Story by Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
The Founder of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, has tasked the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to take firm steps to ensure indigenous Ghanaian control (ownership) of the financial sector–banking, insurance, investment, pension, and others at all levels.
The business mogul and politician made the call in an open letter to President Akufo-Addo on the Ghana Beyond Aid idea and asked for a complete ban on the importation of chocolate, soft drinks, fruit juices and fruits, rice, sugar, poultry, and meats.
He has also called on the Nana Addo-led government to walk the talk of the “Ghana Beyond Aid” mantra.
According to Dr Nduom, for the president to succeed with his “Ghana Beyond Aid” agenda, the government must first ban the serving of imported foods and drinks at all state functions,
Again, implementers of the school feeding programmes must only use locally produced foods and drinks.
He added, “All professional services agreements – architectural, technology, financial, etc., must have at least 25% indigenous Ghanaian participation. All new and renewed concessions for gold, bauxite, oil and gas, diamonds, and timber must have a minimum of 25% indigenous Ghana ownership.
The digitalization agenda must be placed firmly, 100% in the hands of indigenous Ghanaians and their companies. Give full rights and recognition to Ghanaians who by necessity have become citizens of other countries—to vote, be employed by the state, and compete for elective offices. Will this hurt? Initially, yes. But eventually, we will be a better country, one whose citizens can aspire to prosperity with confidence.“
Below is the full letter:
HE. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
Jubilee House
Accra
Dear Mr. President,
Ghana Beyond Aid: My Recommendations To Walk the Talk
“Ghana Beyond Aid” is a vision put forth by your Administration. You have articulated this forcefully and pushed it in presentations to Ghanaian citizens. You have also stood your ground on this with foreign leaders particularly those from the western divide of global governance. Many have hailed it and bought into it as a vital agenda.
Recently though, the vision seems to be fading and does not find expression in formal presentations such as the budget and your own speeches at home and abroad. It is time to light some fire under this vision and make it real.
To begin with, I support this vision for Ghana because it will promote self-reliance that would lead to greater prosperity for our citizens.
I am a supporter of “Ghana Beyond Aid” without reservations.
My concern is that this vision may become a mere slogan. Over the years, Ghanaians have heard “the private sector is the engine of growth” with no fuel to make the engine move for the benefit of the people. They have been presented with “Zero Tolerance for Corruption” and “Probity, Accountability, Transparency” and yet corruption is seen by citizens as the main barrier to their well-being. Many leaders, in business and politics, have put out their versions of “Ghana First” visions yet there is no standard agenda to work with to make it come alive.
When the late General Ignatius Kutu Acheampong championed the Ghanaian ownership of the commanding heights of the economy, it spawned concrete actions that are still delivering benefits to the state and its people. “Operation Feed Yourself” was and remains a popular policy from the Acheampong era.
Given where we are, the following are actions I highly recommend for you consider implementing to push the “Ghana Beyond Aid” vision.
All infrastructure contracts signed by the state must have a minimum of 25% of value go to an indigenous Ghanaian and his/her enterprise.
All Cocoa roads and projects funded by COCOBOD must be given to indigenous Ghanaians and their companies.
Ban completely, the importation of chocolate, soft drinks, fruit juices, fruits, poultry, and meats.
Ban the importation of rice and sugar.
Immediately ban serving any imported food or drink at all state functions.
School feeding programmes must only use locally produced food and drinks.
Take firm steps to ensure indigenous Ghanaian control (ownership) of the financial sector – banking, insurance, investment, pension, and others at all levels.
All professional services agreements – architectural, technology, financial, etc., must have at least 25% indigenous Ghanaian participation.
All new and renewed concessions for gold, bauxite, oil and gas, diamond, and timber must have a minimum of 25% indigenous Ghana ownership.
The digitalization agenda must be placed firmly, 100% in the hands of indigenous Ghanaians and their companies.
Give full rights and recognition to Ghanaians who by necessity have become citizens of other countries – to vote, be employed by the state, and compete for elective offices.
Will this hurt? Initially, yes. But eventually, we will be a better country, one whose citizens can aspire to prosperity with confidence.
I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss the recommendations further.
Presented, Your Excellency, for your consideration.
Papa Kwesi Nduom.
