The Diaspora Patriots in Ghana Foundation(DPG) has congratulated both the NPP and the NDC for launching their respective manifestoes.
Ahead of the Dec 7 election, the two major parties have delivered their manifestoes to Ghanaians which included achievements of both parties from 2016 till 2020. Meanwhile, these manifestoes serve as a blueprint for both parties to chart the prospective development of Ghana.
In the DPG press statement issued by the Communication Director, stated that, “the 2020 NPP Manifesto seeks to build on achievements attained through the implementation of its 2016 Manifesto, the NDC Manifesto is inundated with short-term offerings and platitudes that is designed to serve the interests of selected interest groups”.
However, DPG has shared their views as ‘citizens not a spectator’ on both parties manifestoes indication contents of various parties’ manifestoes.
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According to DPG, “NDC manifesto dubbed the “Peoples Manifesto” lacks substance and vision for the sustainable growth of the economy”.
“Indeed, what will legislation to legalize Okada, build more mortuaries in Zongo Communities (which are currently seeing unprecedented development under the current government), paying half of tertiarry students’ fees for them and tax incentives to landlords to reduce rent advance payments, do to contribute to the sustained building of the Ghanaian economy and improve the lives of all citizens for the long term? DPG asserts that these promises will contribute minimally to the longterm building of Ghana’s economy for all citizens.”
“The NDC now believes in the relevance of NPP’s Free SHS, job creation programs, maintenance of allowances for trainee nurses and teachers (a program the NDC cancelled when in office) but have duly coopted these programs in their Manifesto.”
“We respectfully and humbly ask for the vote of Ghanaians to permit the NPP to continue the productive work being done to move Ghana beyond Aid.”
Statement below:
Diaspora Patriots in Ghana Foundation (DPG) congratulate both the NPP and the NDC for launching their respective manifestos.
Both parties anticipate that these documents will be their “blueprint” to chart the prospective development of Ghana, should they win the forthcoming December 7th elections.
From our perspective, however, whereas the 2020 NPP Manifesto seeks to build on achievements attained through the implementation of its 2016 Manifesto, the NDC Manifesto is inundated with short term offerings and platitudes that is designed to serve the interests of selected interest groups.
The 2016 and 2020 NPP Manifestos, on the other hand, lay out concrete plans to build a solid foundation for the economic and social growth of Ghana.
Key examples of infrastructure projects detailed in the NPP Manifesto include:
a. The rejuvenation and expansion of the Ghana Railway Network to key Regions of the country to enhance further development of our rich natural resources and the movement of goods
b. The focus on building roads to critical productive areas of the country.
c. The One District One Factory, One Warehouse and One Dam programs that are being implemented and already generating successes.
These projects, clearly defined and enhanced in the 2020 NPP Manifesto, are critical and formidable infrastructure projects that will transform and sustain the economy and growth of Ghana for generations.
On the capacity building front, the NPP manifesto endeavours to:
a. Enhance the Free SHS and the Educational system executed boldly over the past three (3) years. This will provide the educational personnel and expertise that will build Ghana. It is interesting that this program, which NDC said was not doable and was a scam, has now been coopted been earmarked for expansion by them in their Manifesto.
b. With the credibility gained from the FSHS implementation, the NPP proposes to remove the key obstacle on the part of tertiary students to secure student loans – need for a qualified guarantor. Now, only a Ghana Card, which the NDC could not establish in office for 8 years, is all what is needed to get requisite loans.
c. Continue the “clean-up” of the Financial services sector to re-grow the now restored credence and confidence in our financial institutions, a vital sector, necessary to provide Ghanaian citizens and businesses access to credit facilities.
c. The progressing resuscitation of the NHIS, (which the NDC collapsed during their tenure, leaving b behind 1.2 billion GHS/2 years in arrears), and the proposed building of 96 hospitals across the country to improve the health of citizens and ensure our capacity to handle disease outbreaks and future pandemics.
Unlike the NPP’s visionary Manifesto, excerpts of which have been briefly mentioned above, the NDC manifesto dubbed the “Peoples Manifesto” lacks substance and vision for the sustainable growth of the economy.
Indeed, what will legislation to legalize Okada, build more mortuaries in Zongo Communities (which are currently seeing unprecedented development under the current government), paying half of tertiarry students’ fees for them and tax incentives to landlords to reduce rent advance payments, do to contribute to the sustained building of the Ghanaian economy and improve the lives of all citizens for the long term? DPG asserts that these promises will contribute minimally to the longterm building of Ghana’s economy for all citizens.
DPG is however humbled to know that the NDC now believes in the relevance of NPP’s Free SHS, job creation programs, maintenance of allowances for trainee nurses and teachers (a program the NDC cancelled when in office) but have duly coopted these programs in their Manifesto.
Yes, the saying goes that “history has a way of repeating itself”. But, DPG has trust in the enlightened Ghanaian voter who has witnessed the courage and successes chucked by the Nana Administration despite the poor financial state of the country when the NPP took over in 2017 as well as navigate the most challenging global covid pandemic over the last year.
Indeed, we know many Ghanaians who rightly shudder at the possibility that the NDC would have been in power at the Time of COVID-19, given their penchant for inflated projects, profligacy and inability to exponentially increase government revenues, like the NPP government has done in less than 4 years.
We have confidence that citizens of Ghana will not allow the NDC to hoodwink them with their purely populist Manifesto, in the December 7th election but will rather realise that the NDC lacks the credibility to deliver and their Manifesto is not designed for requisite longterm development.
The NPP’s 2020 manifesto in contrast to the NDC alternative, lays out concrete roadmap to continue the transformational and structural changes being made to build a prosperous Ghana now and for future generations.
On December 7, 2020, we respectfully and humbly ask for the vote of Ghanaians to permit the NPP to continue the productive work being done to move Ghana beyond Aid.
For the Leadership tested and proven by COVID-19, Free SHS, Railways Renaissance, Student Loans for all, Planting for Food and Jobs, the upcoming Rent Support Scheme and many other credible promises made, delivered or ongoing, Vote 4 More 2 Do More You, in both the Parliamentary and Presidential Elections.
Long Live Ghana!
DPG Communications Directorate.
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