At a press conference in Ho on Tuesday, the party’s Regional Chairman, Gyapong Kudjo, observed that the New Patriotic Party’s manifesto was empty and discriminatory in terms of allocation of projects.

[contextly_sidebar id=”HQw1pBesONrjnYKAdmvRqEkni9cxjBFU”]“We have never been in doubt that President John Dramani Mahama and the NDC must be given another mandate to continue to build a Better Ghana; but our conviction was emboldened the more after the NPP launched its empty kalyppo manifesto at the Trade Fair Center in Accra”.

The Regional Chairman said the NPP was selective in allotting their proposed development projects to the people of the Volta Region, thus making provision for northern and southern Volta and leaving out the middle belt of the region.

“In their manifesto, they promised to establish a middle belt development authority for northern Volta, and coastal development for the coastal part of the Volta Region. The question is what about the central part of the Volta region?” he queried.

Gyapong Kudjo described the NPP’s manifesto as empty.

“Comrades and friends, when Kalyppo begins to outshine the launch of a manifesto; then it tells you that there is something deeply wrong with that kind of manifesto” he stated.

He however added that, the NDC government has provided more development to the Volta Region in areas of education, health, roads, coastal development among others.

“If the NPP is talking about the construction of the Keta Harbour , we want to put it on record that the NDC government has already shown greater commitments in that direction”.

He said the Volta Region would continue to throw its unflinching support behind President John Dramani Mahama to retain the NDC for the successful execution of all projects promised by the party to the people.

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By: Norbert Akpabli/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Former Trade and Industry Minister, Alan Kwadwo Kyeremanten, who made this known at the party’s manifesto launch at the Accra International Trade Fair Centre in Accra, said, “the NPP will pursue aggressive industrialization based on value addition; provide tax and related incentives for manufacturing businesses; investing in skills training and apprenticeship, as well as providing resources for small businesses and start-ups to emerge and flourish.”

[contextly_sidebar id=”vQtOiNZJ10c4rCkZwr0pkg83o5EscfJ9″]“To respond to the challenge of raining long-term finance, the NPP government will first establish an industrial development fund, to support critical private sector industrial initiatives. The Fund will be ceded from government multilateral and private institutional investors. We will also recapitalize and restructure the National Investment Bank (NIB), to provide medium to long-term financing for industries. We will mandate the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre to attract financing and investment into selected strategic industries. We will eliminate the current system of political patronage, and restructure the existing MASCLOC scheme to provide credit for SMEs.”

We’II reduce port charges and others

Mr. Kwadwo Kyeremanten also promised that an NPP government will reduce charges at the country’s ports, and other taxes, as part of moves to lessen the burden on businesses.

“To tackle the high cost of doing business, the NPP will reduce the tax burden on businesses by either completely abolishing same taxes or reducing them. By far, one of the biggest challenges industries have faced for more than five years, is inadequate supply of power. In fact, ‘dumsor’ has led to thousands of Ghanaians losing their jobs not to mention the number of families that have been affected by these considerable job losses. The NPP will implement a broad range of reforms in the energy sector to arrest the problem.”

“Ghanaian businesses face significant challenges in exporting or importing goods at the ports. To address these challenges, the NPP will significantly reduce fees and charges at the Ports. We will also introduce reforms in Port clearing systems and benchmark our ports against some of the best in the world such as Dubai and Singapore, and make our ports some of the most efficient in Africa to support import and export.

Establishment of industrial zones

Mr. Kyeremanten announced the creation of industrial zones across the country.

“Industrial activity in Ghana has also been constrained by poor industrial development planning including limited access to land for the development of industrial zones. To address this challenge, the NPP will facilitate access to dedicated land spaces in every region for the establishment of multi-purpose industrial parks. We will also develop vibrant commercial zones in border towns in Ghana, and work jointly with our neighbouring countries on developing industrial activities, which will create jobs and promote efforts towards stronger economic integration in the ECOWAS region.”

‘A new golden age for small businesses’

According to Mr. Kyeremanten, in order “To promote entrepreneurship, the NPP will usher in a new golden age for small businesses by launching a comprehensive national plan for entrepreneurship and innovation that will invest in supporting existing small businesses and high growth potential as well as start-ups particularly those initiated by young persons.”

Apprenticeship and skills development centres

The former Trade and Industry Minister also mentioned that an NPP government will set up an apprenticeship and skills development centres to train skilled labour force for specific industrial sectors.

“Skills shortage for industrial development is one of the critical areas that the NPP will urgently address. In this regard, we will establish an apprenticeship and skills development centres to train skilled labour force for specific industrial sectors. Secondly, we will develop in collaboration with Trade Unions a database for trained apprentices and artisans, and establish a national apprentice recruitment agency. In partnership with the private sector, we will transform the existing apprenticeship training module from a supply driven approach, to a market driven model based on the German apprenticeship model.”
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By: Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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Moody’s also affirmed Ghana’s rating at B31.

Moody’s cited significant fiscal deficit reduction and success in implementing structural reforms over the past year, as well as reduced government liquidity risk on the external side following the issuance of the US$750m Eurobond, the proceeds of which are earmarked for debt repayments as some of the key drivers for the stabilization of the rating.

Other reasons cited for the revision were improved balance of payments dynamics, including improved FDI inflows and continued development of oil and gas resources.

Moody’s since March 2015 has rated Ghana at B3/ Negative Outlook.

Finance Ministry welcomes rating

A statement from the Finance Ministry said ‘this positive action comes at a time of improving macroeconomic and fiscal indicators and follows our recent successful Eurobond issuance of US$750mn, priced competitively at 9.25%, in September 2016.

Moody’s rating shows Ghana is doing well – Mahama

President Mahama also said the latest rating was an indication that government is doing something right.

“Our country is respected in the international community and everybody recognizes that. Ghana is rising, Ghana is doing well. In my absence we were pleased to hear that Moody’s credit rating agency has upgraded Ghana, it shows that we are doing something right and we are pleased about the way things are happening. Let us continue to work together as one nation, lets believe in ourselves and I believe that, more than the sky is the limit,” he added.

But speaking at the launch of the NPP’s 2016 manifesto at the Trade Fair Center in Accra, the former Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, said “Economic mismanagement and corruption has resulted in Ghana turning to the IMF for a bailout. Ghana’s sovereign credit rating has been downgraded from B+ positive. Without oil, Ghana was being rated at B+ Positive under the NPP. We’ve now come down with oil under the NDC and John Mahama to B – (negative) with a stable outlook in 2016 with oil. In fact, International Credit Ratings Agencies like Moody’s, Fitch, Standard and Poor’s, now have basically the same credit rating for Ghana.”

The former Deputy Central Bank Governor said the rating does not constitute an upgrade.

“The recent revision of Ghana’s Outlook from B/Negative to B- Stable, which is the equivalent of the B-3, has resulted in a misinterpretation by the NDC government and President Mahama that Ghana’s credit ratings has been upgraded. This is in fact not the case. Moody’s did not upgrade Ghana’s rating. Ghana’s rating under Moody’s is still B/Negative. It is only the outlook that has been revised, and that is not equivalent to a ratings upgrade. Sometimes one wonders whether they don’t read or they don’t understand. So, let me give Mr. President a free piece of advice. Mr. President, please desist from embarrassing yourself by stating that Moody’s has upgraded Ghana. Your economic management team should explain that difference to you.”

“The Mo Ibrahim 2016 report on governance shows that on virtually all key indicators such as safety and the rule of law, human rights, economic opportunities, infrastructure, human development, business environment, health and public management, all these indicators, Ghana is worse off today than it was ten years ago. The IMF in its recent review of the Ghanaian economy has warned that Ghana is on the cask of a financial and economic crisis.

“Notwithstanding this abysmal record, President John Mahama is actually asking Ghanaians where the economic crisis is. He is clearly out of touch. Mr. President the economic crisis is out there if you care to look out of the Flagstaff House”.
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By: Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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Speaking at the Spiritan University at Ejisu in the Ashanti Region, the PPP Flagbearer was of the view that, the lack of objective analysis of the various manifestos have contributed to the lack of real positive impact on the lives of the people.

“Looking at the manifestos of the various parties that have won elections to be in government, Ghana should not have been where we are today, but what do we see now? Millions are suffering in abject poverty in spite of the numerous juicy promises given” he lamented.

The well-known entrepreneur argued that, even though the nation has lots of wealth, it would have to be put to good use in order to successfully reduce poverty in the country.

He was of the strong conviction that, the country’s approach towards certain fundamentals would have to be changed, in order to win the fight towards poverty reduction.

One of the fundamentals he has always been propounding is the separation of the Attorney General’s Office from that of the Minister of Justice, so that corruption could be strongly and effectively fought.

“Poverty in Ghana is real, preventable and looking forward for efficient and selfless people to lead and take care of the problems confronting the nation”, he stated emphatically.

Dr. Nduom also mentioned the lack of proper decentralisation in the country which he said has been the bane of inefficient local governance system that ensures transparency and accountability.

Dr. Nduom said this at the 2nd International Conference on Poverty Management (INCOPOMA) 2016.

The conference, which was under the theme; ‘The Reality and Myth of Poverty Reduction Strategies’, was under the auspices of the Spiritan University.
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The press conference themed, “Promises made, promises broken” was addressed by the NPP campaign Policy Advisor, Boakye Agyarko.

Listen to the full press conference below.

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Mr. Omane Boamah made this comment at the launch of the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) manifesto at the Sunyani Coronation Park on Saturday in the Brong Ahafo Region.

Dr. Omane Boamah, who has been critical of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) and its flagbearer, Nana Akufo-Addo, said the administration of President Mahama had performed tremendously and deserves a second term.

The NDC has largely touted the NPP as a divisive party particularly following its internal wrangling that saw the suspension of the party chairman, Paul Afoko, General Secretary, Kwabena Agyapong, and 2nd National Vice Chairman, Sammy Crabbe.

In the view of the NDC, the NPP cannot lead the country considering that they are not united, whiles they in the NDC remain intact.

“On December 7, you will be called upon to make a choice between unity and divisiveness, Come December 7, you will be called upon to make a choice between progress and retrogression; On December 7, you be called upon to make a choice between humility and arrogance. We and the generality of Ghanaians, have decided to choose to unity, to choose progress and to choose humility, and that is why we are saying JM-Toaso [JM Continue]. We in the NDC, we believe all men are created equal.”

Gov’t to engage more than nurses from 2017

Touting President Mahama’s achievements particularly in the health sector and his vision going forward, the Communications Minister said the next NDC administration, will open up more job opportunities for graduate nurses.

Dr. Omane Boamah said various hospital projects to add some 6,000-beds across the country from 2017, would ensure the above-listed jobs.

He said over the next four years, President Mahama will build 35 Polyclinics across the country, as some of the projects are already ongoing.

“Under health, President Mahama is saying that he stands on a solid rock of achievement. And that solid rock of achievement can also be found here in the Brong Ahafo Region. Five polyclinic projects are underway. In the Ashanti Region, by the end of 2017, at least he would have added a 1000 hospital beds to their current stock. I am referring to the Military hospital in Afari, the district hospital in Bekwai, Fomena and Tepa, and other district hospitals all around the country. But that is not all, in the Greater Accra Region you talk about Ridge Hospital, Police Hospital, University of Ghana Teaching Hospital and the District hospitals for Madina and Kwabenya.

“…But the future is far more important than the past and the present. And that’s why President Mahama is saying that over the next four years, he is going to build 35 polyclinics across the country.”

“And all these Hospital projects will add 6,000 additional hospital beds to our stock and so if you are a nurse, whether private or government trained and you are looking for a job, the opportunities are right here; because assuming two nurses will even be assigned to each of the 6,000 beds, that’s 12,000 nurses to be recruited.”

In recent times, several graduate nurses have lamented the lacks of jobs in the public health institutions and have demonstrated over government’s refusal to post them to various health facilities.
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By: Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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“They [NPP] do the talking, we [NDC] do the doing. They are empty barrels that make a lot of noise, we are full barrels we do not make a lot of noise. That is the difference between them and us…”Fifi Kwetey said this at the launch of the party’s manifesto at Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo region.

He further indicated that, the NPP’s assertion that the governing NDC has had the highest revenue in the history of the country, and so it behooves them to carry out more developmental projects is a lie.

“Our friends in the NPP recently said that, NDC government has done a lot from 2013 to now, and the only reason why we have done a lot is because we have had more money than any other government. I want to tell you today that it is a lie.”

“Between 1993 to the year 2000, when NDC was in power for the first time, the total revenue that we had was 2 billion cedis and the total debt that we had at the time was 13 billion. When NPP came to power between 2001 and 2008, their total revenue went to 22 billion and the total debt went to 57 billion. Even though they had so much revenue than us between 1993 and 2000, they had almost five times the debt that NDC had between 1993 and 2000, NDC was able to build 3 regional hospitals…

“NDC was able to build three universities, NPP got zero, NDC between 1993 and 2000 built 7 polytechnics, NPP built zero. NDC built houses,…but how many houses did the NDC build? Zero.Not even one chamber and hall, not even one single room was completed so when they tell you we had more money than they had  that’s a lie. We had less money than they had; but because we were committed to transforming the lives of our people, we  performed better than them. So today when you hear us talking about the mighty works that JM is going to do between 2017 and 2020, believe it because we come from a tradition that does not talk…”

He believes the NDC has set a clean track record by delivering on its promises and therefore deserves another term in government.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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He also stated that there was the need for all members of the NDC to turn up in their numbers and vote massively to keep the party in power for another four years.

“It is important for us that, now that we have the message very clear, on voting day, let us be courageous enough to come out in our numbers and vote. Nobody should think that we have won the elections. Yes; we have won the election already, but all of us need to come out and vote on election day.”

Speaking at the launch of the party’s manifesto, Mr. Portuphy also emphasized the need for the party to “help the sick, weak and needy” to vote on election day to increase the party’s chances of winning the election.

“Let us help the sick people, let us help the weak people, let us help the needy people. Let us volunteer on voting day, we are bringing everybody out to vote. If we don’t bring them, we may not get all the votes so let us maintain the discipline,“he emphasized.

Mr. Portuphy also extended his gratitude to all party members who had contributed to promoting discipline and unity in the party.

“Put a value on the support you have given me as your National Chairman, National Executives and the President. It is outstanding. Let us keep the unity going and volunteer more of our time to ensure that we win this victory one touch.”

Follow the hashtag #GhElections on Social Media for election related stories.

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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Speaking at the NDC’s manifesto launch at the Sunyani Coronation Park in the Brong Ahafo Region on Saturday, the Tamale South MP disagreed with critics who say President Mahama lacked the courage to address issues of corruption when he presented highlights of the manifesto.

Mr. Iddrisu, who spoke on transparency and accountability, said it is an erroneous impression for critics to say the government had failed to tackle corruption effectively, explaining that President Mahama had shown ample commitment in that regard.

In his view, the President in several instances only sought to respect the constitution by following the rule of law.

“When the President shared his vision and vision on the highlights of the manifesto, there were many who jumped onto a conclusion that the NDC manifesto was silent on corruption. That cannot be the case and that will not be the case. There is a dedicated commitment and charter on combating corruption, white-collar criminality, illegal trafficking and money-laundering. And President Mahama pledges to the people of Ghana that the NDC will continue to make corruption a high-risk activity punishable in accordance with the rule of law. And therefore investigative bodies, prosecution bodies, will be strengthened as they are being strengthened today to support President Mahama’s quest to fight corruption.”

He added that, “President Mahama and the NDC recognises that corruption has a debilitating effect on governance and can weigh public confidence in the political system. President Mahama pledges that every district assembly, Municipal and metropolitan, will now have a dedicated representative of the Attorney General to help with the prosecution of cases.”

“The President has submitted to Parliament what we call the sunshine law, to expose corruption through the freedom of information act and public officers’ accountability act and others in order to deepen transparency and accountability in government. President Mahama is collaborating with the judiciary to fight judiciary corruption, and President Mahama recognises the role of a critical of independent media and civil society to fight corruption, and will continue to support the media to be able to combat corruption and to expose it. Therefore, it is the pledge of President Mahama that all anti-corruption institutions and agencies will be supported and strengthened financially by way of capacity to be able to do that.”

The administration of President Mahama has seen several cases of alleged corruption, such as the SADA scandal, Gyeeda, bus branding, the payment of judgement debt to Woyome, a car gift involving the President among others.

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By: Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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According to him, President John Dramani is the second President who has the highest record of infrastructural projects apart from former President Kwame Nkrumah.

Speaking at the NDC’s Manifesto launch at Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo Region today [Saturday], Mr. Ofosu Ampofo appealed to Ghanaians to give the President another opportunity to fulfill all his promises.

“Our President has demonstrated enough capacity tenacity, strength, capacity and the intellectual ability and the managerial capacity to lead this country…

“In fact, if you take Kwame Nkrumah out in terms of infrastructural development, President John Dramani Mahama stands very tall and I believe that with the good works that he has started, the best that we can do for Ghana, the best thing we can do for the future of this country and the generation yet unborn, is to allow President John Mahama to continue with his second term and ensure that he delivers on the promises and sends Ghana to the promised land.”

We chose B/A for strategic reasons 

Mr. Ofosu Ampofo, who doubles as the party’s Director of Elections, explained that the party decided to hold its manifesto launch in Sunyani for “strategic reasons.”

“Brong Ahafo is a “very strategic region for us for organisation and strategic purposes. It is one of the three swing regions in our country and so in our scheme of things, we thought that having launched our campaign in the Central Region, which is also one of the swing regions, we will move to Brong Ahafo to launch the manifesto so it is for very strategic reasons. Again the Brong Ahafo Region is centrally placed. Such that it is very easy to connect the South to the North; and so movement of our people towards this area is not a problem at all.”

He further explained that, the event will give the rank and file of the party an opportunity to “know the tenets of the manifesto, the pillars of the manifesto and go and campaign based on that.”

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By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana
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