‘The Economy Must Be Central In The December Elections’ Says NPP Activist.



A leading member of the New Patriotic Party[NPP] in Germany Mr Alhassan Yakubu Tali has noted that the forthcoming general elections in Ghana is about which of the two main political parties can best manage the country’s economy and save it from further decline and imminent collapse.

Speaking on Deutsche Welle radio, Mr Yakubu-Tali, the National-Vice Chairman of NPP in Germany said the central issue that should concern all Ghanaians at this critical moment in the nation’s history should be the economy and how to get the basic fundamentals right saying “if we get the economy right we will be in a position to attend to other challenges because almost all our problems are economic driven’.

According to him the future stability of the country will to a large extent depend on the ability to create jobs, reduce poverty and close the gap between the rich and the poor in society which is currently widening under the Mills-Mahama administration, pointing out that the best means of reducing poverty is not slicing the pie of wealth, but rather increasing the overall size of the pie bigger through economic growth.

The 42 year-old investment banker observed that what Ghana needs now more than anything else is the structural transformation of the economy through relevant and meaningful education and training that would enable our compatriots compete on the global market. He said Ghanaians are really fortunate to have a formidable team led by Nana Akuffo-Addo and Dr Mahamudu Bawumia who have the vision, knowledge, experience and expertise to transform Ghana into a middle income country.

He recalled the great strides Ghana made under the eight-year rule of the NPP government under President Kuffour which saw the introduction of important social intervention programmes including the National Health Insurance Scheme,Free Maternity Care, Capitation Grant, School Feeding Programme, National Youth Employment Programme among others. He added that an Akuffo-Addo led government will continue the good works by introducing new policy initiatives to provide fee-free senior secondary education.

Mr Tali cautioned Ghanaians to be weary of the numerous promises of the NDC which he described a mere wish list stating that their record in government for the last three and half years clearly demonstrates that they have no clue as to how to manage the economy as evidenced by the rising cost of living, the fall in the value of the Cedi, unpaid salaries, the loss of investor confidence and falling standards in basic education.

Mr Tali observed that Ghana with its abundant human and natural resources has massive potential for economic growth and job creation, unfortunately what has been lacking in the past three years under President Mill is effective leadership to rally the people behind a common cause and vision. ‘Ghana deserves and needs a change in leadership and direction because the present dispensation in unacceptable’ he added.

The NPP activist accused the Mills-led government of corruption, ineptitude and incompetence all of which have had very negative impact and effect on the reputation and image of the country within the investment community .He therefore called on Ghanaians to demonstrate their love for their country by voting for the NPP in the December 7 polls.

Kwaku Anane-Gyinde

Aachen-Germany