By Samuel Akumatey
Ho, Nov. 03, GNA – Alhaji Mohammed Frimpong, Flagbearer of the National Democratic Party (NDP), says Ghana will earn the best of democratic governance, when elected President of the Republic in the general elections.
Alhaji Frimpong declared the nation’s democratic system as running on “broken wheels,” and alleged structural disconnect, especially at the community level, and which he said inhibited development and progress.
It was the national campaign launch of the Party, one of the handful of minorities that made it to the December elections, and the event was held at the Nfodjo Park in Ho to an appreciable gathering.
Alhaji Frimpong said the National Democratic Party, formed by the wife of the first President of the Fourth Republic, held claim to the formation of the present regime, and should be granted power to restore Ghana’s political and economic fortunes.
He said Ghana lost the vision of inclusivity etched into the makeup of its Constitution and governance structures, and the NDP would reinstall participation in national development and deliver leadership of broad impact that would benefit all.
“We have that privileged attachment,” he said of the Party’s role in the birth of the republic, adding, “and for that matter, NDP, we call ourselves the master craftsmen of the fourth republican democracy. And for that matter, having travelled over 30 years of multi-party democracy, we can say that the vehicle that we are using is either exhausted or we are not producing the results required.
“The Founders of this democracy had a vision, and that vision is what we call inclusive and participatory leadership. Unfortunately, this is not what we see now. And for that matter, we in the NDP are saying that it is time to take over the vehicle and refit it with what we call wheels of democracy.
“The NDP knows best how the vehicle that we are using in this journey must be driven, but for now it is without wheels, and we are coming to refit it with wheels of democracy so that at least we can get to the destination that we have set for ourselves. It is very very important that at this milestone, we in the NDP come out with what we call a primary and sufficient policy of governance and leadership that allows for an inclusive and participatory leadership. That is necessary to drive every other policy.
“It is very necessary that any other policy prescription that we give the nation is driven in the vehicle of what we call participatory democracy. And for that matter we are giving a rebirth to democracy as it had been in 1992,” the Flagbearer stated.
Alhaji Frimpong said the NDP would “revamp the social and moral fabric” of the country, “leverage collective will and might” in all aspects of national life, and ensure executive power was “transmitted and divulged right down our communities” for direct benefit.
“Most of our failures in policy implementation are merely because we do not involve the communities. But unfortunately, the vessel of democracy is running on the wheels of our communities. And the wheels in the communities, unfortunately as we all experience in local governance structure, are either created dormant or arrive as dead, and we in the NDP will ensure that at least we revive these wheels of democracy and then we move on. The Central Government will work more in the communities than in Accra,” he assured.
The Flagbearer went on to say that the NDP “believes strongly” in social interventions, poverty alleviation and empowerment, and that a “Zero Unemployment” policy would be pursued.
He said the nation’s wealth of human capacity would be leveraged in building the job environment that would engage the competence and experience of even retirees.
The party was aiming at productivity and production and looks to build a nation of highly competitive creative abilities.
Alhai Frimpong said community organised businesses would be the “operating units” of the development processes, and that the structure would make the most of unit committees, now entirely ignored.
He said there would be more participation and linkages with traditional authorities, and that communities would have entrepreneurial hubs.
A green talent initiative by the Party would aid young people to find sure footing in the emerging world of sustainable opportunities and growth.
“The economy becomes like the pulse of the nation, and I am emphatic that a government of the NDP will bring joy to the faces of every Ghanaian.”
The campaign launch covered the southern half of the country, and parliamentary candidates for the Party in the various constituencies were present.
The launch for the northern half is scheduled for the Bono Region.
GNA