ghananlpcommunity/ghana-gov-speeches-sentences huggingface dataset:
Every President inherits the unfinished work of his predecessor.
Every president benefits from the seeds planted by his predecessor, seeds that could not be sown during his predecessor's tenure.
Indeed, I believe if politics could be described as a sport, the one it would most closely resemble is a relay.
It is a sport that relies as much on individual achievement as it does on teamwork and cooperative effort.
The true test of that competition is in the passing of the baton.
So, too, with politics.
Speaker, President Jerry John Rawlings started the structural transformation of this economy under the Economic Recovery Programme.
This programme restored Ghana to a path of growth which he handed over to President John Agyekum Kufuor.
President Kufuor continued the economic adjustment programme and under the HIPC initiative achieved significant debt reduction.
Implementing new social intervention programmes such as NHIS and LEAP, he passed it on to President John Evans Atta Mills.President Mills commenced the Eastern Corridor road project, University of Ghana Medical Centre, which I inaugurated yesterday, the Kotokoraba market, Cape Coast stadium and host of others which I inherited and completed.
My administration commenced the construction of new community day senior high schools, a policy of progressively free secondary education, construction of the eastern university, investments in many infrastructure projects that are ongoing and many others that will actually commence under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
I am assured by his firm statements that he will continue these projects as enjoined by our constitution.
I wish him all success in this regard.
As I have said many times already, regardless of whose tenure in which these visions come to fruition, itssuccess belongs to Ghana.
They belong to all of us.
Speaker, Political opposition and differences of opinion are vital to the health and growth of a democracy.
Political parties are formed when people of similar ideology come together to move their agenda forward in a way that best serves their country.
But the wellbeing of the nation and the will of the people must always come first.
Partisanship for its own sake, in the end, is no better than dictatorship.
If we look around the world, we can so clearly see the deep divide that blind partisanship is creating in nations with democracies far older than ours.
We can see, too, the divide that it is threatening to create in ours if we are not careful.
Already, it has taken a toll on our morale and our sense of optimism.
It has given way to a cynicism that is as dangerous to the incoming political party as it was to ours.
We cannot afford as a nation to wish or hope for the failure of any president and his or her government.Ensuring accountability is not the same as levelinginsults or encouraging apathy.
We have history as proof that we have been better and we have done better.
And we will, we must, do better once again.
Speaker, I first entered this house as MP for Bole Bamboi inJanuary 1997.
It was, perhaps not coincidentally, the same year that Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo entered as MP for Akyem Abuakwa.
Taking breaks from the business of the house to grab something to eat at the snack bar, Nana Addo always stood at the end of the counter, his signature white handkerchief tucked into his sleeve.
“Johnny” he would shout in greeting as he preferred to call me.
Incidentally we both served three terms in this house, departing together in January 2009.
This is how long I have known the president-elect and worked with him.
I have the utmost respect for him.
Given our history, especially that we have each had our turn on each side of a presidential election, it would seem only natural for us to be considered opponents- worthy opponents is the description generally used in the world of sports.
In fact, Mr.
Speaker, we are all on the same team.
We worked together when I served as Ranking member on the Committee of Foreign Affairs at a time Nana Addo was the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration.
One of the issues on which we crossed swords was the murder of some Ghanaian youth in the Gambia.
It is instructive that as I leave office and he takes my place, Gambia once again is a nation that is engaginginternational attention.
Speaker, It is my assertion that the information I've provided is a snapshot of the current state of our nation.
As I have said before, I will allow history to be the judge of how I have served our nation, how well I have done my part in running my lap of the relay.
What that verdict will ultimately be, I cannot say.
I can only say that I have done my best, given my all and done so with the best intentions for my country, our country.
This is why I stand here today, Mr.
Speaker, holding the baton of leadership prepared to pass it on with pride, goodwill and determination, to Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and ask all Ghanaians to cheer him on as he runs his portion of this relay for Ghana.
Speaker, I thank you.
I thank the members of this house.
And I thank the citizens of Ghana.
May God bless you and may God continue to bless our beloved homeland, Ghana.
My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, thank you for joining us from your various locations this morning.
Today marks the end of three days of fasting and prayer declared by our National Chairman last week.
These are not normal times, not only for us Ghanaians, but people all around the world.
I do, however, believe sincerely that God rules in the affairs of men and women.
Our national anthem acknowledges this supreme truth in its opening line, “God bless our homeland Ghana”.
In times of crisis such as we find ourselves today, we are reminded of the importance of faith.
We remember the promise of God’s goodness, and take comfort in Christ’s message of mercy.
Those guarantees are eternal.
But, my brothers and sisters in Christ, I am also reminded now of the words of Martin Luther, whose teachings spawned a revolutionary perspective on faith and which gave birth to many of our Christian denominations- Faith that is based on the essence of man’s bond with God, and his obligations to his neighbour.
Our current times, in the face of this pandemic, shares much of what happened during the period Martin Luther lived.
COVID-19 is mankind’s present enemy, but in Martin Luther’s time, it was the bubonic plague that ravaged the world.
And now as then, many found their faith tested.
His friends and neighbours fled his beloved town called Wittenberg in their numbers, but Luther stayed.
And when asked by a fellow minister of the gospel if he was relying on faith alone to save him from the death that was taking place all around him, he gave an instructive response that offers all of us guidance for our own time.
Martin Luther said: “I shall ask God mercifully to protect us.
Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine and take it.
I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus per chance inflict and pollute others and so cause their death as a result of my negligence.”
The essence of this teaching by Luther extends beyond faith.
It is a message of planning and preparedness, of thoughtfulness and mutual responsibility.
It is a message of caution and of courage.
And it is a message of the endurance of the human spirit in the face of difficulty, death and destruction.
We, as individuals, must all take this to heart.
We must look out for each other and for ourselves.
And we must be united in our commitment to do all in our power to preserve life, by abiding by the guidance of the experts and- in so doing- protecting the vulnerable.
My beloved countrymen, it is also a call to those who rule to be forthright and principled.
The principle and forthrightness that would not require a court injunction to stop the National Identification Authority (NIA) from acting in breach of guidelines we have all accepted to comply with.
The principles that will let Churches have the moral courage to refuse the use of their premises for purposes that are in breach of the government’s own rules.
In this respect, I commend the Minority in Parliament for standing on principle in opposing the passage of the Imposition of Restrictions Bill, which does not address the needs of the moment and portends danger for our democracy.
It is my earnest prayer that at a time such as this, the public welfare will triumph over personal and partisan interest.
Our leaders owe this nation not just prayers but a plan too.
One that all of us can believe in, that we can rally around, and that we can commit our hearts and mind to.
For while hope brings comfort it is not in itself a strategy.
We must project the course of this disease while taking a cue from best and worst-case response scenarios such as Korea and Italy even as the world accelerates research towards the production of a vaccine.
A plan that involves ensuring that frontline health care workers as a matter of urgency have the manuals, appropriate training and protective logistics to boost their confidence in fighting this disease.
We must act even as we pray!
I have made a firm commitment to support the authorities in whatever way possible, and whenever called upon, to combat this pandemic.
Over the last week, I have forcefully, thanks to my Communications Team, led a public education drive that is promoting effectively the introduction, education and practice of the recommended WHO protocols aimed at helping stop the spread of the COVID-19.
I have also already announced that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is committed to assisting government in this fight by availing all technical and logistical resources at our disposal.
As evidence of our seriousness in that respect, we have assembled a technical team to guide our efforts and to lead the NDC’s response to the evolving situation.
The team is an assembly of experts from the many fields that will be required to implement a national action plan on COVID-19.
We have through our Minority Leader Honourable Haruna Iddrisu presented to the Rt.
Speaker of Parliament what are the major points of our proposals and steps that may be taken to curb the spread of this plague and reinforce the readiness of our healthcare system, and to save as many lives as possible.
The immediate focus of the proposal is on the appropriate planning for a range of potential measures, including at the extreme a lockdown, should that become necessary as the realities of our present condition become clearer.
Such a decision would impact the livelihoods and financial security of many of the most economically vulnerable people in this country, and jeopardize the survival of many businesses.
We will seek to propose a series of social interventions to address these unprecedented risks, and to ensure that loss of income does not become a barrier to the effective implementation of preventive measures.
Let us all hold fast to the preventive measures.
They are our first line of defence as individuals and a collective responsibility.
They are currently the only means by which we can slow down this dreadful virus and provide enough time to mount a robust response.
Please maintain a safe distance from any person who is coughing or sneezing, or from anyone showing any other symptoms of a cold or flu.
Always cover your own mouth and nose with a tissue if you have to cough or sneeze, discard the tissue properly afterward, and wash your hands immediately.
As much as possible, avoid touching your face, nose, and mouth - especially after touching commonly used surfaces such as door handles, microphones, railings and balustrades, countertops, etc.
You will notice that all those who came to the podium including myself, used a sanitizer, and microphones were changed for everybody because they are disinfected and cleaned before the next person uses it.
Hand hygiene is a crucial part of protecting yourself, so I encourage you to wash your hands at every opportunity you get.
If soap and water are not available, a hand sanitizer is an effective alternative.
For all people of faith, this is a time to show charity and compassion.
I urge you to reflect on your beliefs, and not to engage in practices that will escalate the present anxieties in the nation.
Price hiking and other such opportunistic practices are beneath the dignity of the moment.
I will continue to extend a helping hand to the government and to share our experience in managing the Ebola crisis.
I do so with an open mind and a willing heart.
And I hope that gesture will be received in the sincerity it is offered.
The enemy before us is no respecter of person or party.
I send my heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of our countryman who lost his life to the virus yesterday.
To those who remain under treatment in the care of our courageous frontline health workers, know that the entire nation is thinking of you and bearing you up in prayer for a speedy recovery.
God bless you all for your presence.
Thank you for joining us for this service, to end our 3 days of prayer and fasting.
I remind us all, of the national day of prayer and fasting, now announced by the President, and invite us all to observe next Wednesday as declared.
May God continue to protect and guide us all.
Happy New Year to you all, my fellow countrymen and women.
The last pages of 2019 have shut and a blank new one- 2020- has opened up to us.
Within the last 365 days, there has been joy, happiness and fulfilled dreams for a few; but pain, anguish and unfulfilled promises for the majority.
In all things, however, let us continue to be thankful to the Almighty God because we have the most valuable gift- the gift of life.
In our personal lives and in our family struggles, in our relationships with others, in our business commitments and in all other endeavours and engagements, we are presented with a new opportunity to change things for the better, in order to triumph over the set-backs we encountered.
One of our nation’s foremost literary icons, the late Professor Kofi Awoonor, declared in one of his writings that, “I believe in hope, but even in its absence, I believe in the possibility of hope”.
Therefore, even in our darkest and most difficult moments, we must remember to hold on to hope.
Let us hope and work for a better and prosperous Ghana in 2020 and beyond.
Let us hope and work for a peaceful Ghana that offers opportunities for all, not just a few.
My brothers and sisters, it is a testament to the resilience of the Ghanaian that we never give up but fight and inspire others to greatness.
We did it during the independence struggle where we became the first sub-Saharan nation to achieve independence.
In more recent times, Ghanaians have occupied some of the highest positions in global affairs and left indelible marks of excellence.
As a result, the world has come to expect nothing short of inspiration from the name GHANA, so we cannot begin to see ourselves any less.
The year 2020 is an election year and the eyes of the world would continue to be fixed on us, as we go to the polls.
We need to meet the high standards set by previous Electoral Commissions and even better it.
I do not say it lightly when I say that the 2020 election will be a pivotal event for our country.
It is one that will determine the destiny of our nation.
I believe at this critical stage in our nation’s life, Ghanaians deserve- more than ever- a government that is honest and truthful with them.
A government that takes responsibility and gives them results, not excuses or blame.
A government that opens the opportunities of our country to all its people, and not just a few.
2019 was a difficult year for Ghanaian businesses and by extension affected the quality of life in many Ghanaian homes.
In my rounds, I have met many business persons who are in despair that their enterprises are collapsing and they can no longer hold it together.
To all my countrymen and women, I urge you to keep hope alive.
It is said that “the darkest hour, is before the dawn”.
We can change things, and make our nation better.
We must all work together to build our beloved country.
I urge you not to despair.
I urge you not to be passive.
And most of all, do not be apathetic; for there is nothing to gain in apathy except regret.
If we are apathetic, others will make the decision for us.
As we go to the polls in 2020, President Nana Akufo-Addo has a responsibility to secure the safety of all citizens and must resist the temptation to allow the use of violence to harm and intimidate innocent civilians as we observed last year during the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election.
On my part, I will continue to work for peace and I urge the President to do the same.
As a first step, I suggest he stops shielding the perpetrators of the violence at Ayawaso West Wuogon.
He must have them face the appropriate sanctions.
My brothers and sisters, the New Year is here.
May God grant us a peaceful, prosperous and victorious New Year.
Good evening to you, my colleagues in the field of media and communications, and to you, the millions watching and listening from across our country and the world.
We are at a crucial moment in our nation’s history—with 153 days to the next presidential and parliamentary elections.
Two years ago, in 2022, right here in this hall, in my prophetic address to the nation, I submitted to the government and to all Ghanaians that Ghana was at a crossroads.
Unfortunately, the government refused to listen to that altruistic conversation and the raft of viable and innovative policy proposals I offered that evening.
Two years on, our country is in the worst state!
In between the periods, I have been having a series of innovative conversations with you—conversations that do not talk down or talk at Ghanaians—truthful and honest continuous conversations that admit that our nation is in peril.
Because Ghanaians have victory in our DNA, I know we can overcome our difficulties.
Let me thank you for your presence this evening for my first major media encounter ahead of the December 07 elections.
In addition to my digital conversations, I intend to have a number of such media engagements, not only in Accra but in other parts of the country.
As I have done when I was president, I passionately believe in transparency and accountability, and engagements with the Fourth Estate have always been an effective way to reach the citizenry.
This is why I am happy to be with you again tonight to sustain the conversation about our dear country, Ghana.
The media encounters and my virtual engagements will not deny you the opportunity to catch me for one-on-one interviews in your studios or at events.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is the TIME FOR CHANGE.
The TIME for CHANGE has COME!
And it is not just a slogan but a clarion call to the heart and soul of our nation.
This is the Time for Change because of the urgent need for a transformative shift in the way we govern, the way we create jobs, the way we live, the way we provide social services, including HEALTH AND EDUCATION and the way we envision the future of our country, Ghana.
After almost eight years under the deplorable leadership of the Akufo-Addo and Bawumia administration, we have seen our country sink into a serious economic abyss.
The current economic mess sums up the verdict on this NPP government.
The harsh reality is that, for most citizens, the piteous journey over the period has been a bitter experience of economic and social deprivation.
The unprecedented levels of poverty, unemployment, deterioration in livelihoods, and social inequity have exposed the dubious strategy of hiding incompetence under slogans.
It confirms without hesitation that the disruptive and hasty experimentation with the lives of the Ghanaian people was underpinned by naïve exuberance, arrogance, and selfishness.
I am referring to economic challenges that have shattered the dreams of our youth and the aspirations of the vulnerable.
No one has been spared—children, adults, including the middle class, and the elderly have all been hit very hard.
Fellow Ghanaians, notwithstanding these challenges, I am imbued with optimism and a steadfast belief in my God almighty and the amazing creativity of Ghanaians to assure you, tonight, that together, we shall turn this tide.
We shall turn this government’s destructive tide into positive and progressive waves—waves that will reverberate in every home and corner of our country and across the globe, demonstrating that Ghana has once again gotten back on track.
Let me give you five good and solid reasons why we shall reset Ghana and turn the tide: 1.Experience: Unlike any other candidate, I have navigated Ghana through tough economic waters before.
My presidency was marked by significant infrastructure development, building economic buffers for inclusive growth while ensuring macroeconomic stability.
I understand the intricacies of national crisis management and possess the proven experience to RESET Ghana from the economic challenges we face today.
2.Visionary Leadership for Economic Revival: My vision for Ghana is rooted in sustainable development.
I will focus on revitalising our economy for job creation through industrialisation, enhancing agriculture, and ensuring the efficient use of our natural resources.
My administration will introduce cross-cutting innovative policies that are inclusive, growth-oriented, and capable of restoring hope to our youth.
3.Commitment to Job Creation: Recognising that our youth are the backbone of this nation, my government will prioritise and create decent, well-paying, and sustainable jobs.
By fostering a conducive environment for entrepreneurship and innovation, the government and the private sector will not only tackle unemployment but also inspire a generation of change-makers and problem-solvers.
4.Championing Social Justice and Equality: I wholeheartedly believe in a Ghana where every citizen, regardless of their background or gender, has equal opportunities to thrive.
Under my leadership, social interventions and educational reforms will be strengthened.
The vulnerable in our society will be protected and given the opportunity to change their circumstances.
Let me add that gender equality will be a cardinal feature of the Mahama Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang Flagstaff House.
We would lead an administration that promotes gender inclusivity in every government policy.
That is why we propose to establish a national women’s bank to empower women to close the gender gap financially.
One million women will benefit from the women’s bank to finance their small and medium-scale businesses.
5.A Call to National Unity: Ghana’s strength lies in its diversity.
The polarisation and partisan politics that have characterised the current government’s tenure should have no place in the Ghana we aim to build.
As President, I will foster a spirit of national cohesion, encouraging all Ghanaians to contribute towards nation-building, regardless of their political or ethnic affiliations.
To the youth of Ghana, I say: I understand the frustration and disillusionment many of you feel.
I can relate to the recent cynicism and massive mistrust in our body politics because the current government has been undeserving of your trust!
The challenges of today might seem insurmountable, but I urge you to look beyond the present and dream with me of a RESET Ghana—The Ghana we all want, where your talents and hard work determine your success.
I promise a Ghana where you are not sidelined but at the forefront of change, where you can live happy lives and stll achieve your optimum potential.
This is not just a promise; it’s a commitment.
I will reset the Economy, and Ghana will be open for business for 24 hours.
Leadership is about vision, and the 24-hour economy is the vision to create decent and well-paying jobs.
When I talk about a 24-hour economy, we need to understand the underlying vision.
The 24-hour economy is the means to an end—and the end is putting Ghana on a solid path to accelerated growth and development.
We need to attain the growth rhythm that will turn our country into a developed economy and eliminate the abject level of poverty we witness today.
An economy that will manufacture many of its needs, including food and beverages, drugs, clothes and more.