The presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has observed that Ghana has been robbed of massive development because of the brazen theft of public resources and widespread cases of corruption under the watch of President Mahama.
According to the NPP standard bearer, “Monies earmarked for Ghana’s development have found their way into the pockets of people in government. Is it a surprise, therefore, that we are suffering in this country? A school, which costs GH¢160,000 to construct by the private sector, costs in excess of GH¢500,000 when done by government. Why won’t Ghanaians suffer?”
Nana Akufo-Addo was making reference to a Ghana News Agency (GNA) story of November 8, 2015 in which the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Laryea Afotey Agbo, together with the Kpone Katamanso District Assembly, inaugurated a six-unit classroom block, with dual desks at the Katamanso Presbyterian School at a cost of GH¢510,000.
Twenty days later on November 28, 2015 GNA again reported that MTN Ghana Foundation had inaugurated a fully-furnished six-unit classroom block, an office and a store valued at GH¢170,000 for the Asikasu Methodist Basic School in the Upper West Akyem District of the Eastern Region.
“Government is ‘chopping’ our money ‘nyafu, nyafu’. My government is going to root out corruption and the brazen theft of public resources. Under President Kufuor, without the benefit of oil money and with the right policies, he was able to pay teacher and nursing training allowances. Today, with the benefit of oil, this government has cancelled these allowances with the excuse that there is no money,” he lamented.
The NPP flagbearer said that “under my administration, if God listens to my prayer, I will restore these allowances. The plans and programmes we have will ensure that corruption is rooted out, so Ghana’s money can be used for the benefit of the Ghanaian people.”
“I am not into politics to steal the monies of poor Ghanaians. That is not why I am into politics. I am into politics so I can use the little knowledge and wisdom God has given me to help move Ghana forward.”
He made these remarks at Duayaw Nkwanta in the Tano North Constituency of the Brong-Ahafo Region on Friday July 8, 2016 at the start of a five-day tour of the region.The ‘Can Do’ spirit
The NPP leader pointed out that God-willing, his administration will institute policies that will create an enabling environment for the private sector to flourish.
This, he added, will ensure that the private sector is empowered to create jobs for the multitude of unemployed Ghanaian youth.
Urging Ghanaians not to be hoodwinked by the usual propaganda of ‘it cannot be done’ and ‘it is impossible,’ he explained that any policy that has been introduced by the NPP – from the promise of the introduction of the National Health Insurance Scheme, the Free SHS policy, the Northern Development Authority and the recent ‘1-District-1-Factory’ policy – was initially said not to be feasible.
“Anytime we say we want to do something, they say it cannot be done. The NDC said it would take 20 years before Free SHS can be achieved. When they came into office, they then turned around and said they would also do it. In so doing, they promised to construct 200 community day senior high schools in four years. As I speak, they have only completed five. So between me – who said we can do Free SHS – and President Mahama who said it cannot be done – who was lying to Ghanaians?” he asked.
He continued, “It is those who do not have belief in the ‘can do’ spirit of Ghanaians who always say that it cannot be done. I have belief in the ability of the Ghanaian. I am confident that whatever the Ghanaian sets his eyes on to do, it will be done.”
Nana Akufo-Addo gave the assurance that he was going to pursue the “1-District-1-Factory’ policy he proposed whilst touring the Central Region when he wins this year’s election, as this will create thousands of jobs for Ghanaians across the country.
“We have several raw materials in Tano North which will make the siting of a factory profitable. The setting up of processing plants for produce like oil palm, tiger nuts, maize, amongst others, will ensure the creation of jobs. I have too much respect for Ghanaians to propose a policy for which I know cannot be done. I am coming to bring all these policies into fruition,” he concluded.