NPP Candidates- Blow the Trumpet

Come 22nd December the NPP will have a new Presidential candidate to contest the 2008 Presidential elections in Ghana. President Kufuor would have one more year to tie up loose ends, say hello to friends and foe and leave a legacy befitting a statesman. Our free press and the inherent democratic values that has been the hallmark of his Presidency have ensured that all sectors of Ghanaians have had their say in the running of the country. Moreover, Ghana web readers and contributors have played their part in opening up Ghana to the outside world. I may disagree with some of the columnists but that is the essence of democracy- a “fight over ideas not with the gun”. That banter, insults and exchange of words and ideas on Ghana web in it self has enhanced the image of Ghana and ensured that our country has set the standards in Africa for good governance and promotion of free speech. So Far so Good- Prez Under this President Ghana has achieved a lot. The NPP Presidential aspirants scrambling for power would have an excellent platform to build on when and if they get hold of the mantle of power. They must not be ashamed to blow the trumpet and sing aloud the tremendous successes of President Kufuor. The Country, Party Members, friends and family alike are bloody proud of him – he has excelled beyond our wildest dreams and imagination. Bloody Proud He has made his folks in Nkawie and Dabang bloody proud. Make no mistake he has made some errors but on my watch and on the watch of seasoned political/economic observers- Ghana is in the vanguard of a new Africa renaissance. What is clear and true of any Presidency in the world is that: if President Kufuor provides free milk, sugar, honey and add an extra 10 pounds to the pocket of every Ghanaian that will still not please his ardent critics. Like the proverbial Akan saying “nea akoko be ye bea enye akroma fe”- so that is, it take it or leave it. Do not vote for him next time round. Readers may ask what are some of the achievements that this geezer is talking about? Wait folks, here comes the good news. Some success under President Kufuor belt Ghana named as a “White-list country ” by the EU. In simple layman terms it means all Ghanaians do receive fair treatment by the courts and that there is no political persecution in Ghana. President Kufuor elected unopposed as Chairman of the Africa Union; The introduction of a comprehensive School Feeding Programme. The first of its kind in sub-Sahara Africa; . The introduction and implementation of a National Health Service Insurance Scheme - literally ensuring that our rural /urban folks have free access to medical care; The provision of micro-credit to small to medium enterprises- for the first time in the history of Ghana our men folk is selling wax prints. (Carrying it on their heads); The scrapping of the Criminal Justice Bill that shackled journalist from investigating and reporting on wrongdoings of the Government; The first country in Africa to subscribe to the African Peer review Mechanism; One of five African Presidents to be invited to G8 meetings; First African Country to possibly reach the Millennium Development Goals; One of five African countries to receive the Millennium Development Grant from the United States; Music to the ears of every Ghanaian. In the latest World Bank’s “Doing Business report” – your country, my country -poor, deprived Ghana was ranked ahead of almost all African countries and even ahead of Greece a EU member state as a good country to do business- well done Ghana PLC under Chief Executive JAK I am pretty sure critics of the President would be screaming and seething with anger-they may be asking the question – where is the beef? What about the economy? Where is the success story of the golden age of business? On the economy the President achievements is next to none in sub-Sahara Africa. Poverty Reduction Strategy(PRS) The PRS reforms have ensured that Ghana’s real Gross domestic Product (GDP) have risen to 6% a year over the last 3 years up from 3.4% when President Kufuor came to power. Inflation I am aware that the late C colonel Acheampong was not afraid of inflation but most of us worried about the strength of the cedi and the value of our savings are scared of the “beast”. The good news is: under JAK inflation in Ghana has dropped down from 40%(2000) to 9%. Fiscal Deficit Our fiscal deficit has steadied between 2.5% and 3% range of our GDP- a good sign for any economy that is serious about balancing its books. Gold Production Last year gold production in Ghana was increased by 10% to 2.23 million ounces (1.3 billion dollars in value) Cocoa Production Ghana’s Cocoa Production increased by a massive 27% in 2007 making Ghana the second biggest cocoa producer in the world. By the end of next year Ghana will process 300,000 tons of Cocoa products, a 200% increase over the 100,000 tons processed in 2005 Credit Suisse in its report on Ghana stated, “Ghana’s economic and political stability will serve as an abiding foundation for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI).” Foreign Direct Investment-& Money Transfers Under President Kufuor there has been massive increase in FDI’s coming to the country. Capital inflows and money transfers by members of the Diaspora have surpassed 3billion dollars. I could go on and on but I will be boring the readers. Conclusion More hurdles to climb Despite the huge successes chalk up by President Kufuor the country has a long way to go before fulfilling its aim of becoming middle - income country. The current power shortages, the poverty rates affecting over 30% of our population, and the lack of a strong domestic regulatory market to regulate the activities of foreign firms all acts as a block for future growth. Ghana has been very lucky and fortunate to have a considerate, passionate believer in the rule of Chief Executive of Ghana Plc. NPP candidates blow the trumpet and stop being negative- you have a story to tell.