NDUOM RENEWS ‘AGENDA FOR CHANGE’

The Presidential Candidate of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) in the 2008 elections, Dr Papa Kwasi Nduom, has renewed his “Agenda for Change” plan with a call on government to find ways of enabling Ghanaians gain control over the domestic economy.

Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom

This, he explained, could be achieved if nationalistic policies in the management of the nation’s development agenda are adopted.

He said policies that had been announced since the inception of the Mills’ government would not put the economy in the hands of Ghanaians any more than has happened since the Fourth Republic in 1993.

Addressing a crowded press conference in Accra yesterday, Dr Nduom, expressed the hope that his new initiative, and series of interactions, which he will be embarking on in a monthly basis, would encourage Ghanaians to help in the promotion and implementation of fundamental change in the Ghanaian society to enhance better living standards than people experience now.

Recounting some of the campaign promises made by the various presidential candidates before last year’s general elections, Dr Nduom, who was popularly known as ‘Edwumawura’ to wit Job Provider‘, noted that there was the need for change that would propel the country to a higher level of performance. He indicated that this will require something more than ‘politics as usual’.

“They require a positive attitude and the will to empower and encourage all Ghanaians to make the contributions their mind, experience, and expertise will allow. They require a leadership that inspires confidence, hope and the willingness to change. When I look around, these essential ingredients are missing”, he maintained.

To start with his monthly media interaction, Dr Nduom focused on the Legislature which he described as weak and unable to serve as an effective pillar of checks and balances to the Executive.

Quoting Article 78 (1) of the 1992 constitution, the former Member of Parliament for Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem, explained that the legislature was weak because the constitution “robbed it of independence and muscle”.

He said the above article promoted the culture of impunity and made sitting presidents to trample over the legislature, which he pointed encouraged the approval of bad agreements and contracts.

“An independent legislature would not sit by and be denied offices, human resource and other facilities needed for the effective performance of its job. An independent Parliament will not allow Chairpersons of its Sub-Committees to be seated behind Ministers of State in its own house,” he emphasised.

Additionally, he indicated that Article 108 of the Constitution ‘renders parliament toothless, keeps it in perpetual poverty and reliant on the largess of the Executive. He insisted that article 108 made the legislature lack initiative and forced it to do the bidding of the presidency.

He called on all members of Parliament to rise up and work to change those provisions in the constitution so that they could be empowered to do credible job.

According to Dr Nduom, his brand of change was not just an ordinary slogan to drive a political party to win power, but stressed that … “It was an embodiment of the need of our people to feel change in all facets of our society”.

“I do not feel the change. When I feel it, I will know it and I will also acknowledge it”, he observed.

He reminded President Mills on the fact that he has very little time at his disposal to bring about the real change that Ghanaians are craving and yearning for. He advised the President to “act with a sense of urgency to bring about the much anticipated change that will enable Ghanaians experience the Better Ghana” his NDC party professes.

“It is m hope that President Mills does not think that he has a lot of time on his hands as many changes we need, will take time to be researched, public opinion sought and legal matters resolved before implementation is even considered,” expressed the CPP presidential candidate.

Dr, Nduom, however, cautioned that should President Mills fail to deliver on his “Better Ghana” promise, he will lead the change campaign in 2012 with more vigour, renewed strength and a stronger base to win more votes.

“One thing I know for sure is that many Ghanaian farmers, fishermen, lawyers, business men and women, workers of all types, students all want change they can feel,” he said.

He, therefore, urged Ghanaians to join his change bandwagon to help improve their lot.