Kofi Agyepong and Cephas Larbi
18 August 2008
After the initial "war" that characterized his selection, the family of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has now welcomed the selection of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as its running mate for this year's general elections. The acclamation was evident last weekend in Takoradi.
From Kosoa to Mankesim to Mfantsiman to Gomoa to Elimina all the way to Sekondi-Takoradi, people lined the highway chanting Naa-Nana-Naa Bawumia, Naa-Nana-Na shuooore...! It was the same refrain that reverberated at the rally grounds.
It was the kind of reception that would send the adrenaline coursing excitedly in any presidential candidate's veins and Nana Akufo-Addo his party executives needed just that kind of encouragement to present their brand new running mate to the Ghanaian electorate.
The party faithful did not disappoint either as they thronged the twin-city of Sekondi-Taadi in their thousands for the occasion. The conference also launched the party's manifesto as it introduced its running mate.
Party Chairman Peter Mac Manu warned party members against making any mistakes that can destroy what they have nurtured with their "toil and sweat." The NPP, he said, is about to make history and urged the supporters and members of the party to partner Nana Akufo-Addo to make the history a reality.
"Despite the propaganda of our rivals, it is not to be disputed that the overwhelming majority of Ghanaians now appreciate the fact that the NPP represents their best hope for our nation's political, economic and social transformation," he said.
He revealed that the clamour for NPP membership cards, even from those areas that were hostile to the NPP, has become an avalanche which the national headquarters is struggling to cope with.
This he said is an affirmation of the people's continued trust in the party.
"Refrain from any act that will, in any way, jeopardize the people's widespread good will, and focus attention on winning the elections cleanly and, fairly and transparently to reinforce the pace-setter role that the NPP administration has earned for Ghana," he told his cheering audience.
Mr. Mac Manu said this year's election is a model that all others are looking forward to emulate.
"We must not fail ourselves... We must not fail Africa... We must not fail people of goodwill around the world who have put their faith in Ghana," he said.
President Kufuor, who was attending his last delegates conference as president assured the party of victory in the elections. This, he said, is because "We have a lot going for us... We have the solid track record to drive us to victory in the December elections."
He thanked the party for their support over the years. This, he said, "is the first time that a party of our tradition has completed a full term, and moves to win a second term...We are poised to make history by becoming the first party to win a third term in a competitive election in this country," he declared.
He however said the victory will not only be won by the party's record in office but by the vision for the future, outlined in the manifesto and the superior political leadership of the presidential candidate.
Presenting the manifesto, the Chairman of the Manifesto Committee, Dr. Owusu Afriyie-Akoto said the manifesto is to continue the good works of President Kufuor and covers four thematic areas: Strengthening democracy; Structural transformation of the economy; Modernizing the society and Regional and continental integration.
Below are some of the highlights of the manifesto:
Housing and Planning
We will build 50,000 low-cost houses every year for the next five years and make 1 in 5 of these houses available for rent for those who can't afford to buy.
We will constrict at least 13,000 units of decent, affordable housing across the north within the first two years and name every street and number every property within our first year.
We will launch a special housing the People Scheme to allow employers to receive tax credits for implementation of housing schemes for workers and make housing finance easier with funds from an infrastructural and physical planning to ensure better land use and spatial planning in our cities.
Transport
We will connect all the regions with the expansion and maintenance of transport infrastructure and strategically link all rural areas production and processing centers to urban centers.
We will expand the NPP's mass transportation policy nationwide and invest $ 2billion dollars in the railway to enable quick, cheap and easy movement of goods.
We will upgrade Kumasi and Tamale Airports to modern international airports, and work towards providing airstrips for every region.
We will construct an inland port at Buipe to move large quantities of goods cheaply between North and South.
Energy
We will provide sufficient, efficient and cost-effective energy to propel national development.
We will complete the Bui Hydro Power Plant, Kpone Thermal Power Plant, Volta River Authority, Tema Power Plant, Emergency Power Plant, Siemens Power Plant and the reactivation of the abandoned Osagyefo Power Barge.
We will build dams on the rivers Pra, Ankobrfah and Tano and 22 mini-hydro dams.
Transformation of the North
We will create a US$ 1bn North Development Fund of direct government expenditure over the next five years managed by the Northern Development Authority.
We will develop cement, iron-ore and gold industries with tax incentives and private-public partnerships.
We will modernize farming practices, improve irrigation and construct four major silos.
We will spur the development of agro-processing plants with tax-credits and government assistance to find markets for value-added products.
We will complete the 400-magawatts Bui Dam and construct at least 13,000 units of decent, affordable housing across the North.
We will invest in dramatic improvements to transport by road, rail, air and water and expand and modernize the Tamale Teaching Hospital and Medical School.
On employment, the party would expand the National Youth Employment Programme to over 500,000 in 4 years in new areas including teaching assistantships, community nursing, waste management and sanitation, community protection and shipping services.
The party would focus on producing value-added goods and services, rather than primary products
The party would intensify trade through increase in both traditional and non-traditional exports. "We would diversify trade towards industrial products and financial services."
In ensuring better education for the future, the party would ensure the following,
• Provide free Senior High School education
• Extend the School Feeding Programme to all primary schools.
• Train more teachers, equip and pay them better
• Build public universities in all regions that do not have them while expanding existing ones with a particular focus on science and technology
• Provide a modern library complex for every district, with modern ICT facilities to facilitate life-long learning.
On health, the party would:
• Continue and expand the National Health Insurance Scheme started by NPP, moving systematically towards Universal Health Insurance. It will be expanded to cover the poor and destitute and will continue to provide free medical care for pregnant women, children under 18 and the elderly over 70.
• Ensure Ghana's health professionals are world-class by investing in recruitment, training, facilities and salaries, launching a Health Professionals Housing Scheme with SSNIT participation to facilitate the return of the Diaspora professionals.
• Attract professionals to rural areas by providing a 10% "Rural Allowance", building dedicated housing and reducing by 20% the length of time required for doctors serving rural communities to qualify for post-graduate work.
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