Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has condemned the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) government for overseeing “an era of economic mismanagement.”
He said corruption and favouritism among others were to be blamed for the economic setbacks, which weakened independent state institutions.
The country has also witnessed the most devastating destruction of the environment through improperly regulated mining activities, he said.
Mr Asiedu Nketia, addressing hundreds of NDC supporters and faithful at the party’s manifesto launch at Winneba on Saturday, expressed discontent with the management failures under the current government.
He cited the NDC’s successful resolution of the country’s energy crisis in the past and questioned why a similar resolution seemed unattainable under the current administration.
“Since 2017, Ghana had witnessed a regrettable decline in various aspects of national life. Our economy has deteriorated to the extent that we are now grappling with unfamiliar terms such as ‘haircuts’ and ‘domestic debt exchange’ in our economic discourse,” Mr Asiedu Nketia said.
For the first time in the country’s history, he said pensioners, who had diligently served the nation, entitled to a peaceful retirement, had to protest at the Ministry of Finance to claim their hard-earned savings invested in government bonds.
“The sight of these honourable senior citizens on television, portrayed a rather peculiar image of the nation to the international community.”
He said the government was inclined to imposing taxes without corresponding development, adding; “Our current government has introduced numerous taxes that have inflicted severe hardship and had a debilitating impact on our living conditions.”
“Our infrastructure has decayed and many of our roads have been left in a deplorable state.”
Mr Nketia mentioned some abandoned education and health infrastructure projects by the current government and the substandard quality of education under the NPP administration.
Despite the successful implementation of the progressive free senior high school education programme, he noted that many parents were frustrated as they sought quality education for their children.
He said healthcare facilities had been neglected, and several projects aimed at improving the quality of health services had not been prioritised.
He assured Ghanaians that the NDC’s manifesto offered solutions to the myriad of challenges facing the country.
It presents a clear, actionable and concise solutions derived from social democratic principles to tackle the numerous issues confronting the country.
Key among them is the 24-hour economy concept, articulated in simple terms to facilitate understanding by all, “including those who may intentionally resist comprehension,” Mr Nketia said.
The party had proposed other policies that would contribute to the creation of the egalitarian society aspired for in Ghana.
Mr Nketia urged Ghanaians to align with the policies outlined in the manifesto and cast their votes for the NDC in the upcoming elections.
“We assure Ghanaians that this manifesto, which embodies the people’s aspirations, presents a robust framework for building the Ghana we collectively desire.”
“We implore you to embrace our policy proposals and commit to voting for the NDC on December 7, 2024, to reset and reconstruct Ghana, pulling it back from the brink it currently teeters on.”
“Let us unite to reset and rebuild the Ghana we envision together.”
GNA