Tag Archives: NDC

News, Politics, Topstory

Ghanaians yearning for Mahama’s return due to Akufo-Addo’s despotism – B.O.T

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Chartered economist, Bernard Oduro Takyi says the collapse of the economy through reckless borrowing and dubious deals cut by the Akufo-Addo government has shifted the attention of Ghanaian electorates to the 2024 flagbearer of the NDC, John Mahama.

The youth activist who was speaking on the Gumbe Show on TV XYZ Thursday evening noted the Akufo-Addo government was led by “ponzy scheme managers” who have swindled Ghanaians after bragging that they could alleviate poverty and transform the economy upon the assumption of power.

The NDC member who is also known as ‘B.O.T’ told host Piesie Okrah that there has come a time that “nobody should compare the achievement of the NPP to the NDC” due to how the economy has collapsed under Akufo-Addo resulting in the reeling of all sectors of the government architecture.

He was reacting to the 2-day tour of the NDC flagbearer, John Mahama, to the Western North Region to interact with party executives and the chiefs of the area.

Yearn for Change

During the tour, the Omanhene (paramount Chief) of Bodi, Nana Kwasi Ofori Ababio decried the poor state of roads in his traditional area.

He described as unfortunate what he described as total neglect, particularly the suspension of cocoa roads which would have been completed by now to enhance the movement of goods and services to improve the lives of people, mostly farmers who feed the nation.

According to him the unfortunate development has forced commercial drivers to ply other routes resulting in the unfortunate death of many pregnant women, who have had difficulty commuting to major health facilities for care and treatment.

The development comes after the Akufo-Addo government halted all ‘cocoa road projects’ which were sanctioned under the erstwhile Mahama administration to rehabilitate roads leading to the rich cocoa-growing areas in Sefwi.

Earlier, the Sefwi Wiawso Manhene Okatakyie Kwasi Bumangama II  slammed government for giving them false hope during engagements before the creation of new regions.

According to him, the impression about massive development once Western North is hoved out of Western region is lacking.

“Akuffo Addo said he has given us region but the region is incomplete” – Okatakyie Kwasi Bumangama II lamented during his interaction with former President John Mahama who paid a courtesy call on him and his subjects on Day One of his two-day tour of the region.

Analysing the rousing welcome Mahama received in the area coupled with goodwill messages to him, B.O.T said the reactions from the chiefs indicated that they were fed up with the Akufo-Addo government that has been promising them for the past 7 years without any concrete developmental projects in these areas replete with rich natural resources the nation feeds on.

John Mahama, NDC 2024 flagbearer

“I have always said that the NPP kept lying to Ghanaians and now they have been caught up in their own lies,” he said in Akan while pointing that the NPP is a ruthless capitalist party that focuses on “property owning democracy.”

“I was in the NPP and had to cross to join the NDC at a point so I know what I am talking about. When I was with them, I kicked against that philosophy,” he said. “When the NPP is in power, they don’t care about the poor people; all they think about is what they can amass using the power the people gave them.”

He said the huge amounts of borrowing under the NPP went into consumption, thereby pushing Ghana’s economy to a junk status and the government had to run to the IMF for a bailout.

“The NPP government has shown that the NDC is far better than them because all their policies have failed and the result – the hardship being felt is just as the famine witnessed in 1983 where people could not find food to eat. Today, there is food but people cannot buy due the bad policies…It has never happened in this country, not even under Rawlings’ military regime, that people have to protest for the dividends of their own investments. And this is because Akufo-Addo had messed up the economy miserably,” he emphasized.

To him, the deception that has been exposed by the economic mess has shifted Ghanaians’ attention to Mr Mahama who has governed the country before.

“Most Ghanaians saw what John Mahama did in 4 years. The amount borrowed wasn’t much but they were pumped into prudent projects which are benefitting the country. talk of Accra Digital centre, the KIA terminal 3, good roads and the likes. So i feel the NDC and the NPP aren’t the same.

“Whoever says these two parties are the same is a disappointed NPP supporter. The NDC is a social democratic party and the NPP builds up wealth for its leaders alone instead of working for the people,” he averred.

 

News, Politics

Reviewed lithium deal could help us get better roads – NDC’s JJ Sukah

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The Communication Officer for the opposition NDC in the Oforikrom Constituency in the Ashanti Region has backed advocates who have urged the government to renegotiate the agreement to mine lithium in the Mfantseman Municipality in the Central Region.

Jerry James Sukah, who is against the existing mining laws, argued on Dwaboase on TV XYZ that the country has not benefitted from the minerals royalties over the past several decades.

His comment follows a public debate over the controversial Ghana-Barari DV lithium agreement which has taken over media discussions in the past couple of weeks. The government has said the deal is transparent, fair and ultimate benefit to the Ghanaian people.

However, some experts and political analysts have condemned Minister for lands and Natural Resources Minister, Samuel Abu Jinapor, over the agreement that is yet to be sent to parliament for ratification.

Urging the Akufo-Addo government to review the agreement and engage local communities and stakeholders before signing the deal, Sukah emphasized the need for mining towns to be elevated.

“We have been mining in this country for so many years but we have benefitted very little from the minerals and it is disheartening. Look at Obusai and other mining communities and you would realise that we need to change the laws governing the exploitation of of the country’s mineral resources,” he told host Prince Minkah.

To him, the NDC has backed experts’ call for the lithium agreement to be reviewed to give Ghana a deserving stake.

“look at how the roads at Obuasi and its environs are. We have not had anything meaningful over these years that we have been mining,” he stated. “We in the Ashanti Region will ensure that the right thing is done so the country gets its fair share of the resources to develop the the country. There are many bad roads in this country that can be fixed when this deal is reviewed to the benefit of the Ghanaian people.”

He said his constituency has many bad roads such that urban dwellers have to fix their vehicles frequently at their own cost yet the government doesn’t see the need to get a good deal from expatriates who show interest in the country’s mineral resources.

NDC’s Position

A press release signed by the National Communications Officer of the NDC, Sammy Gyamfi, has cast doubts on the deal’s transparency.

This lack of openness, the NDC says breeds suspicion and fuels concerns about potential backroom deals and hidden agendas.

” The NDC holds the view, that the green minerals of the country, should not be exploited based on the existing mining laws and policies, which are predominantly tailored for gold mining and have not benefited the nation over the years,” Sammy Gyamfi stated.

“We are of the firm opinion, that it is about time the existing colonial model of mining lease concession agreements, was reviewed. New models for the exploitation of our mineral resources such as Joint Ventures and Service Agreements, that provide for equitable benefit sharing, enhanced local participation and value addition, should be considered as part of the review of the laws and policies governing our extractive sector.”

The NDC Spokesman said “country urgently needs a reviewed mining regime, that provides for the sustainable funding and strengthening of the Ghana Geological Survey Authority, to engage in reconnaissance and prospecting, particularly in relation to green minerals. We believe that this, if supported by the Minerals Income and Investment Fund (MIIF) under the right policy framework, will enhance the bargaining power of the state in the exploitation of our mineral resources.”

 

Source: Myxyzonline.com

 

News, Politics

John Mahama begins ‘Building Ghana tour’ in Western region tomorrow

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The Flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama will begin a two day tour of the Western region on Saturday, 16th of December, 2023.

The former President, who just ended a similar visit to the Western North region is expected to begin from the Jomorro and Elllebele districts where he will engage party foot soldiers and various groups within the Nzema belt of the region, as well as courtesy calls on traditional leaders.

A communique issued by the Western regional Communications Officer of the NDC, Richard Kirk-Mensah, his entourage will kick start the tour in Jaway Wharf, where he will interact with market women, drivers, transport unions and other identifiable groups.

He is also expected to pay a courtesy call on the Omanhene of the Eastern Nzema Traditional Council at Atuabo and then meet artizans, dressmakers, hairdressers, traders etc in Atuabo.
Later in the morning on day one of his visit, he meet the student body of the Eziama Nursing school will Still in the Ellembelle constituency.

The former President, accompanied by some top party officials, NDC MPs in the region and former appointees, will end the 1st day of the tour in Evalue Ajomoro Gwira constituency, where he will pay a courtesy call on Paramount chief of Nsein tradition Council and the paramount chief of Lower Axim in Nsein and Axim respectfully.

The communique said, in the evening on Saturday, the former President will interact with fisherfolks in Axim.

On Sunday, 17th December, John Mahama is expected to join congregants at the Roman Catholic Church at Apowa in the morning and follow up with a community engagement in Apowa.

The team will proceed to Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, where there will be a town hall meeting where His Excellency John Dramani Mahama will use the platform to throw more light on the much talked about 24-hour Economy.

“There will be a student connect program at the Holy Child Training school where the next president will interact with the student body.” – the statement signed by Richard Kirk-Mensah noted.

According to his itinerary, the Mr Mahama will end his 2-day tour of the region in the Shama constituency, where he is expected to engage the fishing community in Anlo Beach.

 

By: Afia Owusu/myxyzonline.com//Ghana

News, Politics, Topstory

NDC returns to IPAC meetings after National Peace Council’s intervention

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The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has rejoined the Inter Party Advisory Commitee (IPAC) meetings with the Electoral Commission.

The decision follows an intervention by the National Peace Council, NPC at a meeting held at Peduase in the Eastern Region on Thursday, December 14.
The stock-taking conference, attended by other stakeholders, was to assess institutional progress towards building the required resilience for credible, transparent, and peaceful general elections in 2024.

Myxyzonline has learnt NDC’s return was based on condition that IPAC maintains its consensus status whereby decisions twill be influenced by the consideration of all parties in the interest of Ghana.
Prior to the official announcement by the NDC, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mrs Jean Adukwei Mensa, made an appeal to the NDC to rejoin IPAC.

She admitted that the party’s contribution was invaluable to the democratic process of the country.
“I would like to use this opportunity to invite the leadership of the National Democratic Congress to our IPAC meetings. We do realise that since 2021, NDC has not been present at our IPAC meetings. We miss them, we miss their fire. I extend an olive branch and in the interest of peace of our country. We invite them to IPAC,” she said.

In response, the National Chairman of the NDC, Johnson Asiedu Nketia expressed his party’s commitment towards efforts at shaping the country’s democratic and electoral processes.
He however emphasized the need for the C must ensure that IPAC assumes its original “consensus building” status towards the implementation of electoral reforms.

“On behalf of the Party, we accept the appeal from the National Peace Council that we should consider returning to IPAC, but we want to return to IPAC and not any other forum”. – he explained
Mr Nketia added. “The other side is for us to work to make sure that IPAC returns to its consensus building days…the issues that blocked our return should be dealt with before our next IPAC meeting,”
He also expressed concern with the EC’s efforts towards making the Ghana Card the sole identification document for the Commission’s proposed continuous voter registration exercise.
The NDC argued that the move had the potential to disenfranchise about one million voters, a position the EC had debunked.

“We will support it if everyone had the Ghana Card,” Mr Nketia said.

Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Ms Kathleen Addy, in a brief remark, said the 2024 Election was peculiar in the wake of political instability in the West Africa Sub-region.

“We are more vulnerable than before. We must work with each other and assure each other so that we can arrive at the elections and beyond the elections in peace and intact,” she said.

The NDC had boycotted IPAC meetings since March 2020 after the party expressed displeasure about the posture of the Electoral Commission (EC).
The Party had accused the Commission of failing to take into consideration decisions at IPAC meetings as part of its electoral reforms.

Myxyzonline

News, Politics, Topstory

Next NDC government to prioritize completion of abandoned projects – John Mahama

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2024 flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama, has reiterated his pledge to focus on completing abandoned projects including those started by the current administration.

Addressing a town hall meeting at Nsawura in the Sefwi Akontombra constituency in the Western North region, the former President said when he wins the polls next year, his  government will take stock of every single project irrespective of the regime which started it and break the cycle of leaving heavy loans tied to taxpayers’ money from going waste.

“It doesn’t matter which regime started it. Even projects started by Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration, we will complete them” he emphasized.”

Mr Mahama who is on a two-day of the region said this does not mean his new government will not undertake initiatives.

His assurance addresses the expectations of many Ghanaians who have severally condemned the decision by the current administration to suspend several road and other infrastructure projects including schools and hospitals, some of which have either been completed and are awaiting commissioning for the benefit of the masses.

It will be recalled that last month, Goasomanhene, Nana Akwasi Bosompra, could not but weep in open public when he shared concerns about neglect by the central government in terms of basic development, during a courtesy call on him by the NDC 2024 candidate during his tour of the Bono, Bono East and Ahafo regions.

On Wednesday, 13th December 2023, Paramount Chief of the Sefwi Traditional area Okatakyie Kwasi Bumangama II also bemoaned the false hope before the creation of new regions.

“Akuffo Addo said he has given us region but the region is incomplete” – Okatakyie Kwasi Bumangama II explained suggesting the much-expected development since the Western North was hived out of the Western region is yet to be seen.
John Mahama, who ends his tour of the region today, will cross over to the Western region tomorrow.

 

 

By Wisdom Hededzorme

Busines, News

High cost of local production fuelling Ghanaians’ taste for foreign products – Attah Issah

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Financial analyst and politician Attah Issah has blamed Ghana’s swelling import drive on the inability of the government to help businesses minimise cost of local production.

The Parliamentary candidate for the opposition NDC in Sagnarigu said the cost of doing business in Ghana has gone off the roof in than past year, making local products more expensive to the average Ghanaian who struggles to find a financial balance due to the harsh economic conditions.

To him, it is the reason the taste for foreign products has heightened among Ghanaians in the past few years, making it difficult for the government to control inflation.

Speaking in an interview on TV XYZ, Issah who is an entrepreneur bemoaned the tax components on the prices of locally made products, stressing that the west does not improve economies through imposing such nuisance taxes but rather create enabling environment for businesses to be more efficient and export more products.

“Ghana has acquired foreign taste due to [the] cost of doing business in Ghana,” he stated and explained that there is a demand for sanitary pads in the country but the locally ones are expensive due to the high cost of producing the pads.

“Because of government policies abroad, they are able to produce more at a lower cost so when their products come here you see that their prices are lower… so we have gradually acquired foreign taste.”

He said the situation also makes products made in Ghana very expensive on the international market hence hampering the country’s export drive.

He urged government to bridge the gap between the products being consumed in the country and what the country produces for the people. He wants the government to focus on agriculture and adding value to raw materials in the country.

“You need to prioritise areas that you think you have competitive advantage in,” he urged while pointing that the local production of cocoa, rice and sugar will help sustain the economy through foreign exchange.

To him, high interest rates were also hampering local production especially when private sector industry players lack access to credit to thrive and contribute to the growth of the country’s GDP.

Despite all the investments the NPP government brags of, Atta Issah believes the government did not channel the resources to the right sectors such as the private sector.

He also bemoaned that tax incentives were not given to the right companies, adding that a wanton amount of GHS 47 billion to “selected foreign companies” to the detriment of local firms.

Expressing disappointment in the Akufo-Addo government, Issah urged Ghanaians to believe in the flag bearer of the NDC, former President John Mahama, who has promised to tap into the human capital of the country through the implementation of a 24-hour economy to revive the country’s finaces.

“Tax exemptions shall be well targeted by the 24hr economy under Mahama,” he added.

NDC’s Approach to 24-hr economy

The 24-hour economy policy will be a major boost for the next NDC administration’s import substitution and export drive under John Mahama.

A Mahama government will leverage it to stabilize the national currency, improve Ghana’s reserves, bring down inflation and interest rates, create more employment opportunities and improve livelihoods.

Mahama has pledged that his government will create an enabling environment for businesses and companies to operate 24/7 by providing an atmosphere of improved security and public safety.

He pledges that his government will provide cheaper and reliable electricity for participating businesses based on a Time Of Use (TOU) tariff system.

Mahama has also promised Companies that sign unto the 24-hour economy policy modern smart meters which will be calibrated to charge a lesser tariff (per KW/h) for power consumed during off-peak hours.

Tax Incentives will also be given businesses that subscribe to the 24-hour Economy policy to reduce the cost of their operations and enhance their competitiveness.

The NDC government pledges to provide financing support  for certain strategic agro-processing factories and manufacturing companies to boost production for import substitution and exports.

 

By Henryson Okrah |Myxyzonline.com

 

News, Politics, Topstory

Provision of resources & incentives for institutions will make 24-hr economy work – Mahama

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The flag bearer of the opposition NDC, former President John Mahama, has reiterated his commitment to fulfilling his campaign promise of a 24-hour economy.

Vice President and leader of the governing NPP, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia, has dismissed Mr. Mahama’s understanding of the 24-hour economy policy.

He said the policy was not novelty since it is already being implemented in Ghana through the extended operations of hospitals, fuel companies, and some ‘chop bars.

Responding to critics of the promise, Mr Mahama stated that he knew some companies operate around the clock but was quick to add that the current development was not enough for economic transformation.

Emphasising on the possibility of  the policy, he stated that a future NDC government would facilitate its implementation by providing necessary resources and incentives for interested institutions to make it easier for everyone to participate.

He made the comment during a meeting with some NDC party executives in the Western-North Region as part of his two-day tour of the area dubbed “Building Ghana Tour.”

NDC’s Approach to 24-hr economy

The 24-hour economy policy will be a major boost for the next NDC administration’s import substitution and export drive under John Mahama.

A Mahama government will leverage it to stabilize the national currency, improve Ghana’s reserves, bring down inflation and interest rates, create more employment opportunities and improve livelihoods.

Mahama has pledged that his government will create an enabling environment for businesses and companies to operate 24/7 by providing an atmosphere of improved security and public safety.

He pledges that his government will provide cheaper and reliable electricity for participating businesses based on a Time Of Use (TOU) tariff system.

Mahama has also promised Companies that sign unto the 24-hour economy policy modern smart meters which will be calibrated to charge a lesser tariff (per KW/h) for power consumed during off-peak hours.

Tax Incentives will also be given businesses that subscribe to the 24-hour Economy policy to reduce the cost of their operations and enhance their competitiveness.

The NDC government pledges to provide financing support  for certain strategic agro-processing factories and manufacturing companies to boost production for import substitution and exports.

 

Source: Myxyzonline.com

News, Politics, Topstory

‘Be the driving force behind Mahama’s campaign’ – Lordina to NDC women

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Former First Lady, Lordina Mahama has charged the women in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to support the campaign of her husband, HE John Mahama, who is the flag bearer of the party to election 2024.

Mrs Mahama noted that the message of the former president to Ghanaians carries hope and must be propagated across the country for all Ghanaians to know.

She made this appeal when she met with NDC women organisers ahead of the campaign season and urged them to unite to be one force to sell the message of the NDC to the people of Ghana.

“Be the driving force behind the Mahama campaign and his message,” she charged the NDC women.

Assuring Ghanaians of a true leader in Mr Mahama, Madam Lordina stated that her husband’s “message, character, and attributes as the Nation Builder, a man with experience, an honest and reliable leader, and a president who will introduce a 24-hour economy to create more jobs must be heard in every corner of the country.”

Mahama’s Tour

The 2024 Presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress, John Dramani Mahama, has been touring some parts of the country to engage with the people as the party puts its manifesto together. Dubbed the ‘Building Ghana Tour’, Mr Mahama has engaged Ghanaians on the best way to govern when given the nod.

After touring the Bono, Ahafo and the Bono East regions, Mr Mahama will tomorrow, 13th December 2023, begin the second-leg of his Building Ghana Tour.

The tour will take him to Western North, Western and Central regions.

The former president is expected to spend two days in the Western North region where he will have various engagements including town hall meetings with party members and various groups such as market women, artisans, mechanics, and miners.

Mr. Mahama will also pay courtesy calls on traditional leaders, during which he will address some critical national issues and explain some of his policy proposals including the 24-hour economy.

On Wednesday, December 13, 2023, the former President, will first meet with party party executives, Members of Parliament from the region, Parliamentary candidates, former party executives and the Council of Elders at Sefwi Wiaswo.

The meeting scheduled to take place at the Rockey’s Conference Hall in the morning will discuss pertinent issues affecting the NDC’s campaign machinery in the region to strategize ahead of the 2024 elections.

On day-one of his visit, he will pay a courtesy call on the Omanhene of the Sefwi Wiawso Traditional area, Katakyie Kwasi Bumangama II before an engagement with students at the Sefwi Wiawso College of Education, dubbed ‘Campus Connect’.

According to his itinerary, Mr Mahama, who shall be accompanied by former Chief of Staff Julius Debrah and some national executives of the party, will also tour the Akontombra, Bodi and Bia constituencies.

His entourage will cross over to the Western region where he will spend two days 16th and 17th December and wrap up the second leg of his visit, which will also solicit complaints to inform NDC’s manifesto in the Central region.

He is expected back in Accra by December 22, 2023.

 

Source: Myxyzonline.com

News, Politics

NDC Group of Experts meet Ghana Federation of Labour

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Tema, Dec. 11, GNA – The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Group of Experts, known as the LAB, has engaged the leadership of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL) on the modalities of the party’s proposed 24-hour economy, tagged as a “National Game Changer.”

Led by Professor Danso Boafo, they discussed the “24-hour economy, focus on reindustrialization, and job creation,” sought to share the NDC’s policy transformation agenda with players in the industrial sector, and offered stakeholders the opportunity to make an input into the party’s national development agenda.

The group also included Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, NDC Election 2020 Vice Presidential Candidate; Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, former Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection and some leading members of the NDC.

The two groups also discussed challenges facing workers, industry, and the general socio-economic crisis in which Ghana finds itself, while the NDC Expert Group used the opportunity to seek GFL’s views and inputs into the next NDC government’s proposed policies to transform the country.

The meeting deliberated on issues such as the current economic hardships occasioned by economic mismanagement, the effect of high taxes and utility bills on industries, and the consequential collapse of some companies and layoffs of workers.

The GFL applauded former President John Dramani Mahama, who is also the NDC flagbearer for Elections 2024, and the NDC’s proposed 24-hour economy policy.

The GFL also made proposals on how the policy can be implemented effectively to enhance productivity and create jobs for the benefit of Ghanaians.

The leadership of GFL emphasised the need to support distressed and collapsed industries under the 24-hour Economy Policy for job creation.

Both parties agreed to collaborate in exploring solutions to current socioeconomic challenges affecting workers and Ghanaians in general.

According to the GFL, the Ghanaian economy had ground to a halt, causing massive job losses because of systemic failures of economic policies.

”Extinction of trade unions is imminent if the current trend of reckless management of the fragile economy is not reversed and the manufacturing industries across all sectors of the economy (formal and informal, including business in byproducts) employ not less than 60 percent of the labour force in the country,” GFL stated.

During a presentation, Mr. Abraham Koomson, GFL Secretary General, noted that the 24-hour economy would boost the manufacturing industry through direct growth in the export economy, a reduction in the demand for foreign currency, and a stronger cedi forex relationship.

Mr. Koomson noted that it would also lead to an increase in employment and provide an attractive investment environment for foreign direct investment.

Speaking on policies for “Economic Transformation, Job Creation, and Workers’ Welfare,” the GFL Secretary General noted that the Agro industry apart from food production, served as a source of raw materials for the manufacturing industry.

Mr. Koomson noted that, looking at the state of the deteriorated economy, the revival of these industries could not happen overnight.

However, “with the commitment of the NDC as announced by former President Mahama, appropriate measures and interventions as suggested by the Federation should be considered.

“We will hasten the revival of industries across the country to create jobs to enhance the growth of the economy. Governments worldwide give a premium to the manufacturing industry because that is the growth cycle for the development agenda.

“The manufacturing industry can only grow and produce the expected added value if investors have the assurance of investment protection, growth, and uninterrupted continuity,” Mr. Koomson noted.

Mr. Koomson said “investments in land, plant, machinery, and related equipment for the comprehensive package of the manufacturing business required that the investment needed not less than an assured continuous operational period of 15 to 20 years to recoup, all other things being constant.

“The current piecemeal granting of zero VAT for locally manufactured textile products is as good as the uncertainty that characterises the investment in the industry.

“The government ought to promote investment assurance in the industry, which will also make the industry competitive. An uninterrupted relief period carries with it the assurance that every investor desires.

“The imposition of unhealthy and treacherous indirect taxes creates an unfavourable investment climate.”

He said the imposition of outrageous indirect taxes like excise and levies resulted in soaring prices of goods and services because such excise levies inflated the taxable base of goods. Even those consumed by the school going pre-teen and teen ages were not proofs of GDP growth but a destruction to the parental financial strength.

Mr. Koomson stressed that the recent expanded inclusion of certain products in the excise duty regime by the government was noticed to be killing productivity, resulting in the laying off workers and the closing down of factories because of extremely low sales in the face of higher production costs, amongst others.

source:  GNA

News, Politics

Mahama’s 24-hr economy will be a game changer in Sagnarigu – Attah Issah

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The NDC Parliamentary candidate for Sagnarigu, Mr Attah Issah, has blamed the heightening unemployment in the country on the incompetence of the Akufo-Addo government.

The financial analyst who was speaking in an interview on TV XYZ noted that, the government’s ‘One District One Factory’ policy was implemented poorly, leaving many districts without industries to help add value to their common raw materials in the country.

Mr Issah said as a result of the government’s failure to fulfill that industrialization drive promise, unemployment rate has skyrocketed in the past seven years under the NPP administration.

For instance, he indicated that his constituency–Sagnarigu– in Tamale cannot boast of any factory to add value to the raw materials being harvested in the area.

“This government hasn’t created anything in my constituency that will recruit people,” he lamented.

Attah Issah made this observation while commenting on the feasibility of a pledge by the NDC’s flag bearer, Mr John Mahama, to revive the country’s ailing financial architecture through a 24-hour way of doing business.

Describing it as a game changer that will thrive on industrialization, Attah Issah stated that the policy will create sustainable jobs in Sagnarigu for the people.

“This policy will be a stimulus package , that will invite businesses to sign up to.
Security will be available and then citizens will get jobs . We won’t have graduate unemployment in the third quarter alone to be 25%.”

“In my constituency,  fortunately, we are a farming community. Look, the value chain is a problem; we are harvesting currently….I am a farmer. I just finished harvesting my maize. Now, when the maize is harvested, we bring it straight to Accra raw. You know our tax regime; location is also influencing your tax percentage, so when there is an incentive for somebody to process maize into something and they set it up in my constituency, I have a lot of graduate unemployed people who will take advantage of it,” Attah Issah noted.

Adding weight to the policy, he explained that his constituency is “just like an outlier” stressing that “we stand to benefit immensely from” the policy under the next John Dramani Mahama government.

 

Source: Myxyzonline.com

News, Politics

Applaud Minority caucus for rejecting 2024 budget – Ako Gunn to NDC members

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A deputy national communication officer of the NDC, Godwin Ako Gunn has urged members of the party to commend the Minority caucus for rejecting the 2024 Budget and Economic Policy of the government in their numbers.

The Minority had argued that the taxes the government wanted to impose on Ghanaians at a time the hardship in the country keeps skyrocketing were too much.

The caucus thus blocked the approval of the budget a couple of times.

But today, Parliament finally approved the 2024 budget, despite stiff opposition from the Minority.

After the headcount, the Majority caucus had 138 votes while the minority caucus had 136 votes.

But Ako Gunn in a statement said the budget presented to Parliament is “one of the worst ever in the history of Ghana” but was enthused by the energy 9f the minority in rejecting it.

“Our parliamentary leadership has so far done wonderful work by exposing the wickedness of the NPP, the hardships ahead of us, and the difficulties businesses and citizens are going to face next year,” he added.

 

Below is his statement; 

 

LET US APPLAUD THE RESILIENCE OF THE MINORITY FOR A GREAT WORK!*

07/12/23
BY: Godwin Ako Gunn

Today is a significant day on our political calendar, 7th December 2023. Just a year more to go.

The budget presented to Parliament is one of the worst ever in the history of Ghana. Our parliamentary leadership has so far done wonderful work by exposing the wickedness of the NPP, the hardships ahead of us, and the difficulties businesses and citizens are going to face next year. As it stands, the budget has gone through. Let’s brace up for 2024.

Comrades, again, It is a great day because the unity of the minority has been reinforced !!! 100% on our side voted “No,” and that was significant. Thank you, Hon. Minority MPs for going through this long haul on our behalf.

There was no way we were going to win this headcount unless the members on the other side refused to appear or cared for the people of Ghana.

On our side, we have done our part. We fought a good fight for the people of Ghana, yet we were limited by our numbers.

Next year, just about this time, when you are handed the ballot paper, think about today, think about the sacrifices of the Minority in Parliament, and grant the NDC the majority in parliament. Never say your vote won’t matter. Prepare for the better days ahead.

KUN FA YAKUN

 

Source: Myxyzonline.com

Politics

KT Hammond is a joker; Import Ban Bill was needless– NDC’s Nii Aryee

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A former parliamentary aspirant for Obom-Domeabra constituency, Richard Nii Aryee has stated that the Minister for Trade and Industry, KT Hammond, must be sacked.

He said the MP for Adansi Asokwa is not fit to occupy the high office because he lacks the requisite modern knowledge of trade to man the ministry.

Speaking to King Nicholas on Battle Ground on Power FM, Nii Aryee said the drafting of the Import Restriction Bill 2023 shows that he is incompetent.

Background

The L.I. (Import Restriction Bill 2023) which the Trade and Industry Minister, KT Hammond, wanted to lay in Parliament was to compel importers of at least 22 restricted items.

The products include poultry, rice, sugar, diapers, animal and vegetable oil, margarine and fruit juices.

The rest are; soft drink, mineral water, noodles and pasta, ceramic tiles, corrugated paper and paper board, mosquito coil and insecticides, soaps and detergents, motor cars, iron and steel, cement, polymers (plastics and plastic products), fish, clothing and apparel, biscuits and canned tomatoes.

If one had to import any of the above products, the person would have seek licence from a committee to be set up by the Trade and Industry Minister.

But reacting to the development, Nii Aryee supported the position of the business Community that there has not been the necessary stakeholder consultation.

KT Hammond is a joker.. When he drafted the bill, he should have made sure the country has the capacity to meet the demand of these products in the country.

“If you can’t do that you dare not implement such a policy. They wanted to do that to take some people out of business and allow only NPP persons to make money through the policy,” he added.

Suspension

Meanwhile, the Government of Ghana has suspended the laying of the controversial Legislative Instrument (LI).

Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah who announced the suspension of the bill explained that government’s decision would allow for further engagement with stakeholders and ensure everyone is on the same page.

He emphasized the importance of this engagement, highlighting the goal of boosting local production of these goods.

“There is the need to get everyone rallying around it because it will ensure that the local production of these items are boosted,” the Ofoase-Ayirebi MP said, adding, “The idea is to ensure that the outstanding stakeholders get an opportunity to have their views expressed and considered,” he noted.

criticisms

There has been widespread criticism from the business community and the Minority caucus in Parliament.

The Minority in Parliament, on three occasions, blocked the laying of the L.I. citing violation of international trade practices. The caucus also argued that the policy could give too much powers to the minister, a situation which has the propensity to breed corruption.

Apart from that the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), Food and Beverages Association of Ghana (FABAG), Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana, Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF), Chamber of Automobile Dealership Ghana (CADEG), and Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI)  united under the Joint Business Consultative Forum submitted a petition to Parliament over the pending Bill.

In a petition dated November 26, the group said: “We vehemently oppose this LI and would appreciate its immediate rejection by Parliament to allow for proper consultations and dialogue to take place.”

“We strongly oppose this LI on the following grounds: The price of most products mentioned in the Ministry of Trade and Industry policy proposal will result in serious price hikes, as competition will be severely restricted,” the group noted.

 

Source: Myxyzonline.com