NPP is the only party with practical programmes — Nana Akufo-Addo

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, NPP flagbearer has stated that, the party remained the only party which has values and practical programmes to transform the country to join the first class nations as soon as possible.  He said the country stood on the brink of unprecedented opportunities, adding, "the goal of the next NPP government is to get to a first class country and be able to stand with other nations with dignity."  Addressing party faithful at a launch of the NPP's manifesto for the 2008 general elections in Kumasi on Tuesday, Nana Akufo-Addo pointed out that, the task ahead of the next NPP government was to embark on structural transformation of the economy and modernize the Ghanaian society in the true democratic governance.  Among those present at the launch was Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Vice President, who praised Nana Akufo-Addo for his fortitude and vision, which had led to the building of a solid team to propel the programme of the party to move the nation forward.  Other dignitaries present were Ministers of state, MPs and members of the Diplomatic Corps.  The manifesto is focused on four thematic areas. These are strengthening the country's democracy, structural transformation of the economy and industrialization, regional and continental integration as well as the modernization of the Ghanaian society.  Specifically, the party seeks to reduce the financial difficulties facing the manufacturing sector by proposing to establish a one-billion-dollar fund to support small and medium enterprises in the manufacturing sector.  The Party also proposes to expand the coverage of the Export Development and Investment Fund (EDIF) to enable more exporters to have access to finance, reduce corporate tax from the current 25% to 15% and establish business roundtable every quarter to listen to concerns of the private sector.  The next NPP government, as proposed in the manifesto, will also develop an integrated aluminium industry, develop iron and steel industry and make judicious use of the oil money by investing in projects that will open up the economy and also use waste products from the oil industry to produce plastic.  Other highlights in the manifesto are the deepening of democratic governance by promoting national debate on the need to elect DCEs, pass the freedom of information bill, establishing e-governance centre and district land authorities to facilitate easy acquisition of lands for development.  It will also submit, within 100 days in power, the Northern Affirmation Bill to parliament to promote and speed up the development process in the three northern regions.  The next NPP government will also review the National Youth Council decree to make it relevant to modern trends, institute youth enterprise fund, further strengthening of the banking sector to make Ghana the financial hub in the West African sub-region and also make sure that the informal sector is attracted to the formal sector in order to have easy access to financial services.  Nana Akufo-Addo said the transformation of the economy and the modernization of the Ghanaian society would require the strengthening of the education, health and the public sectors adding that, the next NPP government intended to expand access to tertiary education by making sure that each region had a university, while senior high school education would also be free.  He said, never in the history of the country had it witnessed unprecedented expansion in its infrastructure and social services than the NPP administration and mentioned the implementation of the national health insurance scheme, capitation grant, good access roads and good governance, among others adding that, the next NPP government would consolidate on these achievements.  The flagbearer said there should be a conscious and deliberate effort by the country to transform its economy from the dependence of primary exports to value addition and the manufacturing sector and produce goods and services that were hitherto imported locally to create jobs for the people.  Nana Akufo-Addo called for peaceful, free and fair elections in December pointing out that, "there is no need for a single pint of blood to be shared in the upcoming elections".  He said the NPP would continue to embark on campaign of ideas, concentrating of its programmes and issues and called on other parties to do the same.  Mr Peter Mac Manu, Chairman of NPP said the party had proved that it had credible programme and competent people to execute them and called on Ghanaians to renew the mandate of the party to continue its good works.  Other speakers were Mr Alan Kyeremanten, Miss Shirley Ayorkor Botwe, Miss Gloria Akuffo, Mr Agyarko Kyeremanteng and Mr Hamid Mustapha, who briefed the gathering on the contents in the various thematic areas of the manifesto. GNA