The Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has said that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is better off in implementing pro-poor policies than its main opponent the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
He says that although times are difficult under the NPP administration, the governing party has been able to implement transformative programmes under the Akufo-Addo administration.
Going into the 2024 general elections, he said the manifesto that has just been launched will represent the hope for the future of Ghana.
Speaking in an interview with after the manifesto launch in Takoradi on Sunday, August 18, the Effutu lawmaker said “This manifesto represents the hope for the future of Ghana, it is being anchored on the track record of the 8 years of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, looking at what is ahead of us as compared to what our opponents are saying so far.
“I am sure you haven’t heard anything visionary from them, we know they didn’t perform when they had the opportunity to govern, there is nothing new they are bringing on board but we must concede that Ghanaians have faced difficult times and things are difficult but we are better off in implementing transformative policies than what our opponents can.
“This is an election between two political parties with experience in government and we say we are better off. I will want to encourage all party footsoldiers to come together, work together and let us deliver the victory for the party for the sake of the Ghanaian.”
Prior to his comments, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo appealed to all members and leadership of the NPP to go out in their numbers and market the Bawumia-Opoku Prempeh ticket for the 2024 general elections.
Mr Akufo-Addo says he is expecting “sweet news” that Dr Mahaudd Bawumia is the winner of the presidential elections after the December 7 polls.
“I want all of you here, the leadership of our party, from top to bottom, from the polling station to the national leadership, all members of the campaign committee, from the electoral area to the constituency, through the regions to the national level, to make an extra effort to go out and sell this golden ticket to every nook and cranny of or country to make sure when he results are declared, hopefully, on the 8th of December we will hear the sweet news, the 6th President of the Fourth Republic, Mahamudu Bawumia has won a clear victory,” he said during the launch of the NPP’s manifesto in Takoradi on Sunday August 19.
For his part, the Flagbearer of the NPP, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, acknowledged the challenging times Ghana and the rest of the world have gone through in the past two years, and has also expressed relief and optimism at clear signs of recovery.
In the past two to three years, several economies around the world have been hit by unprecedented levels of inflation and rising cost of living, with Ghana getting its share as inflation hit over 50% at a point with fuel hitting nearly 20 Cedis per liter.
Speaking at the launch of the 2024 NPP Manifesto in Takoradi on Sunday, Dr. Bawumia honestly recounted the challenges the country faced and also gave a glimmer of hope, referencing considerable improvements, with inflation, in particular, now down to around 20%, as international agencies predict a turn around.
“The hardship is real. Our debt became unsustainable and had to be restructured. Bondholders saw a sharp decline in their net worth following the painful yet unavoidable debt restructuring program. We faced very challenging times,” Dr. Bawumia recalled.
“But with calm leadership and the support and understanding of the good people of Ghana, we have weathered the worst of the storm and the economy is firmly on a path of recovery, with increasing GDP growth and declining inflation. It is gratifying to note that our policy interventions have started yielding the desired macroeconomic results,” he noted.
Dr. Bawumia added that inspite of the clear signs of improvements, many households are still grappling with high cost of living, and he expressed his desire and commitment to put in place measures as President, to continue with the gains being made and address the challenges.
“Many economists and analysts have rightly stated that Ghana has turned the corner but we know that for many families, the cost of living is still very high and we are committed to doing more to relieve the difficulties Ghanaians are facing.”
Dr. Bawumia noted that despite creating more jobs than any other government in history, youth unemployment remains high, and he stated his government’s commitment to to put in place effective measures to create more jobs.
“We are equally committed to creating more job opportunities that will significantly reduce youth unemployment,” he said.
“We have so far created 2.3 million jobs – the most of any government in this Fourth Republic, youth unemployment remains a problem that we are dealing with. We are committed to doing even more.”
“This is why it is better to continue with a party that has created more jobs than any other in the Fourth Republic than go back to a party and a leader who, after four years of dumsor, created more unemployment than any other government in the Fourth Republic. As they say “follow who know road. “
