ghananlpcommunity/ghana-gov-speeches-sentences huggingface dataset:
Such that we can address exchange rate volatilities due to needless imports.
The world is growing fast.
We need to keep up with this new rhythm, so first, think of the 24hour economy as an accelerator—the best accelerator or catalyst we could possibly have.
A 24hour economy will increase the production and distribution of goods and services and accelerate the economic exchanges between people and companies.
With that, we will start growing at an unprecedented pace while providing decent jobs for the youth.
I have said that leadership is about vision, and I stand by it.
But leadership is also about caring, about giving people genuine, solid hope.
This is what a 24-hour economy really is about.
The 24-hour economy is a solid way to replace imports with homegrown production of goods and thus create a solid base for a vibrant Ghanaian industry.
In many instances, we don’t import goods because they’re better than ours; we import them because nobody produces them here, in Ghana, in the first place or because the local production is insufficient.
The stimulus package for companies wanting to participate in the 24-hour economy will convince businesses, and I am sure of it, to start producing import substitutes.
Because the market for such products already exists.
Through the 24-hour economy, businesses will be incentivised to start producing for this market.
It’s the simplest way to start growing sustainably.
And when this begins to happen, imagine the number of new jobs that will be created!
And here’s another thing about the 24-hour economy: it will boost exports.
Many Ghanaian companies will start looking for foreign partners to develop their businesses to take advantage of the new opportunities available to them via a 24-hour economy.
Thanks to the African Cotinental Free Trade Area, these partnerships will open new foreign markets to Ghanaian companies.
Goods produced in Ghana will then be exported to other parts of the continent, India, Europe, or North America, using the connections of foreign partners.
As I have said before, I will personally chair an Accelerated Exports Development Programme that will identify and promote exports in the manufacturing, agricultural products, textiles, fruits and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and extractive sectors.
It is important to understand that the 24-hour economy will generate a network of foreign markets for Ghanaian entrepreneurs and will transform Ghana into an export-led economy.
So, I say that the 24-hour economy is also about national pride.
It is about creating jobs through enhanced productivity, connecting Ghana with the wider world, and making Ghanaians proud of what they can accomplish here.
Once the 24-hour economy is set in motion, the rhythm of growth will start to accelerate exponentially.
And Ghana will be open for business 24 hours.
My 24-hour Economy initiative will anchor my determination to change the structure of the Ghanaian economy through the active support of private sector-led growth.
Be assured that the 24-hour economy initiative is a well-thought-through, data-driven, evidence-based, and comprehensive policy to expand critical and strategic segments of our economy sustainably.
It will liberate Ghanaians from the shackles of unemployment and economic dependence.
Governance—Fighting Corruption for Development I am committed to drastically reducing the size of government—and rightly so!
This government has sufficiently proven to Ghanaians that with over 120 ministers and deputy ministers, all they could offer was to run the economy aground.
I will run a lean, highly effective, and efficient government of no more than 60 (sixty) ministers and deputy ministers.
This is solid proof of my genuine commitment to curbing government expenditure.
My leaner government will be the cleanest government Ghana has ever experienced.
It will serve Ghanaians far better and set higher standards for future governments.
What we have now can obviously never be and should never be a yardstick.
My goal is to launch a renewed fight against corruption.
I will keep my appointees in check, and Ghanaians can be assured that drastic steps will be taken to punish the corrupt officials and their accomplices in this present government.
No actor in this NPP corruption enterprise will be spared.
We will also take action to repossess what has been unlawfully stolen from the Ghanaian people.
As we all know, government procurement is a significant source of corruption.
No economy can sustain inclusive and equitable social and economic well-being with the penchant for public service holders to be self-serving and corrupt, as is currently the case.
The use of public finances will always be compliant with national laws, transparent, justified by contemporary value-for-money tests, and solely in the interest of the broader citizens.
If we want to eliminate corruption, we must increase accountability in government procurement processes.
Accountability gives power back to the people.
God willing, as the incoming president and leader, I assure the people of Ghana that the NDC is fully committed to accountability.
This is why one of our key policies will be to set up an independent value-for-money office to scrutinise all government procurements above a $5 million threshold or as shall be recommended by Parliament.
Transparency and accountability are the keys to fighting corruption.
We will fight corruption by creating an office that will dynamically scrutinise all government procurements.
Coupled with a lean government of no more than 60 ministers and deputy ministers, I guarantee you that we will win this fight!
Developing the Agriculture and Agribusiness sector with specialised zones in all regions, with support from the Farmer Service Centres and Exim Bank.
Ladies and gentlemen, some say agriculture belongs to poor people, but I say agriculture can generate significant wealth and employment.
We live in a world crippled by the ever-increasing effects of climate change.
In this uncertain and sometimes volatile world, food security becomes a strategic issue.
To put it simply, we cannot even begin to think about transforming Ghana if we don’t put the right focus on agriculture.
We cannot be successful in anything if we do not first put food on the table at an affordable cost for our people.
Agriculture is the cornerstone of growth.
Ignoring it is like trying to build a house without a foundation: the slightest storm will bring it down.
Without reliable access to affordable and nutritious food in sufficient quantity, growth and development are impossible.
So, I don’t look at agriculture as an occupation for the poor—I look at it as the very basis of our future.
The simplest way to achieve food security is to produce food locally.
If you produce food locally, you are not dependent on imports, so you can still feed the people even if the international distribution lines are broken.
This is the food security strategy I am fighting for.
This is why I’m looking at farmers, fishermen, and other protein producers as strategic partners in building the Ghana we want—a modern, vibrant, thriving Ghana.
Others may look down on agriculture.
I am a farmer myself.
I see farmers as my close brothers and sisters because of their strategic importance in helping Ghana become a true Black Star not only of Africa but of the world.
They inspire me, and I hope I inspire them too.
Let me share just 3 (three) examples of policies we will implement as soon as we form the next government.
We shall establish special agro industrial zones in all sixteen regions to add value to local crops they have a comparative advantage to produce and thereby boost exports and reduce raw material imports.
Secondly, we shall create opportunities for farmers to improve food security and bolster economic growth through the establishment of farmer service centres across the country.
This will be enhanced by well-established farmer cooperatives, advanced farming techniques, modern digital tools, and the promotion of agribusinesses.
And three, we will launch a programme similar to “Operation Feed Yourself and Industries” of the early 1970s to make Ghana self-sufficient in basic staples and curb unnecessary imports.
All three policies exemplify to the highest degree my vision of agriculture as the cornerstone of our future growth.
True leadership, like I said, is about vision and about empowering people to live that vision.
Digital youth Let’s face it—the digital revolution is here to stay.
It has already transformed our lives in ways that were simply unpredictable only a decade ago and will continue to do so.
Around the world and here in Ghana, we now have digitised factories and even digital agriculture.
This is the fourth industrial revolution.
The fifth industrial revolution – the Cognitive Age that brings human and machine intelligence into close proximity for sustainable growth – beckons.
The sooner we embrace it, the more prosperous we’ll become.
This is why I am a true and firm believer in the right to affordable and reliable internet.
I believe that currently, everybody should have access to the Internet.
You may remember that four years ago, I promised Ghanaians that, if elected President, I would provide them with universal and affordable internet access.
My promise still stands because my vision of a digital Ghana is as strong as ever.
It is a vision that led me, as president, to deploy massive fixed and wireless broadband for reliable internet across our country.
It remains an undying vision.
We need to be young in mind and in spirit.
This is a fabulous time in our history, a time in which we must be bold, create, and take advantage of the huge opportunities the digital world, particularly the digital economy, offers us.
Based on this vision of a new, vibrant, digital Ghana, the next NDC Government will partner with local tech start-ups and businesses to launch a ‘Digital Jobs Initiative’ to create at least 300,000 skilled employment opportunities for the youth.
Imagine this: 300,000 employment opportunities for our youth!
And this is in a field they not only love but oUen excel at.
I look at my children, nieces, and nephews, and I’m amazed at their digital skills, as I’m sure many parents in Ghana are.
So, I am telling you, like I tell everybody else, let these kids thrive!
They are our future, so let them build this future.
It will be glorious, I promise you!
All they need from us is our support and understanding – and I promise all of them my full support and my wholehearted understanding!
My dearest young Ghanaians, I stand by you 100%, and I always will!
When we talk about the digital revolution, we also need to talk about the digital divide – about those who are left behind.
On my watch, I will do whatever it takes to provide universal access and bridge the digital divide in our country.
We shall close the digital gap.
The NDC promises you this: we shall train One Million Coding Professionals in in-demand digital skills for the growing Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and Knowledge Process Outsourcing ecosystems, ensuring no one is left behind in the digital revolution.
One million coders – think about it!
And we can do it!
This is our pledge to you: no Ghanaian will be left behind in the digital revolution!
Let me assure the sports fraternity that we shall develop our stadium infrastructure for track and field sports, fix the deteriorating football pitches, and pay stipends to footballers in the premier league.
What we call the lesser-known sports shall receive equitable attention.
I have good news for the creative industry.
Our overarching policy for the industry shall be the Black Experience.
This will be geared towards boosting the tourism and creative arts sector.
It will include Pan African Month, Ghana Film Festival and Awards Month, Ghanaian Heritage and History Month, Fashion and Food Month, and Diasporan Month.
Additionally, we will rehabilitate all our regional Centres of National Culture and make them available for the creative industry.
We will also support ageing artists.
Conclusion Together, we shall overcome.
Together, we shall reset the narrative and restore Ghana to its rightful place among the comity of nations.
The time for change has come, and the time to change this non-performing, corrupt government is now!
Let us seize this moment to build the Ghana we want together for a brighter future for our children and for generations to come.
God bless our homeland, Ghana.
I would like to stop here and invite you to ask your questions so we can continue the conversation about the many other issues I have left out for now.
I want to start by acknowledging the Chairman and members of the Council of Elders of our great party, – National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah and the entire National Executive Committee – Regional and Constituency Executive Members, my kingmakers the Branch Executives, supporters, and sympathisers of the NDC.
To our revered traditional leaders, opinion leaders, senior members of our party, Members of Parliament and the general viewing and listening public, I say thank you.
I must add, very quickly, how happy I am to be speaking here at the University for Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale, having earlier launched my campaign at the University for Health and Allied Sciences in the Volta region – two universities established by our great political tradition, the NDC.
Appreciation Yesterday Sunday 14th May was Mother’s Day.
Let me use this opportunity to extend my Mother’s Day appreciation to Lordina and all Ghanaian women.
With profound gratitude, I humbly accept to be the Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress.
Thank you for your vote of confidence and for your unshaken conviction that I am the most suitable person with the experience and the vision to lead our party, the NDC, to victory in 2024.
We must win the elections to enable us to build the Ghana we want together.
I pledge to lead you to a resounding victory in December 2024.
Let me, on your behalf and on my own behalf, acknowledge the contribution of Dr Kwabena Duffuor, Former Mayor Kojo Bonsu and Ernest Kobea towards enhancing the internal democratic systems of our party.
I also wish to thank the staff of the Electoral Commission for their support in making our Parliamentary and Presidential Primaries a resounding success.
My special thanks go to Serebour Quaicoo and his District Election Directors for working over and above the call of duty to ensure a successful election.
To you the kingmakers of the NDC, I say thank you for electing me with an overwhelming and unequivocal 297,603 votes, which is 98.9% of the total valid votes cast.
This margin of victory is deafening, emphatic and resounding.
It is indicative of the unwavering singular intent of the NDC to win election 2024.
I accept this onerous responsibility placed on my shoulders with absolute humility and a deep sense of respect for the tough tasks that lie ahead in Resetting our beloved nation Ghana to one that allows us to regain our lost glory.
Ours is a nation that led the decolonization process in Africa; a nation held up as the model of democracy and governance in Africa; a nation of prudence in the management of its economy and national resources.
This victory is not about me, John Dramani Mahama.
It is about our people and the creation of a society that allows our citizens to live a decent and dignified life.
It is about expanding access to health care so that our mothers and sisters would not lose their lives carrying out their biological duty of procreation; it is about the little children whose promising future is cut short because of a dangerous boat crossing in search of education.
It is also about managing our economy and finances in a manner that does not require the appropriation of the lifetime investments of our retired senior citizens and the middle class.
This victory is about raising securities, investments, and funds for future generations and not just for spending in a day; it is about restoring trust, once again in our institutions, and engendering love and pride in the name, of Ghana.
But first, we must win the elections in 2024, and that will require from all of us, hard work and winning the trust of the people of Ghana.
The NDC and Ghana’s interests must, therefore, continue to guide and bind us all together as one people from one great family.
From today, right here, in this hall of the University for Development Studies, I declare that the internal competition for the Flagbearer position is over.
You have chosen experience with vision, over experiments, and I am confident that in December 2024, Ghanaians will make that choice that puts us back on the path of building the Ghana we want together.
We must flip the coin from competition to cooperation.
We need cooperation to build a better Ghana and a better NDC.
I am, therefore, calling for cooperation among all elected parliamentary candidates and your aspirants and supporters.
Incumbent Members of Parliament who lost their primaries must also keep your heads up.
You remain a hero for the good job you have done, and continue to do, for our party and country.
We need your experience and talents for the onerous job that faces us when the good people of Ghana give us a mandate to steer the affairs of this country once more.
Above all, we need you in the remaining one and half years of your Parliamentary mandate to carry out your duties with dedication and commitment to safeguarding the interest of the Ghanaian people.
I intend to meet with you as early as possible.
The party needs you, and we will continue to rely on you as we seek to win election 2024 and change the destiny of the suffering people of Ghana.
We must remain one family.
Let me emphasize and urge all of us, as members of the NDC, to re-dedicate ourselves, commit our energies and resources to work hard to win the 2024 elections.
I assure you of my open-mindedness, my open-door policy, and my commitment to run a government based on merit and competence.
Let me reaffirm my unshaken commitment to offer the needed support to our Parliamentary Candidates and all Constituencies to make certain that we secure a healthy majority in the next parliament.
This means, we must conclude the outstanding parliamentary elections in earnest so that we can focus our resources on the campaign for the upcoming national elections.
I assure you that, together with the National Chairman, General Secretary, and the other Executives, we will plan and campaign, very vigorously, with clear objectives and strategic outcomes.
We owe it as a duty to our country to do so, and we shall.
On this note, as I dissolve my innovative, hardworking, and successful campaign coordinating team – led by Professor Joshua Alabi – I wish to thank the team, my staff, security, media, the NDC Regional Chairmen, regional and constituency campaign teams, my wife, Lordina, and children, my siblings, and all others who were on this journey with me.
I can never repay you for your generosity, dedication, and love for me and for our country, Ghana.
Let’s hold on to hope.
Ladies and Gentlemen, we must urgently commence building the Ghana we want together because our dear nation Ghana is sailing through perilous seas.
Our socioeconomic foundation as a nation has, in the last few years, not only been threatened, but fractured and dislocated.
Corruption and the raid on the public purse have come to a crescendo.
The rights of citizens including journalists no longer matter to government.
In the last two years, Ghana has dropped on the Press Freedom index.
Our National Health Insurance Scheme is comatose.
The scheme is starved of funds by the Government’s capping policy and refusal to release proceeds of the National Health Insurance Levy to the National Health Insurance Authority.
Patients are faced with an empty scheme that only ensures retrieval of their medical folders and consultation.
Even basic drugs such as analgesics, cough mixtures and antibiotics, must be purchased by patients themselves.
For the first time in our history, retirees and the middle class are facing existential threats to their survival and financial stability due to gross mismanagement of our economy by a grossly inept Finance Minister and Economic Management Team.
For the first time in known memory, newborn babies are unable to access the full complement of their childhood vaccines.
Yet these newborns and the younger generation also face the heavy burden of inheriting a suffocating national debt, which stands at almost GH¢600 billion, the equivalent of over 100% of GDP.
Only a fortnight ago, the government recalled Members of Parliament, and the main purpose was to approve a further $710 million more debt to compound the already choking national debt.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the lack of vision and prospects by government is patently discomforting.
That is why we have no option but to win elections 2024 to reset our country on a path of transformation for progress and prosperity.
I come to you, the good people of Ghana, and I say, there is hope for our country!
That hope will emanate from our very self as a resilient nation; a people with a passionate appetite for progress and prosperity; a people capable of rising from the ashes of a catastrophe like a phoenix to build a stronger and smarter nation to serve our needs and wants.
The hope also springs from a leadership willing to accept responsibility and fix problems, rather than pass the buck.
A leadership that is honest and does not lie to its people.
A leadership that is consultative and willing to build a consensus in solving the challenges that confront Ghanaians in their daily lives.
I have an unshakeable conviction, I believe, and I know Ghana shall rise again.
My vision for our beloved Ghana aligns with your expectations for a better Ghana, one that we will build together.
Beyond my vision, ladies and gentlemen, our constitution also gives us hope.
It creates the foundation for our 4th Republican democracy.
A democratic dispensation that is still the best form of government and which we must guard and protect, because however abysmal and appalling the performance of a government is, the people have an opportunity to make a change at the next election.
Clearly the Akufo-Addo and Bawumia NPP administration has failed to meet the expectation of the Ghanaian people and they must prepare to bow out at the next election.
They must start preparing their handing-over notes and account to the people of Ghana for their stewardship.
Economy and Jobs Yes, there is hope for our country.
I firmly believe in our collective ability as a party to lead a transformation agenda that restores decent values, revives youthful aspirations and ambitions.
Ours will be a progressive government that provides equal opportunities for sustainable and decent livelihoods.
I am convinced that by working together with Ghanaians, we shall turn Ghana’s hopelessness and gloom today into a better and brighter tomorrow.
Ladies and gentlemen let us talk about the ‘destructive’ elephant in the room – the economy.
Literally and figuratively, the government’s Economic Management Team has displayed grave incompetence, mismanaged Ghana’s economy, and inflicted severe hardship on Ghanaians, including the elderly and the young.
Ghanaians now know the address of the so-called “solid economic management team.”
The Chairman and members of the EMT have become the butt of jokes in people’s homes, in the markets, in restaurants, on social media, and on the airwaves because of their misguided commentaries both in opposition and government.
As a leader your word should always be truthful, it should be sincere and honest.
If you are not truthful, you lose the trust of the people.
Prices of goods and services continue to see extreme increases with devastating effects on the livelihood of Ghanaians.
The price trends reflect the inflationary increase from 15.4% in December 2016 to over 40% presently.
Unfortunately, as inflation rises, unemployment has not improved but worsened.
The growth rate of the agriculture sector, which was 2.7% in 2016, despite all the slogans, was a paltry 0.7% in 2022.
The manufacturing sector, which stood at 7.9% in 2016 dipped to 4.5% in 2022; and the construction sector has gone down from 8.4% in 2016 to 4.2% in 2022.