NDC outdoors manifesto

By William Yaw Owusu

Monday October 6, 2008
THE National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Saturday launched its manifesto for the December elections with a promise to reform key institutions for accelerated growth.

Before an enthusiastic large crowd who thronged the Round Pavillion of the Ghana International Trade Fair Site at La, Accra, the manifesto which was based on four thematic areas was launched by the NDC’s Flag-bearer, Professor John Atta Mills.

A early as 7 am thousands of supporters clad in Party colours and other paraphernalia, thronged the venue for the event amid jubilation, singing dancing and chanting of party slogans.

People also took advantage of the situation to do brisk business by selling the party’s paraphernalia outside the venue.

The event got underway at about 10”30 am with exciting poetry recitals, singing of local hymns, as well as traditional` drumming and dancing.

Leaders of the party took turns to address the enthusiastic crowd, but it was Mrs Betty Mould Iddrisu who was once touted as Pro Mills’ running mate who electrified the already charged atmosphere when she took the microphone to speak on NDC’s agenda for ‘Good Governance’

Mr John Drmani Mahama, running mate to the flag-beaer, arrived at 11:03 am, then the Former President J.J. Rawlings and his wife, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings closely followed by the flag-bearer Professor John Evans Atta Mills at 11:14 am, all to a tumultuous welcome.

They all responded with the “Yerese-samu” sign (meaning “we are changing things”)

The manifesto titled a “A better Ghana”, four thematic areas – governance, improve the economy, invest in people, and infrastructure growth.

Launching it, Prof. Mills said the NDC’s manifesto reflects the wishes, hopes and aspirations of the people, saying “where ever we have been to, the people are yearning for real change”

He said, “Ghana is distressed. It is heading in a wrong direction. We are moving backwards, and we have no sense of direction,” he stressed.

“Currently, there is increase in social exclusion and the nation has lost its sense of morality, and cannot distinguish between right and wrong “, he said adding, “our country is on the verge of a multifaceted crisis”.

Prof Mills said the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government had exhibited what he called “incompetence, parochialism and indulged in systemic corruption”.

He said “they harassed us and always wanted to paint us with criminality. Tsatsu Tsikata predicament is a testimony of the sort of harassment unleashed on us”.

Prof. Mills said “when the NDC forms the next government we will use people who are not vindictive but are God-fearing, and work with commitment to lead this country.

“We need a government that tells the truth at all times, worships humility and eschews arrogance, and the NDC has offered itself to do this for the people of Ghana”.

He said in the first 100 days in office, an NDC government led by himself “will effectively tackle profligacy and ostentation, rationalize ministries and ministerial appointments to reflect humility”.

The NDC flag-bearer also promised to review structures in institutions charged for protecting human rights and also tackle sanitation.

“We would want to be remembered as the government which was not vindictive and clamped down heavily on narcotic drugs trade. We will stand fearlessly for honesty”, he declared.

Prof. Mills commended ex-President Rawlings for his contribution towards the development of the country and the party, and praised the foot soldiers for “staying with us through thick and thin”.

Immediately Prof. Mills completed his speech and was retiring to his seat, the former President invited him back to the podium and said “that was one of the finest speeches we have heard. I acknowledge what a great man he is”.

Before Prof. Mills spoke, several other leaders had thrown light of the thematic areas in the manifesto.

John Mahama, who introduced Prof. Mills, said the NDC manifesto is “focused, achievable, realistic and people based”.

He said: “the NDC will unleash a major assault on poverty, set up a committee to monitor our campaign promises and make the committee’s reports public.”

Mr Mahama also said an NDC government would review the law that established the serious Fraud Office to make it an independent investigative body, as well as review the Assets Declaration Law.

Mrs Iddrisu, for her part, said among other things that next NDC administration would have the capacity to fight corruption and narcotics drugs trade.

Dr Kwabena Adjei, NDC Chairman, said “the NDC is going to make Ghana a safe and better place for the people”, adding “we enlist the support of the media for a legitimate change of government in the December election”.

Hannah Tetteh, Director of Communications of the NDC, said “this is a practical plan to achieve results within four years.”

Other speakers at the launch included Haruna Iddrisu, National Youth Organiser, Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, running mate in the 2004 elections and Alban Bagbin, Minority Leader in Parliament.

There rest were Christine Amoako-Nuamah, a former Minister, Steve Akuffo, a former Deputy Minister, and Dr Opuni a member of the party.