My countrymen, my friends, brothers and sisters,
I am grateful for this opportunity to directly address so many of you about a matter profoundly affecting all Ghanaians. It is with patriotic pride and patriotic purpose that I write in support of the re-election of President John Dramani Mahama.
Actually, JM has done us all proud by his towering achievements as President over the past six years as well as by his abundant accomplishments spanning 20 years in public service as a government officer. Under his steadfast leadership, the NDC government has propelled Ghana forward with respect to all vital areas impacting the well-being of each and every citizen in all regions of our land. Here are highlights:*
1. Good governance. In the last few years, Ghana’s record has led to international acclaim, placing 2nd in Africa in the 2015 Rule of Law Index of the World Justice Project; 5th in Africa on the 2015 Democracy Index by the Economist Intelligence Unit; 7th in Africa on the 2015 Corruption Perception Index of Transparency International. With respect to local governance, there has been noteworthy progress toward the decentralization aim.
2. Economy. The Ghanaian economy continued to expand despite transitional challenges (e.g., steep declines in World Market Prices of the country’s key export commodities, including crude oil, gold, and cocoa). To tackle these challenges, the President developed a game-changing strategy to transform the economy’s structure. Three facets of this plan are diversification, adding value to primary products, and promoting locally manufactured goods and services. The purpose is to ensure economic stability, produce “massive” job creation, boost income, and raise living standards. Constructing modern markets, stimulating tourism, increasing efficiency in public financial administration, and employment-generating housing and energy-related projects are among measures undertaken.
3. Education. There has been a notable increase in access to education. This applies to every level of school. The NDC commitment to education is exemplified by JM’s strong words—“Education remains the surest path to victory over ignorance, poverty, and inequality. This is self-evident in the bold initiatives we continue to take to improve access, affordability, quality and relevance at all levels.”
4. Foreign relations. The President was a key figure restoring peace to multiple countries in the sub-region and in the fight against Ebola (Ghana hosted the coordination center of the UN’s Mission on Ebola Emergency Response which halted the epidemic). He maintained the Ghana policy of economic diplomacy combined with constructive engagement and non-alignment, interacting with numerous world leaders in the process; addressed the UN General Assembly on issues centrally important to world peace; and led mobilization of international response to Boko Haram. In addition to these and the other concrete attainments, Ghana’s prestige around the globe has been elevated.
5. Infrastructure. An intensive program was launched to provide affordable housing to more families in the lower to middle income brackets. Multiple major water projects and a series of coastal protective works were among crucially important undertakings. The topic of transportation will provide further information about infrastructure.
6. Health. A huge infusion of funds (billions of Ghana cedis) has been directed to providing modern hospitals as well as upgrading facilities. Projects underway will lead to 6,000 new hospital beds. An array of actions are intended to significantly expand quality of care and access to such care (with a special commitment to cushioning those who are in poverty or otherwise vulnerable). The underlying philosophy is that “the health of our people is our wealth.”
7. Energy. Steps have been taken to fix (on a permanent basis) the power shortfalls which occur regularly, enhance efficiency, control costs, and extend supplies to off-grid communities. The utilization of renewable energy is part of this strategy.
8. Agriculture. Thanks to sizeable investments and a range of policy moves, the Agriculture Sector has maintained its growth. Programs include distribution of farm machinery, irrigation projects, expanded fertilizer coverage, development of the fisheries sector, and boosting the all-important cocoa industry through seedling distribution and financial interventions.
9. Transportation. Transportation sector investments are intended to accelerate mobility and to facilitate the movement of goods and services. The acquisition of state-of-the-art buses (116 of 495 have arrived) benefit commuter and transport companies. Development and a much-needed upgrade of Ghana’s aviation infrastructure is underway. A variety of efforts are addressing the increasing needs of the maritime business community. The Ghana Railway Master Plan involves redevelopment of the railway subsector. A critical plank in the President’s agenda for transformation calls for expanding and modernizing the road network. In his words, “no effort is being spared to fix the country’s roads.”
10. Communications. A factor in the country’s economic growth over an extended time has been the ICT sector. The President has initiated numerous actions to utilize this sector for swift socio-economic growth. Among these are a National Data Center (promoting integrated ICT use, it will be the largest in West Africa); a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) center (providing entrepreneurial and business opportunities, especially
for youth); fiber optic installation along the Easter Corridor; and the e-Transform Ghana Project (for efficient use of government resources).Steps have been taken to enhance the telecommunications and broadcasting industries and to construct enhanced Community Information Centers (e-CICS) in every region.
11. Sports. Ghana has invested in the development of youth across sporting disciplines. That investment has begun to payoff. The increasing prominence of our athletes—women and men—was in evidence at the 2014 African Youth Games in Gaborone, Botswana; the 2014 Youth Olympics in Nanjing, China; the 2015 Commonwealth Youth games in Apia, Samoa; and the 2015 All-Africa Games in Brazzaville, Congo. The potential now exists for Ghana to emerge as an impressive power in multiple sports when the next Olympic Games (2020 in Tokyo, Japan) arrive. Significantly, our athletes are succeeding in a range of sports, including swimming, lawn tennis, weight lifting, cycling, track and field (specifically, long jumping), judo, and boxing, in addition to soccer—our traditional strength.
As significant as the gains have been during JM’s Presidency, he recognizes that progress achieved can and must serve as a platform for greater growth as the 21st century unfolds. This brings us to his vision—think of it as a mighty river with four tributaries.
One is the Putting People First initiative. The stated goal is “empowering people through better educational systems and opportunities; providing reliable and dependable healthcare arrangements; ensuring inclusiveness by protecting the most vulnerable in our society, thus creating pathways for our youth to achieve their aspirations.”
Two is growing an economy that is strong, resilient, and transformative. The aim is to provide “a channel for human creativity that meets the aspirations of Ghanaians to work. It is an illustration of our commitment to build an economy that nurtures and protects the young, the old and the vulnerable; an economy that is capable of dealing with major adversities such as climate change, while at the same time enhancing life for our people.”
Three is infrastructure development. The NDC seeks “to accelerate the provision of infrastructure to deepen the social and economic benefits of our transformative progress. In the next four years, the NDC government will adopt new developments in science and technology to provide impetus” for such growth.
Four is governance that is both transparent and accountable. “The NDC continues [to emphasize] transparency, accountability, and participatory democracy as the pillars of good governance.” Among the specific goals are enhancing the role of parliament, combatting corruption, fighting narco-terrorism, deepening decentralization and local governance, and addressing the role of cyberspace in national development.
Character, an individual’s traits and values, form the core of a person. We expect, and have every right to expect, our President to be of sterling character; someone we admire; someone whose words and actions set an example for all to follow; and someone who is a role model for our children representing Ghana’s future. There can be no doubt that JM is such a person. He is a man of humility and humanity, principle and perseverance, a communicator and collaborator; a leader whose moral compass never misleads. Integrity and spirituality are entwined in this man for all seasons.
The contrast between JM and his opponent in this election could not be more stark. One shines a beam of light towards a bright future for our nation; the other casts a dark shadow on that future.
Ghana is at a crossroads. So, sisters and brothers, I urge you to do your duty to God and country. On December 7th cast a vote proudly for Dr. John Dramani Mahama—an inspirational leader dedicated, heart and soul, to improving the lives of all our people, yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
I will end by citing the beginning of JM’s November 7th letter to Ghanaians.
My Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We are winning the race!
Only God knows the full extent of my gratitude to the good people of Ghana. For giving me, John Dramani Mahama, the rare opportunity to serve as your President, I remain humbled and eternally grateful.
Every passing day has come with its own challenges but I must say on the balance, our collective gains have been overwhelming. These gains could certainly not have been possible without the blessings of our God Almighty, your patriotism, sense of duty and dedication to the development and economic progress of Ghana.
RDA
*Note: The johnmahama.org website is the source for the quotations cited and a core document for this statement.