Opinion: NPP 2020 manifesto is by far a superior document

The NPP 2020 manifesto is a far superior document which lays out a comprehensive plan that will transform our beloved country systematically. It gives an accurate account to the people of how President Akufo-Addo has discharged the mandate given to him by Ghanaians in 2016.

One thing is clear: this campaign will be a campaign of records. Both candidates have occupied the high office of the land before, and Ghanaians have an opportunity to make a decision on the basis of who fulfilled their promises when in office. In other words, Ghanaians will vote for who they trust to fulfil promises made.

President Akufo-Addo has an incontestable track record when it comes to fulfilling his promises. He promised Free SHS and he delivered in his first year in office. He also delivered the following promises: One District One Factory, One Village One Dam, One District One Warehouse, Planting for Food and Jobs, $1 million per constituency, One Constituency One Ambulance, the Northern, Middle Belt and Coastal Development Authorities, the Zongo Development Fund, the Office of the Special Prosecutor, the Right to Information Act, substantial financial support to anti-corruption agencies such as the Auditor General, EOCO, FIC, and many other significant promises which have all been fulfilled.

With Nana Akufo-Addo as President of the Republic, Ghana has regained its rightful place on the global stage. The respect, once accorded Ghana, which had been eroded by actions taken by former president Mahama, has been restored with full benefits. Today, Ghana is the host of the Secretariat of AfCFTA and chair of ECOWAS. President Akufo-Addo is an AU Gender Champion and co-chair of the Eminent Advocates for the SDGs.

Citizens of other countries (not only in Africa) wish they had a president like President Akufo-Addo. In fact, I recall a trip to Harvard University in 2019 with the president, where a young scholar took the microphone and said he wished Nana Akufo-Addo was president of his country.

Though the young scholar’s words generated a little laughter from the audience, his persuasive arguments in support of his wish received resounding applause. I could do nothing but smile broadly as a proud Ghanaian.

Former President Mahama may “joke” about or take for granted some of the outcomes of the prudent management of the economy by the government of Nana Akufo-Addo.

But the truth of the matter is that President Akufo-Addo’s government has fixed and continues to fix the problems created by former President Mahama including “dumsor” and the financial sector mess. Nana Akufo-Addo came into office in 2017 and methodically implemented sound economic policies that took Ghana out of the IMF programme that former President John Mahama brought upon Ghanaians.

He fixed another John Mahama mess: Ghana’s economy is strong and resilient, which is enabling us to weather the COVID-19 storm. This is not the time to entrust our strong economy and stable financial sector into the hands of the very person who ruined it and sent us to the IMF. Ghanaians have a duty to protect our economy from people who have no clue in running an economy.

Free SHS is life-changing. It is giving every Ghanaian child an opportunity at a better life, which inevitably improves our society. Former President Mahama was completely against Free SHS and sponsored adverts against it. I know Ghanaians will not forget that.

Let us protect our progress. Let us vote for Nana Akufo-Addo to continue to transform Ghana for all.

#4MoreForNana
#4MoreToDoMoreForYou

Kow Essuman, assistant secretary and counsel at the Office of the President

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