Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has underscored the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) 2024 manifesto as an ambitious action plan aimed at building on the successes of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s administration.
Speaking at the launch of the 2024 Manifesto on Sunday in Takoradi, Jinapor detailed how the manifesto would leverage the party’s achievements to create jobs and foster development across Ghana.
He emphasized the NPP’s success in transforming Ghana’s gold mining sector, positioning the country as the leading gold producer in Africa.
“By dint of hard work and innovative policies, we have overtaken South Africa as the leading producer of gold on the continent,” he stated.
He stressed the reopening of mines in Dormaa, Bibiani, and Obuasi, as well as new investments from international companies, including Newmont in the Western Region, Cardinal Namdini in the Upper East Region and Azumah Resources in the Upper West Region.
“These investments have created scores of jobs for the youth, and more high-paying jobs will become available when these mines start operation,” Jinapor said.
The Lands Minister also pointed out the significant increase in gold exports from the small-scale mining sector, attributing it to the reduction of withholding tax and enhanced regulation.
Touching on environmental conservation, Jinapor noted Ghana’s leadership in forest management and climate action.
He praised the Green Ghana initiative, which has seen the planting of 52 million trees in four years, and the cultivation of 721,000 hectares of forestland since 2017.
“Ghana has become a global leader in forest management and nature-based climate action,” he said.
He also mentioned the digitization of land records at the Lands Commission, aimed at ensuring efficient land service delivery.
Abu Jinapor also underscored the NPP government’s commitment to national security, citing the improvement in conditions for the Ghana Armed Forces and the Police Service.
According to him, the Akufo-Addo government has settled $13 million in arrears owed to peacekeeping personnel and increased their allowances, adding that the party’s administration has significantly bolstered the military’s housing and vehicle capacity.
Positioning the 2024 election as a pivotal moment for Ghana, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources urged the youth to support the NPP’s vision for the future.
He said, “A vote for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Dr. Matthew Opoku-Prempeh is a vote for jobs, for prosperity, and for bold solutions for the future.
He called on Ghanaians from all regions to rally behind the party’s candidates, emphasizing the stark choice between the NPP’s record of achievement and the opposition’s past failures.
“As we move forward, the NPP is marching on to victory, to make Bawumia the next president of this republic,” Jinapor declared.