The main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) party has unveiled its vision for the people of Ghana if voted into power to form the next government in early January 2009.

The 97 paged manifesto, dubbed ‘A BETTER GHANA 2008’, focuses on four thematic areas that encompasses the pressing concerns that the NDC wants to address.

The four thematic areas include investing in people, investing in jobs, investing in the economy and maintaining a transparent and accountable government.

Addressing party faithful and supporters at the manifesto launch in Accra on Saturday, Hon. John Dramani Mahama, running mate to Prof. Mills, said the 2008 NDC manifesto is aimed at tackling poverty from all angles in the country.

He said there would be a major assault on poverty by the next NDC government so as to bring relief and joy to the suffering masses who have suffered under the eight years rule of the Kufour-led NPP administration.

Hon. Mahama said as a first step into eradicating poverty in the country, corruption which has been the bane of this country would be made a high risk activity for both public and political office holders.

He noted that the windfall that the country stands to gain as a result of numerous anti-corruption crusades that the NDC would embark upon would be invested into other areas of the economy to accelerate the growth and development of the country.

The NDC running mate, who described the party’s manifesto launch as beautiful and wonderful in the annals of the NDC, added that the party’s blueprint is achievable, promising Ghanaians that before the first term of the new NDC government expires in 2013, all the set out phases in the manifesto would have been implemented.

Hon. John Mahama, who is also the NDC Member of Parliament for Bole Bamboi, explained that as corruption thrives in a system that is not transparent, accountable or unresponsive to the needs and concerns of the citizens of the country, an NDC government would not make any excuses for corrupt ministers, officials and other office holders, saying; “We shall promptly investigate and prosecute all corrupt public officials and allow the law to take its course”.

He urged the gathering not to pay heed to the vain promises of the ruling NPP, adding that the NDC is on the verge of making history with a peaceful transfer of power from President Kufour to Prof. Mills on January 7th 2009.

As early as 6am, NDC supporters and sympathisers were seen trooping to the Accra International Tradefair Centre, where the launch took place amidst singing and dancing, clad in NDC attires and other souvenirs.

Former President Rawlings and his wife Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings were there to grace the occasion.