The Green Book

The 'Green Book' of the  National Democratic Congress, over the years has been known as one of the most documented book of the party.This book is a compilation of the numerous significant strides made in various sectors of our national life.

 It catalogues a summary of President Mahama’s achievements. It highlights the progress of the policies, programmes and projects of the NDC, which hinges on four thematic areas: "Putting people first, building a strong and resilient economy, expanding infrastructure for accelerated growth and jobs, and advancing transparent and accountable governance".

It is not a doubt that indeed the NDC under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama has made significant strides in various sectors of the country. I mean in the sector of education, there has been a significant increase of 26% in  the number of educational institutions at all levels of basic education. 

Talk about the design, construction and equipping of six 120-bed District Hospitals with an integrated IT system at Dodowa, Fomena, Abetifi, Garu- Tempane, Kumawu and Sekondi;Upgrading of the Takoradi hospital and expansion of the Bolgatanga hospital into a 386-bed facility, etc in the health sector.

 Not to talk of the  unprecedented expansion in the road network of Ghana since 2009. The Giffard Road (Greater Accra Region) Kasoa Interchange and related works (Central Region), the Kwame Nkrumah Circle Interchange Project (Greater Accra Region), completion of Sofoline interchange project (Kumasi, Ashanti Region), the Awoshie-Pokuase Road (Greater Accra Region), Burma Camp Roads 1 & 2(Greater Accra Region) just to mention a few, are there for all to see. 

With this and many more as his proof of diligence and hard work, the president has been quick to demand the nod for a second time to move the nation forward. According to him, the 2016 manifesto is not a catalog of lofty promises woven together to entice the electorates to vote for him as others want to do, but rather it contains the unyielding commitment of the party to see her nation and its people prosper on the basis of hard work and social democratic principle. 

Indeed, we can all see the schools being built, the classrooms being refurbished, the roads being constructed, the hospitals being stocked with state of the art's equipment's, but the big question is, has it really affected the life of the average Ghanaian? We live in a country where parents can no longer afford the fees of their wards. A country stricken by a ridiculous rate of unemployment, and yet day in day out, roads are still being constructed, schools are still being built, hospitals, among others. But what is their use if they cannot effect a positive change in the lives of Ghanaians. 

I remember the report  by the World Bank on unemployment in Ghana, which revealed that about 48 percent of Ghanaians between the ages of 15-24 do not have jobs. Not to mention the IMF's loan with its associated  Tight monetary policy and skyrocketing interest rates, which does not only stop productive investment in its tracks, stampeding savings into short-run financial investment instead of long-term productive investment, and keeping many businesses from getting the kind of month to month loans needed to continue even ordinary operations, all of which leads to unemployment; and yet the NDC is still 'preaching' the message of "Changing Lives, Transforming Ghana".
 I do not think one needs to be educated or have a basic form of education to understand the plain truth; which is the stark poverty that is caused by the high rate of unemployment. 

Now to quote the president verbatim from the party's 2016 manifesto; " We have invested in building robust infrastructure to stimulate economic growth. This has created jobs and we intend to create even more jobs." 

The big question then, is, "Is that really the reality of the Ghanaian society? Does the ordinary Ghanaian citizen see her nation in the same light as portrayed by the NDC? Or is the 'Green Book' of the NDC, simply a well schemed document captured through the political lense of the National Democratic Congress, in a credulous way that is simply meant to hoodwink Ghanaian populace? 

Festivals as a new grounds for campaigns.

A political Candidate talking a CHIEF

 Ghana is known to have various ethnic groups divided into tribes, under regions. Each year festivals and durbars are celebrated by the various ethnic groups, whereby a lot is put in place in remembrance of their ancestors, events and stories of the past, a lot of rules and laws are made to based on the festivals, like the ban on noise making.

 However, this year marking an election year has one way or the other changed the celebration of festivals into "celebration of political candidates", who the various ethnic groups might consider the winners, although the elections are yet to take place. During these festivals, political candidates attend, share souvenirs and make a whole lot of promises. 

Questions Ghanaian's should ask, is that if political candidates can ignore the main reason for the celebration of these festivals; which is to foster posterity, bring people together and in the long term, pay homage to our ancestors and ply this place as a campaign ground thus going against rules that have been put in place by ancestors, putting their will first, how sure are Ghanaian's that these same political candidates when given power and mandate, wouldn't ignore the promises made and put their will before any other issue.

WHAT ARE WE PREACHING AS A PEOPLE?; THE ELECTIONS

Peace is the Song to Play

Over the past few months, tensions have been brewing over the mere idea of the impending elections; a necessary evil.
 The issue on the ground is disturbing as individuals, entities and the Government at large is ranting endless of the many eyesores unforeseen yet perceived of an election gone wrong: A saga.
A cogent look at our life as a people sees a systemic brew of peace and hospitality devoid of irrationalities and absurdities. A ll this has been achievable simply because we as a people, have restrained ourselves thus far and so the question remains as "Why Now".

Yes. Why now veer from set ordeals where we have harbored all ills and foregone the cynical comments of the opposition to affirm defeat. Why now the COMMOTION AND UNREST.

We as a people have been witnesses. Yes, to the many statements from the police and the government. Making absurd statements such as "we are prepared to handle any eventualities" or that "we are armed to cater for such instances if it occur".

The big question is then that; why not avert this clashes that may arise from the elections by preaching the peace campaign and asking that people smoke the peace pipe but rather, instigate and ingrain such ideas of disturbances in the constituencies and the nation at large and then later waste resources to restore or more immediately, pay armed vigilantes to maintain the peace.

WE CAN PREACH PEACE!! YES, PREACH PEACE.
Positive communication can avert a lot of destructions. Yes the talk of peace is on; but lets strengthen it the more.
A recent release from the Ghana police Service read "EC identifies 81 flashpoints. Seeks police assistance for adequate security". Yes; it is a positive advent and the preparations ahead is great: But can't we overly avert these squabbles? Of course we can.

Let's preach PEACE; For we as a people, matter.