[ 2012-07-10 ]

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia

Ghana needs a results oriented approach to solving basic economic problems
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, NPP Vice-Presidential
Candidate for the 2012 general elections has
bemoaned the fact that after 55 years of
independence, Ghana is still struggling with the
provision of basic services like water and
sanitation and power to its citizens; problems
many other countries resolved hundreds of years
ago.

Dr. Bawumia was speaking at the inauguration of
the Charlotte, North Carolina, Chapter of the NPP
in the United States on the first leg of his North
American tour.

The NPP Running Mate while speaking to the
gathering noted that while other countries are
trying to get to Mars and other planets, Ghana is
still struggling with the provision of toilet
facilities and basic services to its citizens even
though the technology is not a secret.

Dr. Bawumia on this basis argued that “there is
therefore a need for a paradigm shift because we
cannot continue to do things the same way and
expect different results. The paradigm shift that
Nana Akufo-Addo and the NPP are seeking the
mandate of Ghanaians to implement, is one of
focusing on solutions and results underpinned by a
mindset change and the inculcation of a can-do
spirit in Ghanaians”.

He continued “in moving to this new paradigm, it
is important that we understand that in the
context of a global economy, our competition (as
team Ghana) is with other countries and not
primarily with each other. Our competition is
China, Malaysia, South Africa, Brazil, India,
Singapore, South Korea, the United States, etc.

“Our businessmen and women, our contractors, our
teachers, nurses, engineers, etc. are our players
on the field of international competition. They
are our Black Stars. We should support them and
provide them opportunities regardless of which
party they may happen to support. While we engage
in healthy political competition as part of our
democratic process, we should always remember that
ultimately our competition is not with each other.
It is with other countries in the global economic
space.”

Dr. Bawumia stated emphatically to the applause of
the audience that the skills and talents of
Ghanaians inside and outside the country will be
critical to Ghana in building a globally
competitive economy and that the NPP intends to
fully tap into the skills reservoir of Ghanaians
in the diaspora.

He stated “when the Black Stars are playing, we
scout for the Kevin Prince-Boatengs and the Adam
Kwaraseys to help; surely soccer cannot be more
important than overall economic development and we
should adopt the same approach in other sectors to
build a globally competitive economy”.

The Running Mate to Nana Akufo-Addo affirmed the
NPP’s commitment to building a strong economy.

Dr. Bawumia assured the Diaspora of the NPP’s
plans to ensure real macroeconomic stability
underpinned by fiscal discipline indicating that
the resulting economic transformation will move
Ghana’s economy from the ‘Guggisberg economy’ to
an economy that will add value to our natural
resources.

The former Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana
noted that this transformed economy would
encompass a modernized agriculture regime, a rapid
technology acquisition policy, improved housing,
planned cities and neighbourhoods, major
improvements in water, sanitation and power, a
major formalization of the economy, a
strengthening of the private sector, and above
all, a strong, decisive, honest and solutions
oriented leadership from the next NPP government.

“You in the Diaspora have contributed to building
this type of economy in other countries; you have
the ideas, skills, and the exposure to help mother
Ghana. Get a ready for a new Ghana under Nana
Akufo Addo. Come and be part of a new Ghana” he
entreated the audience.

Dr. Bawumia’s working visit in North America will
take him and his team that includes Kwadjo
Owusu-Afriyie, the NPP General Secretary and
National Youth Organizer, Anthony Karbo through
Washington DC, New York/New Jersey, Texas,
Connecticut, Massachusetts and Canada.

Source - NPP Communications Directorate

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