I have had time to reflect on issues, bring me back to build a solid foundation – Mahama
Former President and now flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress, John Dramani Mahama says being in opposition has taught him many lessons which has adequately prepared him in his bid to building a solid foundation for Ghana’s transformation.
The former President appears to be poised for the upcoming 2020 elections.
According to Mahama, he, together with his party, is working towards creating a ‘practicable strategy’ which will help them lay a ‘solid foundation’ to transform the country.
Mahama in his inaugural speech noted ” I have been there, I have experienced it, I have learnt useful lessons, I have reviewed issues and events, and I am coming back to you, together with my party, the NDC, with what will be a practical strategy for laying a solid foundation for the transformation of our country. ”
He recounted how the past manifesto drawn up by the party’s technical committee had produced a document based mainly on the expertise of the membership.
“This manifesto will be different. It will be a manifesto that will be the conclusion of a long, detailed and consultative process involving broad interactions with our people, incorporating their concerns, their hopes and their aspirations, ” he noted in his speech.
He added “We will through our manifesto provide a robust set of policy options, guided by research, but most importantly, by broad consultations to renew HOPE in the governance of the country, accelerate what was a successful beginning to the diversification and transformation of our economy, and significantly improve the living conditions of Ghanaians. ”
In outlining the party’s strategy to win power from the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) come 2020, the NDC flagbearer mentioned that the NDC has put together a number of working groups on various sectors of the economy including Youth and Job Creation, Agriculture and Business Development, Health, Energy, Education, Finance and Economy, ICT & Innovation among others.
According to him, these working groups, will be made up of persons from the public and private sectors who have impeccable credentials, competences and solid records of achievements.
He further revealed that he has over the last few weeks began consultative meetings with identifiable bodies including workers’ groups such as the University Teachers Association of Ghana, the Ghana Medical Association and other key national stakeholders like traditional leaders, the Catholic Bishops Conference, the Pentecostal & Charismatic Council, traditional priests among others.
He said the NDC will continue the consultative process with many others including the TUC, the ICU, Mine Workers, Student Unions, People with Disability, Federation of Muslim Councils, market women and fishermen.
He believes all these interactions emphasize the importance that is placed on the need for broad consultations and effective feedback from the Ghanaian populace.
He reiterated the NDC’s commitment to restoring hope and addressing the increasing hardship believed to be inflicted on Ghanaians by the governing NPP.