A New Statesman editorial


The Change Agenda being spearheaded by the New Patriotic Party is indeed catching up with almost all Ghanaians who are reeling under the excruciating and unbearable hardships foisted on the nation by the incompetent Mahama-led National Democratic Congress government.

The massive crowd that welcomed the flagbearer of the NPP, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, during his just-ended tour of the Volta Region was a clear manifestation of how Ghanaians want a change. Some areas in the region which hitherto were considered hostile grounds for the NPP have now opened up to the party, and embraced the wind of change that is blowing across the country.

In fact, it is an understatement to point out that the eight years of the Mahama-led NDC administration has not only worsened the plight of Ghanaians, but also created a real sense of hopelessness among the masses.
What has the Mahama administration transformed since it assumed the reins of power? Yes, we all know some lives have been transformed, but the question is whose lives have been transformed under the presidency of John Dramani Mahama?

The beneficiaries of GYEEDA have undoubtedly had a transformation in their lives. The Smartyys brigades, we can say, have also seen transformation in their lives.

If this is the sort of transformation the NDC has been preaching about all this while, or wants Ghanaians to believe, then another four years for this government will more or less transform Ghana into a hell, governed by 'greedy bastards' who are only interested in the agenda to 'create, loot and share' the nation's resources.

We believe Ghanaians from all parts of the country have now seen through the attempt by the Mahama government to create the opportunity for few family members and cronies to make wealth at the expense of the collective good of the nation.

That is why the people of Volta Region cannot continue to offer their electoral support to President Mahama and his government in the upcoming elections.

This was clearly evidenced in the kind of reception Nana Akufo-Addo received during his just-ended tour to the region.

As Nana Akufo-Addo indicated succinctly, the effects of the mismanagement of the Mahama government is not being felt by only one group of people in the country. All Ghanaians are victims of the gross economic mismanagement and unsound business policies that have combined to create a very hostile business environment that is leading to the collapse of many businesses, with its concomitant problem of escalating unemployment.
The Ghanaian voters have become so discerning that one cannot take them for a fool anymore. The people of Volta region will therefore have no problem supporting a party that carries the track record of ensuring the creation of sound environment for businesses to thrive.

They, just like any group of Ghanaians, are seeking a return to the days where they could attend teacher training and nursing training colleges and enjoy allowances. They also look up to a return to the era where social intervention programmes, such as the National Health Insurance Scheme, Capitation Grant, School Feeding Programme, Free Maternal Health Care, and others, offered real reliefs to the vulnerable and under-privileged.
This is what has strengthened the Change Agenda being spearheaded by the NPP. This agenda has certainly become an agenda of the suffering, who are in the vast majority. That is why the wind of change is now becoming irresistible, and cannot be thwarted by any force as the nation inches towards this year's election.

The need for change is the most crucial thing for every Ghanaian now. That change is now a Ghanaian agenda; so all must help realize it.