The Evening Encounter

23 March 2009

The IEA Evening Encounter series were a worthy predecessor of The IEA Presidential Debates.

 

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF PRESENTATIONS OF PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES AT IEA EVENING ENCOUNTERS.

 

1.0 INTRODUCTION

In keeping with its commitment to deepening and strengthening Multiparty Democracy in Ghana, The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) under the auspices of The Ghana Political Parties Programme (GPPP) organised Evening Encounters with the Presidential Aspirants of the four major political Parties with representation in Parliament namely, The Convention People’s Party (CPP), The National Democratic Congress (NDC), The New Patriotic Party, (NPP) and the People’s National Convention, (PNC). The venue for all four encounters was the Botsio Hall of the Alisa Hotel, North Ridge – Accra.

 

The Encounters were the first of its kind to be organised in Ghana. A platform such as the one provided through the Encounters had never been provided to the Flagbearers of political parties since the introduction of multiparty democracy in Ghana. No group or organisation has been able to get the Flagbearers especially during an election year to spend two hours on a platform outlining their vision and answering questions from invited guests. 

The objective of the Encounters was to provide each Presidential Aspirant a sole platform to sell his visions and plans with the electorate and further provide strategies on how he intends to govern the country when given the mandate to become President of the Republic of Ghana. The platform also afforded the electorate the opportunity to interact with the Aspirants and ask them probing questions to determine whether they have the capacity to address their concerns.

The IEA/ GPPP was of the view that such a platform will divert political discourse from one of acrimony and personality attacks to an issue based debate. The electorate would also be enabled through the “Encounter” to debate, analyse and critique the plans of the various Aspirants to determine how realistic these plans are.

This report is a comparative analysis of the views expressed by the four Presidential Candidates at the Evening Encounter series organized by The Institute of Economic Affairs (I.E.A) in collaboration with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation and Joy Fm. The report is presented by sectors namely, education, internal security, food security, energy, industry and employment and housing.

2.0. EDUCATION

For the CPP the main problems with education are unequal access and poor quality.  The NDC sees the challenge as an abuse of the right of the child to decent education while both the NPP and PNC identify lack of incentives for the teacher and inadequate access to education as core problems.

 To address the above challenges the various parties proposed diverse solutions. The CPP will implement an effective Free and Compulsory educational system, promote technical skilled- based education and equip all public schools to a high standard. The estimated cost of about $8bn over an eight year period will be sourced locally.

The NDC intends to make the School Feeding Programme universal, focus on science ICT, French, Spanish, Chinese and Creative curricula of senior high school. An all-Party Conference on Education to develop a 25 year long educational pact will be convened. Key issues include a) a policy of affirmative action to bridge regional, gender and income disparities, b) a cost sharing arrangement in all public universities, c) introduction of scholarships and bursaries for mathematics, science and technology students, d) increase in the number of senior High school nationwide by 300 and e) construction of two new public universities. The main source of funds for these projects is the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFUND).

The NPP presidential candidate pledged a) to upgrade teacher training colleges to tertiary (degree awarding institutes), b) implement the current educational reform, c) introduce free and Compulsory Senior High education, d) extend school the feeding programme to all schools and e) construct a public university in every region. All user fees for science students will be absorbed by his government. The free high school education is estimated to cost GH¢75m annually while the school feeding programme will cost GH¢287,606,241 per year. Funds will be sourced from Sovereign bonds, Diaspora bonds, Foreign direct investments and Oil revenues.

 

The Educational Policies of the PNC include, a) increasing the amount of the Capitation Grant b) expanding the school feeding programme c) increasing  access to education, d) promotion gender equality, e) improving  facilities and conditions of service for teachers f) providing public universities in each region through the conversion of some selected senior high schools, g) introduction of a more flexible remedial school, and h) introduction of a programme to teach work ethics and problem solving (thinking). Faculty for the new universities will be recruited from retired Ghanaian lecturers in the diaspora. Funds for these projects will be raised from savings to be made on reduced size of government and from reduction of corruption by 60%.

 

3.0 HEALTH

Like education, views on the nature of health problems and the appropriate solutions differed among the Aspirants. For the CPP, the lack of equitable access to health, widening gap between the rich and poor and inadequate health facilities and personnel are the key health problems. The NDC sees the health environment as characterized by lack of access to health facilities, shortage of health personnel and poorly remunerated health professionals. The NPP also described the health delivery system as a poor public health system, resulting from inadequate supply of portable water, poor sanitary conditions, lack of adequate health professional and high rates of mortality. The problems of poor service conditions, inadequate health professionals and health facilities and poor distribution of health personnel and facilities were raised by the PNC. How do these parties propose to deal with these problems?

 

The leader of the CPP promises to pay special attention to the vulnerable, provide portable drinking water for every citizen of Ghana, promote community health scheme as well as to embark on a programme for improving the infrastructure and condition of service of health personnel.

Prof Atta-Mills proposes to extend the NHIS to cover every Ghanaian, rehabilitate health infrastructure for the existing three Teaching Hospitals and the Regional and District hospitals, construct modern regional hospitals in Bolgatanga, Koforidua and Wa. modernise and raise the status of Effia Nkwanta and Tamale regional hospitals to Teaching Hospitals, construct appropriate accommodation for lecturers, housemen and students at the regional and teaching hospitals and introduce an innovative programme for training of physician assistants.

Nana Addo-Dankwa plans to expand health infrastructure and medical facilities, increase the supply of health personnel construct  more post graduate training facilities to reduce the migration of doctors outside the country, expand access to the National Health Insurance Scheme and promoting family planning. In addition he will increase the output of nurses from the current annual level of 700 to 7000 as well as improve the remuneration for health officials, especially medical doctors. Further, resources for garbage and waste treatment will be increased, coupled with provision of more public toilet facilities and the recruitment of 20,000 sanitation inspectors annually for the next five years.

Dr Mahama’s PNC government plans to construct underground sewage systems across the nation, equip districts in providing facilities to attract and retain health professional and also to encourage young doctors to go into private practice in towns with the required population size and to finally expand and strengthen NHIS.

4.0 AGRICULTURE

The current world food crisis and its effects on local food production and consumption makes food security a key issue of national concern. All presidential Aspirants commented on it.

The CPP identified the problem as a demand and supply gap resulting from the fact that the nation is an exporter of primary products, a diminished state role in the production process and the high cost of energy. The NPP candidate expressed similar views. He argued that the Ghanaian economy still bears the characteristics of a ‘Guggisberg Economy’ which was essentially a primary products exporting economy. The NDC identified high food demand for food around the globe the resultant high food prices as the reason for the supply gap.  The PNC however attributed the gap to low productivity. 

The supply-demand gap to the CPP will be bridged through value addition, building Ghanaian-owned country-wide industries and through full engagement of the state in all stages of food production (i.e. research, planning, production, storage, distribution and financing)

The NDC solutions include doubling the production of cereals and other staples, providing irrigation facilities and the cultivation of high-value crops like fruits and vegetables for export to be implemented through eight policy programmes. These are a) rehabilitation of existing and construction of new irrigation facilities across the entire country  b) canalizing the Accra plains for the cultivation of cereals, fruits and vegetables c) prioritizing the production of fertilizer from Ghana’s gas deposits in the Western Region d) raising tariff on imported poultry, e) introduce a policy of gradual reduction in the cost of animal feed e) establishing a Poultry Sub-Sector Development Fund to assist the industry f) declaring a 200-mile exclusive off-shore economic zone as a reserve for four years within the limits of the United Nations Law of the Sea Conventions g) embarking  on a rigorous afforestation scheme and i) promoting a policy of national food-sufficiency involving all Ghanaians (similar to the Operation Feed Yourself programme of the early 1970s).

 

In resolving the problem of food insufficiency, the NPP outlined three programmes namely; value addition, modernisation of agriculture and making the northern region the bread basket of Ghana. This will be accomplished through a) a massive irrigation of agricultural land, particularly in the north and the Accra plains b) extending state support to crop farmers as is done with the cocoa spraying c) provision of technical assistance to farmers through extension services, d) reducing post-harvest losses by building storage facilities and access roads e) assisting  investors to build agro-processing plants that will provide ready markets to farmers and spur productivity and e) establishing a $1billion Northern Development Fund to bridge the north-south disparity.

 The main thrust of the PNC leader’s solution is on increasing agricultural productivity. . This will be implemented through the rehabilitation of all abandoned or uncompleted irrigation projects dredging all and properly maintaining all silted dams throughout the country ,re-introducing the policy “operation feed yourself”, promote rainwater harvesting and providing guaranteed farm gate prices, provide technical support to minimize post harvest losses and open up farming areas through feeder road construction.  The last two strategies outlined include a constant consultation with the Ghana National Association of Farmers and Fishermen in deriving appropriate programmes and strategies and revival of all dilapidated factories such as the meat factory in Tamale.

 

5.0 INDUSTRY AND EMPLOYMENT

Ghana’s weak industrial sector and its inability to provide adequate employment emerged as one of the main development challenges that the Aspirants propose to pay attention to. The CPP attributed the nation’s poor state of industrialization and high rate of unemployment to be over-exaggerated role given to the private sector. In light of this the party intends to embark on an accelerated process of industrialization with a focus of providing sustainable jobs and living wages and salaries. This will be done through the promotion of quality and technical-skill-based education to the youth and through the building of Ghanaian-owned country-wide industries in the form of export-oriented domestic industries.

 

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) traced the problems of industry to the unstable macro-economic framework. The policy responses to this include increase domestic savings, supporting heavy volume of investment in infrastructure and stabilizing the macroeconomic framework. The implementation approach includes eliminating existing loopholes in the tax exemption regime to encourage investments, increase efficiency in revenue mobilization and adopt more prudent means of funds management.

 

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) listed the problem of industry as product of Ghana’s economy being primary export economy characterised by low growth rate and an unsustainable employment situation. The solution involves transforming the structure of the Ghanaian economy, growing the economy at about 10% per annum and creating half-a-million jobs per year in the agriculture and construction, etc. This will be achieved through a) the establishment of a $1bn Industrial Development Fund to support Small and Medium Enterprises, b) improving the effectiveness and efficiency of public services delivery, c) assisting universities to establish Research Parks, and “Business Incubation Centers and d) reducing the time for processing applications for businesses significantly. In addition, a policy will be introduced to make government purchase half of country’s needs from local sources, ensure timely payment for work done and seek partners to invest in critical industries like aluminium, iron ore, salt and petrochemicals, tourism and ICT.

 

For the People National Convention (PNC) unfair competition and over reliance on private sector in the national development agenda is the main cause of weak industrial development. The solution lies in promoting local trade and service provision. The approach is to assist poultry farmers to meet the food requirement of the nation so every child will be assured of locally grown chicken for his meal at school.

 

 

6.0 INTERNAL AND PERSONAL SECURITY

There was virtual unanimity on the increasing sense of internal and personal insecurity in the country. The CPP candidate identified the problem as a product of social injustice and inequality. For the NDC, the high incidence of crime reflects weakening national security. NPP sees the growing drug menace and rampant ethnic conflicts as contributing to insecurity in the country The PNC shared similar views-an increase in the trading and use of narcotics and instability in the north. 

Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom was not explicit in how he proposes to tackle the problem of security and personnel safety. Prof. Atta-Mills proposes to first of all assemble experts of all political shades to map out strategies to deal decisively with the situation. He additionally pledged to strengthen a sub-regional partnership on intelligence-sharing to combat cross-border criminal activity. He will also promote a close working relationship between the police and local institutions, to expand the capacity of the state to fight crime and lastly to work at restoring and reviving the Ghana Police Service to a deserving status.

 

On his part, the NPP presidential candidate plan to solve the security problems by doubling the police force to 50,000 within five years, committing more resources for training, and providing better pay and technology aimed specifically at increasing professionalism and accountability of the Police Force. In addition, he plans to improve collaboration between law enforcement agencies, within Ghana and across West Africa, Britain and USA. Other measures include offering job and educational opportunities to the youth, strengthen families and communities to resist the temptation of drugs, empowering district assemblies to take up responsibilities of supporting the police within their areas of jurisdiction, and finally work assiduously at depoliticizing ethnic clashes and insulate the executive from interfering with chieftaincy affairs. 

The PNC plans to increase the numbers of the security force (Army, CEPS, Police, fire service) and to adequately motivate and equip the security forces. A National Drug and Substance Abuse Policy will be introduced and rehabilitation centers to deal with addiction and its attendant consequences will be established.

 

7.0 GOOD GOVERNANCE AND ANTI-CORRUPTION

Addressing the issue of governance and corruption, the CPP fingered the weak local government system, under-resourced less efficient parliament and the problem of accountability and administrative corruption as the hurdles that need to be overcome. The NDC described the problem of corruption as resulting from cronyism, clientelism, nepotism, patrimonilialism and lack of political will on the part of the government to fight it. For the NPP the main governance challenge is the problem of the unhealthy relationship between MP’s and DCE’S and traditional leaders. The PNC identifies the size of government as being a governance problem and a cause of corruption since every appointee seeks to ‘benefit’ from his office.

The solutions proffered range from improving the workings of the decentralization programme, through passage of laws to downsizing the administration. The CPP proposes to intensify the process of decentralization and to consolidate democracy as a basis of promoting good governance. Two basic things will be done in response, a) elect Assembly officers (DCEs, MCEs etc) and promoting an effective separation of powers within government. To make this happen, the CPP candidate pledges to amend the constitution to make it necessary for all Assembly Members and District/Municipal/Metropolitan Chief Executives to be elected to make them accountable to their constituencies. He also plans to sponsor legislation to remove the provision in the Constitution that allows Ministers of State to also serve as Members of Parliament. To route out corruption he will promote vigorous public sector reform as and make the office of Attorney General an independent prosecutor institution, separate from the Ministry of Justice.

The NDC leader promises a clean, open and accountable government in which he will lead by example. No member of his government found culpable of corrupt deals would be spared. The appropriate institutional structures will be created and all anti-corruption pieces of legislation will be strictly enforced.  His government will also continue the implementation of the decentralization programme which his predecessor initiated.

NPP will continue the creation of new districts and appropriately staffing them to bring governance closer to the people. It will also increase the District Assembly Common Fund to 10% (from the current 7.5%) of GDP .He will further work to improve the relationship between DCEs, Members of Parliament and traditional leaders in the interest of their districts. In addition he will reform the public sector to make public services more efficient, transparent and customer-friendly, strengthen Parliament, CHRAJ, SFO, Food and Drugs Board, Standards Board and other institutions with more resources and to make available all services in all regional capitals. The NPP programme to address the issue of corruption includes promoting the passage of the right to information bill, holding ministers and other officials accountable, promoting the rights and responsibilities of citizens, and lastly offering a leadership of competence, courage, compassion and commitment.

The PNC pledges to adopt a multifaceted approach to corruption and to offer leadership by example. This will include Introducing laws on conflict of interest, freedom of information and Whistle Blowers Protection. It will also promote the separation of the Ministry of Justice from the Attorney General. Other PNC programmes on governance and corruption are the reduction in the size of government and making the public sector more efficient.

  

 

8.0 ENERGY

Here also there is agreement among the Aspirants on the need to develop the energy to support national development. Each of the Aspirants presented views on how they propose to improve the energy situation. The CPP plans to Fund research and development in bio-fuels and solar energy and to develop an atomic energy capacity. Additionally, the party intends to promote the development of small dams and community power production facilities with investment from the state. Lastly it proposes to review tax structure for petroleum products in a pro-poor direction.

Among the areas outlined by the NDC are the aggressive pursuit of lower cost generation and more efficient transmission, development of the Tano Basin gas and expansion of the Osagyefo Barge project. It will also implement the Aboadze Steam Turbine Project to bring additional 110 megawatts capacity, see to the completion of the West African Gas Pipeline Project started during its predecessor regime, ensure that  the right infrastructure for the development of the emerging oil and gas industry is created, embark on small river hydro projects on rivers such as Tano, Pra, Ankobra and Pwalugu and finally research further into the pilot projects in the Keta Basin and explore the potential of generating considerable wind power in the Kwahu, Afadjato and Gambaga  areas.

The NPP presidential candidate however did not touch on energy issues in his address. He made reference to the issues raised in an earlier presentation he did at the KNUST. The PNC policy on energy focuses essentially on development of biofuels and solar energy as well establishing a sub-regional power project involving Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Togo, Benin, Niger, Mali and Libya on solar production.

 

 

9.0 OTHER ISSUES

Two other issues came up during the encounters-international relations and housing. While only the CPP and NPP commented on international relations, only the NPP made a statement on housing.

 

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

With regard to issues of international relations the CPP, promised to lead Ghana back to the fore front of creating a continental union which has a promise of a bigger and better African regional market, security and a good life for all Africans. The address of the NPP on the other hand, focused more on strengthening ECOWAS to achieve peace within the West Africa sub- region as a basis of expansion in commerce and broader regional development.

HOUSING

On housing the NPP promised a comprehensive plan to meet the growing housing deficit.   

 

 

10.0 CONCLUDING WORDS

This analysis is based purely on the presentations made at the Encounter series and the plenary discussions. It is not intended to denigrate any party neither is it intended to give any party more visibility over the others. A full report exists on each of the presentations. This is only an attempt to offer the public yet another opportunity to make informed judgment. The value of this analysis lies also in the lessons learned, the analysis reveal a number of issues. First, the platform provided by the Encounter series has offered Ghanaians a better view of what is on offer in terms of policy choices. The Aspirants have pronounced on issues and challenges that require immediate and long-term solutions.

Second the Aspirants themselves have improved their public image by consenting to appear in person. The past practice where Aspirants boycotted such public engagements appears to have died out. Almost all the candidates admitted initial nervousness in participation but acknowledged the benefits that they derived from participating. The IEA is grateful for the integrity that the participation of the Aspirants has established for the Institute and its democracy-enhancing programmes.

Third, the analysis has pointed to some lacunae in the delivery of the Aspirants. While Aspirants were spot on analyzing problems, weaknesses appear in the approaches to be adopted. Some gave a good account of the approaches others fell into the old political habit of making obviously unattainable promises. Estimates about numbers of jobs to be created, costs of funding programmes and even the provision of certain types of infrastructure on a universal basis are unrealistic. Such unattainable targets undermine confidence of the electorate in the electoral process and present politicians as largely self-seekers. Fourth, the presentations have tended to be issue-based and non-acrimonious. This is commendable and points to maturation in the democratization process in Ghana. It is useful to encourage the contestants to focus on issues and avoid personal attacks.

Finally, the Encounters have improved Ghana’s image to the outside world. Recent elections in parts of Africa appear to be life and death issues. Submitting to public questioning prior to taking up the presidency in the manner in which it was done in the Series, clearly shows a spirit of humility and political maturity on the part of all the Aspirants. This can only be commended.

The Institute is grateful for all of these.

 

 

 

 

IEA EVENING ENCOUNTER SERIES – AN ANALYSIS

 

EDUCATION

Party	Issues identified	Proposed Policy Response	Policy Implementation Approach	Cost & Source of Funds
CPP	Educational disparity/ Inequality   Poor quality of Education	Implement effective Free and Compulsory educational system.   Promote technical skilled- based education   Equip all public schools to a high standard		$2.8bn over eight years to be sourced locally(monies unspent will be channelled)
NDC	Abuse of the right of children to descent education	Extension of school feeding programme   Focus on science ICT, French, Spanish, Chinese and Creative Act   Review Curriculum of High School	Organise an all-Party Conference on Education aimed at developing a 25 year long educational pact.   Implement a policy of affirmative action in education for the deprived areas.   Implement cost sharing in all Public Universities   Scholarships and bursaries for Mathematics, Science and Technology Students.   Increase the number of  High school by 300   Construct two new public Universities.	GETFUND
NPP	Poor quality education   Restricted access to education   Poor educational facilities   Lack of incentives for teachers	Upgrade teacher training colleges to tertiary levels.   Implement new educational reform   Introduce free and Compulsory High education.   Extend school feeding programme to all school.   Making university education more accessible	Absorb the additional User Fees for Science students.   Public University in each  region	GH¢75m annually for free high school education   GH¢287,606,241 per year for SFP   Funds will be sourced from  a. Sovereign bonds,  b. Diaspora bonds,  c. Foreign direct investments  d. Oil revenues.
PNC	Poor quality  of education   Limited access to education   Lack of incentives for educationist	Expand  the Capitation and school feeding programmes   Increased access to education   Promotion of gender equality   Improvement of  facilities and condition of service for teachers	Construction of public Universities in each region   Introduction of more flexible remedial schools   Introduce programme to teach work ethics to students and problem solving (thinking)   Establish fund for research and development   Convert some  high schools into Universities, faculty to be provided by retired lecturers abroad	Funding   1. Savings from reduced size of government.   2. Saving from reduction of corruption by 60%

 

MACRO-ECONOMY

 

Party	Issues identified	Proposed Policy Response	Policy Implementation Approach	Cost & Source of Funds
CPP	Low incomes   Reliance on the export of raw materials that feed factories abroad.	Create a just and disciplined society with a passion for excellence with a per capita income of at least $5,000 in the next five to ten years.   Pursue policy of domestic value addition	Promoting Domestic industries that export products should be encouraged to break out of poverty as they provide sustainable jobs and living wages and salaries.
NDC	High fiscal deficit (10% of GDP in 2007)   Domestic Primary Balance is negative (4.6% of GDP in 2006 and 6.7% of GDP in 2007)   Debts of VRA and TOR under the NPP administration are over US$1.25 billion and rising.	Eliminate existing loopholes in the tax exemption regime,   Increase efficiency in revenue collection to mobilize resources to support accelerated economic development   Elimination of wasteful expenditures that do not contribute to growth or improvement in the socio economic circumstances of the people.	Work through a multiparty policy think thank   Consult members of previous regime   Use Ghanaian and expatriate expertise.	Improved government revenue mobilization   Savings from imprudent government expenditure   Revenue from oil and other national resources
NPP	Economy is sound and only needs further boost	Will grow at about 10% per year by focusing on value-addition to raw materials, manufacturing and direct the entire machinery of government towards assisting Ghanaians trying to do business.   Will reduce the time for processing applications for businesses significantly,	Government will purchase half of its needs from local sources   Promote timely payment for work done.   Establish a 1 billion dollar Industrial Development Fund to support MSEs	Funds from sovereign bonds, diaspora bonds, foreign direct investments and oil revenues.
PNC	The unbridled and unfair competition and illicit trade that hamper Ghanaian entrepreneurs.	Rigorously pursue a policy that will seek to promote local trade and service providers.	Specifically assist poultry farmers to provide the food requirement of the nation so every child will be assured of locally grown chicken for his meal at school.   2. Creation of a golden age of increased productivity.	Savings from reduced size of government.   2. Saving from reduction of corruption by 60%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LAW AND ORDER/NATIONAL SECURITY

 

Party	Issues identified	Proposed Policy Response	Policy Implementation Approach	Cost & Source of Funds
CPP	Injustice in Ghanaian society	Policy to promote a just and caring society	Special attention to be given to the poor and vulnerable
NDC	Increasing crime rate Insecurity on the streets and at homes	Focus of national security policy will be the protection of Ghanaians from criminals.	Will assemble experienced hands to map out anti crime strategies regardless of political leaning   Sub-regional partnership on intelligence sharing established during the previous NDC administration will be revived and strengthened   Promote close working relationship between the police force and local institutions to expand the capacity of the state to fight crime and restore sanity on roads.   The Ghana Police Service will be revived and restored   Will devise strategic interventions to restore confidence and morale in the service.
NPP	Lawlessness and a Feeling of insecurity experienced by citizens at night	Improve general policing	Increase the number of the police force (double the Police Force to 50 thousand in the next five years)   Improve logistics of the Police Service   improve collaboration between Law Enforcement Agencies, within Ghana and across West Africa
PNC	Growing incidence of armed robbery and personal insecurity in the nation		Increase the numbers of the security force (Army, CEPS, Police, fire service), motivate and equip them.    Introduce housing schemes that will provide members of the security forces with adequate and decent housing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CORRUPTION/NARCOTICS

 

Party	Issues identified	Proposed Policy Response	Policy Implementation Approach	Cost & Source of Funds
CPP	Efficiency of Public sector performance is adversely affected by administrative lapses.	Policy to deal with corruption to promote effectiveness of government programmes run by public officials.	Relevant laws (Procurement, Financial Administration and Internal Audit Act) and international Conventions (United Nations Convention Against Corruption, African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption) to combat corruption will be enforced.
NDC	The dramatic growth in narcotic trafficking through and in Ghana.   Ghana has become a major transit point due to corruption and support from  people in powerful positions   Correlation between the narcotic trade and the upsurge of crime	Policy to reverse current perception of Ghana as a subsidiary of drug cartels.	Ghana will faithfully and diligently discharge its international obligations especially UN Conventions relating to seizure and forfeiture of assets of convicted drug traffickers.   All officials of government found to be corrupt will be sanctioned.
NPP	Corruption is present	Continue the policies of the current government to fight corruption	Complete the significant work done by this government on the Right to Information Bill and pass the law within six months of assumption of office.     Ministers and other officials to be held accountable and made to conform to high standards set by the candidate  in the last 30 years
PNC	Corruption is widespread   Menace of narcotics	Reduction of corruption by 50 -60 per cent.   Introduce a National Drug and Substance Abuse Policy to address the drug menace	At the level of the president all corruption will be eliminated   legislation on conflict of interest, freedom of information and Whistle Blowers Protection to encourage free flow of information will be enforced   The Ministry of Justice will be separated from the Attorney General and an office of Director of public prosecution will be established.   Will establish rehabilitation centers to deal with addiction and its attendant consequences.	.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ENERGY

 

Party	Issues identified	Proposed Policy Response	Policy Implementation Approach	Cost & Source of Funds
CPP	High cost of energy,    Limited range of energy sources    Unstable nature of energy supply   Unimplemented energy policies	Leadership with  sense of urgency   Introduce energy mix policy.   Reduce cost of energy	Fund research and development in bio-fuels and solar energy   Develop atomic energy capacity. Promote development of small dams and community power production facilities with investment from the state Review tax structure for petroleum products in a pro-poor direction Encourage state ownership participation in energy – both upstream and downstream – to boost local ownership and participation
NDC	Lower energy supply   High cost	Increase the country’s energy generation capacity from the current 1,600 megawatts to 5,000 megawatts.   Reduce cost of electricity	Aggressive pursuit of lower cost generation and more efficient transmission.   Increasing generation capacity based on gas fired power to ensure low cost generation.   Develop Tano Basin gas   and expand the Osagyefo Barge project and implementing the Aboadze Steam Turbine Project to bring additional 110 megawatts capacity.   The West African Gas Pipeline Project will be finalised.   Put in place the right infrastructure for the development of the emerging oil and gas industry   Embark on small river hydro projects on rivers such as Tano, Pra, Ankobra and Pwalugu.   Accelerate Pilot projects for solar energy and wind energy potential by the Energy Commission   Research further, with pilot projects at Keta Basin and the Kwahu, Afadjato and Gambaga which have the potential for generating considerable wind power.
NPP	Candidate indicated that he presented a 16-point energy strategy at and earlier encounter at the KNUST.	To expand sources of energy   Introduce efficiency in energy production	will ensure that the Western Region and all future generations benefit from the oil revenue,   Dedicate some oil money for investments in the critical areas that will transform Ghana’s economy and modernise our society.
PNC		Develop a healthy energy mix,	Combine appropriately hydro, wind, solar, thermal, and bio-fuels.   Establish a sub-regional project involving Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Togo, Benin, Niger, Mali and Libya on solar production.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                             FOOD SECURITY

 

Party	Issues identified	Proposed Policy Response	Policy Implementation Approach	Cost & Source of Funds
CPP	Exporter of raw materials.   Diminished role assigned to the state   high cost of energy	Value Addition   Build Ghanaian-owned country-wide industries.   Full engagement of  state  in all  stages of food production i.e. research, planning, production, storage, distribution and financing	Retention and restructuring of Agricultural Development Bank  for financing agricultural modernization, production and the processing of raw materials particularly food for domestic consumption.   Support the CSIR and the Universities to bring research to practical use   Activate the mechanism of Cooperatives with support from government to promote the use of cooperatives in food production and joint venture activities   Re-design the Workers Brigade program to ensure that large-scale production using modern methods and equipment.   Promote joint ventures with the private sector aimed at value addition to raw material.   Encourage NIB to invest more aggressively in food processing in a manner consistent with its original mission   Promote the modernization of domestic fish production including the use of improved techniques, fish farms, larger scale equipment, use of solar operated outboard motors and the construction of a fishing harbour with cold storage and fish processing facilities to complement the ones in Tema and Sekondi which will also undergo improvement Restructure the Food Distribution Agency and Agricultural Marketing Board.    Use the state’s purchasing power to ensure that all state-sponsored organizations  purchase food produced in Ghana   Ensure that all state functions at the national, regional and local levels serve only locally produced food and beverages.   Raise barriers to stop the importation of food items that can be produced locally
NDC	High cost food	Double cereal production and other staples   Provision of irrigation facilities   Cultivation of high-valued crops like fruits and vegetables for export.	Rehabilitation of existing and development of new irrigation facilities across the entire country.    Canalization of the Accra plains for the cultivation of cereals, fruits and vegetables,   Prioritise the production of fertilizers from Ghana’s gas deposits in the offshore Western Region   Raise tariff on imported poultry, and ensure a reduction in the cost of animal feed   Development of Poultry Sub-Sector Development Fund to assist poultry industry   Declare the 200-mile exclusive off-shore economic zone as a reserve for four years within the limits of the United Nations Law of the Sea Conventions   Embark  on rigorous afforestation scheme Promote a policy similar to the Operation Feed Yourself programme of the early 1970s.
NPP	High prices of food     Export of primary products	Value addition   Modernisation of agriculture   Create the northern region as the bread basket	Irrigation of agricultural land, particularly in the north and the Accra plains,   Extend help to farmers as is done with the cocoa spraying,   Provide technical assistance through extension workers   Reduce post-harvest losses by building storage facilities and  roads   Assist investors to build agro-processing plants that will provide ready markets to farmers and spur productivity.   Establish $1billion Northern Development Authority
PNC	Low productivity	Age of Increased productivity	Rehabilitation of abandoned or uncompleted irrigation projects such as the Tano basin,   Dredging of silted dams, and the maintenance of dams through out the country.   Revisit the policy of “operation feed yourself” introduced by the late leader, Acheampong.   Introduce rainwater harvesting and guaranteed farm gate prices.    Technical support aimed at minimizing post harvest losses and opening up of farming areas through feeder road construction.    Constant consultation with the Ghana National Association of Farmers and Fishermen in deriving appropriate programmes and strategies   Revive dilapidated factories such as the meat factory.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                 GOVERNANCE AND CORRUPTION

 

Party	Issues identified	Proposed Policy Response	Policy Implementation Approach	Cost & Source of Funds
CPP	Weak local government system   Under-resourced and less efficient parliament.   Problem of accountability and  administrative corruption	Elect Assembly officers (DCEs, MCEs etc)   Effective  Separation of powers	Amend the Constitution to make it necessary for all Assembly Members and District/Municipal/Metropolitan Executives to be elected.    Sponsor legislation to remove the provision in the Constitution that allows Ministers of State to also serve as Members of Parliament.    Promote vigorous public sector reform as anti-corruption agenda    Make the Office of Attorney General an independent prosecutor organization, separate from the Ministry of Justice to ensure it is effective in fighting corruption at all levels.
NDC	Unnecessary political partisanship   Lack of political will		Deal fairly  with all Ghanaians   Apply sanctions ruthlessly to any appointee engaged in corrupt acts
NPP	Weak local government   system.   Under resourced local assembly   Unhealthy  relationship between MPs and DCEs and traditional leader   Weak parastatal institutions.	Intensify the process of decentralisation   Consolidate democracy	Continue the creation of new districts and appropriately staff them.   Increase the District Assembly Common Fund to 10%   Improve the relationship between DCEs, Members of Parliament and traditional leaders in the interest of their districts.   Reform the public sector to make public services more efficient, transparent and customer-friendly   Strengthen Parliament, CHRAJ, SFO, Food and Drugs Board, Standards Board and other institutions with more resources and to make available all services in all regional capitals.   Promote the passage of the Right to Information Bill.   Hold Ministers and other officials accountable.   Promote the rights and responsibilities of citizens.    Offer a leadership of competence, courage, compassion and commitment.
PNC	High perception of corruption.	Adopt a multifaceted approach to corruption.   Pass appropriate anti-corruption legislation.   Leadership by example.	Introduce laws on conflict of interest, freedom of information and Whistle Blowers Protection.    Separate the Ministry of Justice from the Attorney General or Director of public prosecution.   Reduce size of government.   Make the public sector more efficient

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HEALTH

 

Party	Issues identified	Proposed Policy Response	Policy Implementation Approach	Cost & Source of Funds
CPP	Lack of equitable access to health   Widening gap between the rich and poor Inadequate health facilities and personnel	Promotion of equitable access to  health   Breach the income- poverty gap   Equitable distribution of development to all communities	Special attention to the vulnerable   Provision of portable  drinking water   Promotion of community health scheme   Improvement in infrastructure and condition of service of personnel
NDC	Lack of access to health facilities   Shortage of health personnel   Unsatisfied health professional		Extension of the NHIS to cover every Ghanaian.   Rehabilitation of health infrastructure for the existing three Teaching Hospitals and the Regional and District hospitals.   Construction of modern regional hospitals in Bolgatanga, Koforidua and Wa   Rehabilitation and/or modernizing Effia Nkwanta in Sekondi, Tamale regional hospitals to fit the status of Teaching Hospitals   Construction appropriate accommodation for lecturers, housemen and students at the regional and teaching hospitals   Introduction of an innovative programme for training of physician assistants.   Enhancing job satisfaction for health personnel in the Health
NPP	Poor Public Health system   2. Inadequate supply of portable water 3. Poor sanitary condition 4. Lack of adequate health professional 5. High rates of mortality	Expansion of infrastructure 2. increase supply of medics	Increasing resources for garbage and waste treatment and the provision of  more public toilet facilities   Put on the streets 20,000 sanitation inspectors, popularly known as “ TANKASE” workers per year for the next five years   Enhance the capacity of the National Ambulance service to deal with accidents and disasters when they occur   Expansion of medical facilities and infrastructure   Expanding access to the National Health Insurance Scheme and   Promote family planning.   Increase the output of nurses from the current annual level of 700 to 7000.   Remuneration for health officials, especially medical, doctors will be improved and more post graduate training facilities will be provided in Ghana to reduce the migration of doctors outside the country.
PNC	Poor sanitary condition   Lack of equitable access to heath facility and personnel   Lack of portable water.   High incidence professional migration	Provision of equal access to health   Creation of growth poles and urban renewal.   National programme aimed at retaining doctors   Establishment of a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) to complete NHIS	Construct underground sewage systems across the nation.   Equip districts in providing facilities to attract and retain health professional   Encouraging young doctors to go into private practice in towns with the required population size.   Expand and strengthen NHIS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INDUSTRY AND EMPLOYMENT

Party	Issues identified	Proposed Policy Response	Policy Implementation Approach	Cost & Source of Funds
CPP	Over-exaggerated role given to the private sector   High rate of unemployment	Accelerate the process of industrialization   Provide sustainable jobs and living wages and salaries.	Promote quality and technical-skill-based education,   Encourage the youth to take their place as disciplined and hard working citizens   Build Ghanaian-owned country-wide industries.   Build  Ghanaian-owned export-oriented domestic industries
NDC	Unstable macro framework	Increased domestic savings   Support a heavy volume of investment in infrastructure.   Stabilise a macro framework	Eliminate existing loopholes in the tax exemption regime.   Increase efficiency in revenue collection to mobilize resources to support accelerated economic development.   Eliminate wasteful expenditure.
NPP	Primary export economy   Low growth rate   Absence of sustainable employment	Transform the structure of the Ghanaian economy   Grow the economy at about 10% per year   Create half-a-million jobs per year in the agriculture and construction, etc	Establish  a $1bn Industrial Development Fund to support Small and Medium Enterprises,   Improve the effectiveness and efficiency of public services delivery.   Equip Universities into becoming Research Parks, and “Business Incubation Centres Reduce the time for processing applications for businesses significantly,   Make government Purchase half of country’s needs from local sources and ensure timely payment for work done.     Seek partners to invest in critical industries like aluminium, iron ore, salt and petrochemicals, tourism and ICT.   Create 300,000 jobs in construction by rehabilitation and construction of new schools.   Generate 300,000 jobs a year in Tourism and ICT combined.   Create 400,000 jobs in the new heavy industries, the salt and petrochemical industries and the oil industry combined for Universities, polytechnics, technical and vocational institutes.
PNC	Unbridled and unfair competition   Over reliance on private sector	Promote local trade and service providers,	Assist poultry farmers to be in a position to provide the food requirement of the nation so every child will be assured of locally grown chicken for his meal at school.

 

 

 

 

INTERNATIONAL RELATION

                                                                           

Party	Issues identified	Proposed Policy Response	Policy Implementation Approach	Cost & Source of Funds
CPP		Rally Africans together in pursuit of African Unity and promote return of diasporeans.	Lead Ghana back to the front of creating a continental union with the promise of a better market, security and a good life for all Africans.   Rekindle Nkrumah’s vision for African Unity which means partnership for progress through shared knowledge with full respect for differences among countries. 3.Establish a well staffed  Homecoming Secretariat  as a resource for citizens wanting to settle home
NDC
NPP		Contribute to a peaceful, more prosperous West Africa.	Strengthen ECOWAS to have peace in the region   Promote free movement of legitimately travellers   Lead an unprecedented collaboration of West Africa that to unleash peace and commerce.
PNC