Episode 1.
The incoming President, H.E John Dramani Mahama, has made yet another history. On Sunday, 7th July 2024, President Mahama availed himself to be scrutinized by the Ghanaian media on all aspects of the Ghanaian economy. The Ghanaian media have been hungry to subject the current government to account which President Akufo-Addo and Dr Bawumia have consistently refused to honor. This maiden meet the press by H.E John Dramani Mahama is novel and highly commendable.
At the meeting, President Mahama itemized some of the policy proposals his next administration intends to roll out in order to restore and reset the Ghanaian economy. It was certainly instructive to note that President Mahama answered all questions on the spot and off-head without recourse to any prepared script. His display of eloquence, the demeanor and show of honesty counted for his uniqueness in our current political dispensation.
In his answer to a question asked by Annie Ampofo of Metro TV on the 24 Hour Economy, President Mahama simplified and showcased the practicality of this game-changing policy to the understanding of the ordinary Ghanaian. In view of this, President Mahama indicated that not only is there demand, but there is a ready supply of labour given that the bulk of the youth are unemployed. He said the policy will be rolled out in both the public and private sectors to bolster an export-driven economy.
Aside from offering the best explanation to the 24hour Economy, the added consequential effect of this maiden meeting is on the almost dead observance of no show on the outdooring of the selected running mate to Bawumia. Indeed, this outdooring would have been made the topical issue by the media but for this press encounter of his H. E John Dramani Mahama.
On the issue of corruption, President Mahama reiterated his commitment to the fight against corruption. Adding that under his first administration, he didn't only take action against his political opponents for corruption allegations but his own NDC members faced his wrath when allegations of corruption were leveled against them. He cited the GYEEDA scandal as one of his personal initiatives, out of which he retrieved about GHC 50m for Ghana. He further dared his political opponents to prosecute him if they have any scintilla of evidence against him on any of the false accusations leveled against him in the past and even now that elections are close.
President Mahama further reaffirmed his resolve to hold corrupt officials of this NPP government to account for their stewardships and also hold his own appointees to the same standards when he forms his next government.
On infrastructure to complement the 24hour Economy, President Mahama intimated that the "Big Push" which was one of the major policy proposals in his 2020 manifesto will be implemented to provide key infrastructure and to form one of the cardinal and reset tools capable of bringing our economy back on track. Not only will this form an anchor in the 24hour Economy, it will also be a vehicle to create viable and sustainable employment for the youth of this country.
On the issue of the appointment to the leadership positions of the security in Ghana (ie the IGP, CDS, etc), President Mahama observed that it will be prudent for the Commander-in-Chief to have the right to make changes within the top echelon of the forces, given that security forms a significant part of governance and therefore, the President must have an interest in who heads which of these security institutions.
A couple of other issues ranging from Education, sports galamsey, etc. came forward, of which President Mahama offered clarity to and gave further information.
BY AZENJI
(Deputy Regional Communication Officer, Savannah Region)
Contact: 024 231 3653
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