[ 2011-04-17 ]

Mills and NDC –A Social Democratic Failure
The NDC government masquerades as a 'Social
Democratic Party' however its actions whilst in
power is proof that despite it's posturing it
continues to implement harsh austerity programs
designed by the IMF and World Bank that inflict
pain and suffering on the people.

In the 1980/90s under the ERP/SAP programs the
government continued to ask Ghanaians to tighten
their belts whilst (P)NDC functionaries and
'Secretaries and Ministers continued to live
lavish lifestyles driving around in Mitsubishi
Pajeros, Shoguns and Suzuki Space Wagons.

In 2009, again upon coming to power the first
thing the government did was run to the IMF/World
Bank with its arms wide open to embrace an austere
economic policy which has led to massive and
widespread unemployment, especially among our
youth with a current rate of 41% .This is in stark
contrast to NPPs reduction to 21.5% after leaving
office.

When Ghanaians complain the NDC government
relishes with delight at the fact that Inflation
is in single digits forgetting the price that has
been paid in increased poverty and hardship
amongst poor hard working Ghanaians.

The NPP government whilst in power specifically
introduced an economic 'stimulus' plan in 2007 to
reduce/cushion the effects of the global economic
crisis when oil prices has topped $147 per
barrel.

The NPP in its wise judgement decided to absorb
the economic shock of the time rather than impose
IMF style 'Shock Therapy'. The NDC has however
applied a painful poison of economic policies
which has is devastating the lives of Ghanaians,
causing widespread and long lasting impact on the
lives of average hard working Ghanaians.

Most of our brothers and sisters will as a result
of these policies struggle to pay for their
children's school fees, pay rent on housing or
afford to enrol on the National Health Insurance
scheme for hospital treatment when their family
members fall ill.

During the period of global economic crisis in
2007 the NPP government did not rush to the
IMF/World Bank for advice but like a responsible
and caring government continued to ensure the
continued functioning of the National Health
Insurance Scheme (NHIS), the School Feeding
Program and continued payment/disbursement of the
Capitation Grant.

The Ghanaian economy whist facing these
fundamental economic challenges, managed to grow
at annual rate of 8.4% in 2008. This was at a time
when the NPP government for the first time in the
countries history had decided to gradually
untangle the Ghanaian economy from the tentacles
of the IMF/World Bank. There is a saying 'The
greatest gift a student can give his teacher is to
stop being a student'. The NPP was prepared to set
its own economic strategy and agenda at a time
when Ghana had not even struck oil in commercial
quantities.

The NDC Better Ghana agenda has so far failed to
transform Ghana's economy. With the revenue coming
from the countries oil find and the fall out in
economic thinking during the post global credit
crunch era, the NDC has once again run out of
ideas and will practice a policy of watch and
pray.

The NDC under President Mills is failing to take
bold steps towards maintaining the administrative
strength of the civil service and has rather
politicised the institution. The recent massive
decision to transfer 30,000 people without giving
them designated and specific roles or a clear
strategy to pool this wealth of talent to support
industry and boost capacity, smacks of a
vindictive and hidden agenda. Most of these civil
servants will be replaced by NDC sympathisers and
foot soldiers.

The NDC has failed to provide a deliberate
government inspired program to make a Ghana a 1st
world oasis in a 3rd world region.

With the exception of the praise singers of Mills
such as Allotey Jacobs, Alex Segbefia, Koku
Anyidoho, , Okudzeto Ablakwa, Agyenim Boateng, Nii
Lantei Vanderpuiye and others at the Presidency
who look very well and seem to be putting on
weight at astonishing speed, Ghanaians are really
starving ,suffering and going nowhere under
President Mills.

It is time to change the NDC, Its time for real
change to move forward.

Nana Yaw Sarpong-07983302369
Communications Officer-NPP UK and Ireland

Source - NPP UK and Ireland Branch

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