Former President John Dramani Mahama, the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has reiterated the need for change and to reset Ghana, calling on the electorates to vote for him and his party come December 7.
Delivering his final campaign speech Thursday evening at Zurak Park in Madina, near Accra, Mr Mahama said the time to restore Ghana’s economic fortunes of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has reiterated the need for change and to reset Ghana, calling on the electorates to vote for him and his party on was now.
“The time to reset our country, Ghana, is now. Saturday’s election is not just another election. It is a defining moment for our nation. It is a choice between the Ghana we have today and the Ghana we want together. A Ghana of opportunity, prosperity and justice for all,” he said.
“Our young people deserve to live in a Ghana where their voices are heard and their dreams come to reality.”
“The young people of Ghana deserve decent, sustainable jobs that enable them to care for their families and live with pride; I mean well-paying jobs”.
Mr Mahama said public sector workers deserved recognition for their merits, deserve stability, predictability, and good working conditions.
Entrepreneurs deserved a free and fair market where their ingenuity and industry could thrive, he added.
The former President said women and girls deserved true equality, safety and a chance to reach their full potential.
“An African man deserves leadership that puts the people first, that fights corruption and that builds a nation we can all be proud of.”
“My colleagues and friends, this is why I am committed to building a stable, safe and viable 24-hour economy that allows millions of jobs to be created.”
Mr Mahama reiterated his commitment to implementing economic measures to fight corruption and make food more affordable for all Ghanaian households.
“And this is why I am committed to running the leanest government in our country’s history, with no more than 60 ministers and deputy ministers of state,” he said.
“And a lower level of political and legal apparatus and casting out wasteful government spending and scrapping the payment of expatriation.”
“I’m committed to waging a relentless war on corruption, hoping to return all the loot.”
He said that operation would be implemented with dedicated zeal to receive the stolen monies and commodities for the country’s development and for the benefit of its young people.
Mr Mahama indicated that he was fighting corruption to restore integrity and fairness, which were two political privileges missing from the governance of “the outgoing New Patriotic Party government ever since.”
He reiterated his commitment to empowering women and ensuring that they were no longer treated as second-class citizens.
With Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, his running mate, soon to be the Vice-President of his government, more attention would be given to women’s issues, Mr Mahama said.
The next NDC government would setup a Women’s Development Bank, which would be a special-purpose bank run by women.
The bank would support women-owned and women-led businesses with low-interest loans and other tailored financial services on very flexible terms.
“This initiative is aimed at economically empowering a minimum of one million Ghanaian women.”
Touching on his 24-hour economic policy, the NDC flagbearer said it would encourage and support businesses and public organisations to operate 24/7 in three shifts of eight hours each to boost production, promote productivity, and generate well-paying jobs.
“The 24-Hour Economy policy aims to transform Ghana into an import-substitution and export-led economy.”
