrilled about this opportunity to expand our knowledge and enhance our farming practices,” said Bismark Fuachie. By gaining insights into the entire value chain, the farmers are expected to return with new ideas to improve their operations, further boosting Ghana’s cocoa sector.

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