The Convention Peoples Party (CPP) 2012 Presidential candidate, Dr. Abu Sakara Foster, has downplayed former Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Martin Amidu’s contention that it will take people of northern origin the next 20 or more years to ascend to the presidency.
Martin Amidu speaking on Accra based Joy Fm, allegedly accused the President of being corrupt, inept and presiding over bad governance that could spell doom for Northerners nursing presidential ambitions.
Delivering an inaugural lecture on the theme, “Which way Ghana,” at the University for Development Studies (UDS) Tamale City campus, Dr. Abu Sakara dismissed Martin Amidu’s assertion.
“I urge all of you to avoid stereotyping; you should never stereotype because it is the basis of prejudice that will later be applied to you and that is why I was saddened to hear the statement that has been made to suggest that because of some reasons, there will never be another northern president in the next thirty years. I think that is the most unfortunate statement.”
He added, “The very constitution that we seek to defend demands that each one of us will be held accountable for our individual actions. We cannot be held for our collective actions.”
Political tension in Ghana
Dr. Abu Sakara Foster said emphasis on partisan interest is the cause of political tensions in Ghana during elections.
He thus believes that a new paradigm of governance which puts the country first, is the surest way to achieve the national goal of prosperity and contentment.
“We must refocus our attention on what is the national interest and create a platform for those who are sufficiently independent-minded, to rise above their partisan divide and to galvanize around the consensus for the fundamental changes that we need to achieve our national goal of prosperity and happiness.”
“Do not leave it for others to determine it for you. This will signal a change in our political paradigm that has been dominated by partisan consideration.”
The CPP 2012 Presidential Candidate kicked against successive government’s profligate spending and called for prudent management of the nation’s scarce resources.
Dr. Abu Sakara observed that successive governments adopted austerity measures to stabilize the economy but failed to curb the huge debt associated with external borrowing.
He cited nepotism as one of the major contributory factors to corruption in Ghana. He reiterated his earlier call for constitutional amendment to make it six years for successive governments.
He encouraged government to revise the national service scheme and make military training compulsory for national service personnel between 18 and 23 years.
This, according to him, will instill self-discipline in the younger generation.
He challenged the next generation to move away from public sector employment and think entrepreneurial. Dr. Abu Sakara commended government for carrying out numerous projects in the Northern Region including the Fufulso-Sawla road, the Eastern Corridor Road and the expansion and upgrading of the Tamale Airport.
Agriculture
As an agriculturalist and an expert in rural development, Dr. Abu Sakara admonished government to invest in the agric sector. He maintained that investing in the agriculture value chain will create more jobs and direct income for the citizenry.
“Massive investment in the agric sector is the best way to unlock our nation’s investment potentials.”
He further decried the huge interest rates on loans disbursed to farmers and implored government to set up a special fund to assist them.
Dr. Abu Sakara further asked government to construct irrigation projects in rural communities to promote all year round farming.
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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/Citifmonline.com/Ghana