Opinions of Sunday, 25 December 2011

Columnist: Kabu, Solomon

Mills: 2011 Action Year Will Be Visible Next Year.

President Mills: 2011 Action Year Will Be Visible Next Year.

Where is the action year declared by President Mills? I think this is a fair question every Ghanaian needs to ask. However, I will contextualize the declaration of the action year and the President’s responds for appreciation of my readers. Let us not forget President Mills promised to hit the ground running in 2010 which did not materialize. The infamous action year was promised by President Mills when he met a delegation from the Standard Bank of China at the castle early January. That was where he declared 2011 as an action year and said "there are a lot of things in the pipe line and Ghanaians are itching to see different things, productive things in 2011..." Subsequently, Koku Anyidoho, the spokesperson of the President told Ghanaians “we will see the Volta University, the Brong Ahafo University, the Kotokoraba market, the Cape Coast stadium and the eastern corridor road come alive,” Mr Anyidoho stated.
“Major rehabilitation works at our ports, more schools, more hospitals, as well as massive housing projects will also begin.
“… once these massive projects begin simultaneously,” he added, “you can be sure that lots of jobs will be created; steel benders, masons, carpenters, building technologists, engineers, architects, labourers, food vendors, etc. will all visibly feel that the better Ghana plan is strongly on course…”

Interestingly, the President Mills granted an interview to Radio Gold on Friday, December 23, amongst other things he said "the Kotokoraba market, the Cape Coast stadium, the Brong Ahafo University and Volta University are on the drawing board. Ghanaians will see visible things next year". In January, Ghanaians were told the action year projects will come alive and in December we are told by the President we will see visible things next year. I live this to the judgment of well meaning Ghanaians especially we the youth. I have no doubt President Mills will be a one term President!

I am not surprise the action year has been a monumental failure. It is an indisputable fact on the ground that living standard of the ordinary Ghanaian has deteriorated under President Mills. Unprecedented numbers of students in the various tertiary institutions have deferred their courses because of high cost of education. I am a victim too. There were numerous industrial strikes across the country this year. Another major upset is the fathomless STX housing projects. Also, lots of misinformation, insults and vilifications came from some government appointees especially this year.

It is very strange President Mills says December has been a successful month. There is something amiss. It seems the President is not abreast of current affairs. Or he does not get proper briefing? December has been a very rough month for the NDC and the government. Allegations of gross corruption and cocaine shook the foundation of the NDC party and government. There are allegations made by AFAG that the NDC has built $20 million ultra-modern headquarter at Adabraka within a short period in government. The party is confused per inconsistent answers provided by National Executive officers across radio stations. Another embarrassing issue was the ineptitude and negligent of some sector ministries that doled out a whooping 580 billion old Ghana Cedis to Alfred Agbesi Woyome. Sadly some appointees are shamefully defending this stinking corruption. The last story this December is cocaine metamorphosed to Sodium bi carbonate or soda powder. And the President says December has been successful? It is sad!

It is my fervent prayer that we the youth especially would stand up and be counted and support Nana Akufo-Addo. It is crystal clear he is well prepared to lead Ghana come January, 2013. This government has borrowed $10 billion, increased road tolls exponentially, gold and cocoa prices are all time high, President Mills inherited a lower middle income economy and an oil and gas economy. The mind boggle questions are where are the projects? Where is the money? Why is the living standard of Ghanaians deteriorating? We are now told the $3 billion Chinese loan will help the NDC bring transformation in 2012. I am not against borrowing but to borrow and there is no concrete evidence to show for this historic debt then there is a big problem.

With all these resources Ghana is endowed with, now oil and gas and the solid foundation President Kufuor left, I see no reason why Ghana should fail and Nana Akufo-Addo and the NPP will not fail Ghanaians. Nana Addo possesses all the requisite qualities to transform Ghana to an enviable position. The good Lord is preparing him to restore what the palmerworms, caterpillars and locusts have eaten to make Ghana the beckon of Africa indeed. Nana Akufo-Addo and the NPP can do all things including free Senior High School, improvement in the living standard of Ghanaians, industrial transformation, just to mention a few through Christ who strengthens us. John 8:32 "And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free". Nana Akufo-Addo stands for the truth and by God's grace he will redeem Ghana.

Let me use this opportunity to say merry Christmas and happy New Year to President Mills, Vice President John Mahama, ex President Kufuor, ex Vice President Aliu Mahama, President in waiting Nana Akufo-Addo, and the entire national, regional, constituency and branch executives of the great NPP. Merry Christmas and prosperous new year to the NPP communication team especially affable Nana Akomea, sharp-witted John Boadu, vibrant Samuel Abu Jinapor, my good brother Samuel Awuku, my senior Titus Glover, firebrand Ursla Owusu, outspoken Frances Asiam, Tema East MP in waiting Kofi Brako (KB), Tema West MP, Irene Naa Torshie Addo, Aspiring Ashaiman MP, Seji Saji Amedonu and my constituency youth organizer Kwebena Mark. To my discerning readers and ................... I say merry Christmas and a happy New Year may great things come our way.
God bless us all.
Merry Christmas and happy New Year!!!

Solomon Kabu (solomonkabu@yahoo.com)
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