Fixing The Country: Retrospection On The Economy Woes Of Ghana And The Way Forward -Part Twelve

Mr President, I am a senior citizen who still strongly holds that you and your Deputy were nominated by Almighty God to be at the helm of Affairs of this great Nation for a purpose. This consideration is based on the declaration in the Holy Bible at 1 Peter 2:13-14 ‘’that Leaders are nominated by Almighty God’’ and subjects or citizens must obey and help them to rule for stability of the State to ensure the sustenance of mankind’s livelihood to the glory Almighty God.

So, I consider it would be very ungodly and uncaring to stand or remain aloof without sharing my experiences and knowledge for the successful governance of this great nation. Consequently, my submissions on fixing the Country which are normally published in the esteemed Modern Ghana news website, as part of management of Modern Ghana’s effort towards the development of this great nation to the glory of Almighty of God.

It is undeniable fact that the COVID-19 pandemic, the causal effect of a global economic depression (downturn) same as what happened over 100 years ago has contributed partly to the current suffering (hard times) globally. The repercussion is not restricted to one nation or continent but the extent or damages may not be same for each country in the World just like the number of casualties especially death sustained were not the same for each country or continent. This may be due to a number of factors including when (time of outbreak, this is an important factor) and how it got into an area, the extent of spread before it was detected, measures put in place to check it, most important management to mitigate the risks (the attitude of both the individual citizens and attitude of the Managers of the Nation). Lastly, the support from neighbours or International Communities.

Furthermore, it is undeniable fact that the Russia-Ukraine War also has a contributory factor to the suffering in the whole world but unlike the COVID-19 pandemic, the associated risks with the Russia-Ukraine War that is the extent of the hardship or economic challenges or survival depends to only two factors how the economy of a Country was and is managed to be self-sufficient (both microeconomics and macroeconomics) before the war and the behaviour of the citizens especially how productive/items produced (microeconomics) and the consumption pattern of citizens especially interest in local products. That is to say the level of independent or dependent on other Nations for needs especially food items etc since an economic blockade or production problem for the dependent nation due to some of the associated risks of a war.

But Mr President, mismanagement of this great country has contributed greatly to the woes of this great nation endowed by God with rich resources including abundant sunshine. Hence the current hardship is expected because Risk experts or analysts will tell that what has happened may occur again. This assertion is even a Biblical declaration in Ecclesiastes 1:9 ‘that what has happened will happen again’. So it is not a surprise when Ghana once again has to invite the IMF for support to restore or sustain macroeconomic stability due to an economic downturn. The surprise elements were/are Ghana seeking for IMF support after declaration of vision 2020 by PNDC/Better Ghana Agenda/the vision of Ghana Beyond Aid or your Finance Minister’s statement that we are a nation of proud people so going to the IMF should not be consider as an option but within a short time, it turned out to demo that we are a nation of stupid or foolish people and going to the IMF is actually a ritual option. This man who is actually responsible for the economy of this Country and should have known or should know better that when we are God’s stupid people with foolish pride so doing our ritual requirement of contacting for support from the IMF is in our DNA. He must resign or sack or push to resign for his utterances if not for his performances which you are failing or refusing to take note of Sir. Hence I write to you to make submissions of some of the woes of our dear nation which made and are making it difficult for the nation to break through with the view to suggesting the way forward. Sir, for this country to succeed we need to know the available resources and systems (usages, strategies, structures, routine etc) as well as what happened in the past (history) just like what a medical Doctor does by diagnosing a patient’s problem before prescribing the required medicine. Hence my take covers some of the woes under the two major areas of governance namely political (the Constitution administrative/social) and economy.

POLITICAL.

Some Constitutional Issues

Politics is about the way of life. It must be transparent (honest, upright) fair, constitutional (legal and authentic) and accountable (responsible). Hence the life or existence of Ghana since 07 January 1993 was/is governed or controlled by the 1992 Constitution based on the dogma of probity, transparency and accountability one may also add fairness, participatory/inclusiveness. So some of the woes of Ghana emanate from some provisions of the 1992 Constitution which need to be amended for the country to succeed.

Mr President as you are aware, there are three arms of Government namely Legislature (Parliament), Executive and Judiciary and by the 1992 Constitution one may add the Council of State which shares power with the three main arms of Government as a pillar if not an arm, one may also add responsible Media . Furthermore, the are two prominent systems of democracy or government namely the Parliamentary same as Cabinet system or form of government which is a democratic form of government in which the political party that wins the most seats in the legislature forms the government and the Majority leader becomes the Prime Minister and so he selects his Cabinet to represent government and this system has a Head of State outside Parliament representing the State hence he or she status as Head of State like Britain.

The second system is the Presidential System of Government with the President as the Head of State, Head of Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and or active VP otherwise a standby Vice President like Ghana. The Ghanaian situation is far from that of USA also with Presidential System and maybe South Africa because unlike Ghana, the VP of USA has a prominent role to play in decision making because he or she has a casting vote at the Senate when there is deadlock, he or she as the Head of Economic Management team is backed by a Constitutional or legal provision, so and excellent collaboration with the Minister for Finance is obligatory and not a choice or depending on the whims and caprices of the benevolence (kindness etc) of his boss the Executive President or the Minister for Finance.

Mr President this affairs of the role of the VP was worse in NDC1 and appeared apparently good in NDC2 both under the late Papa J. It apparently appeared good in NPP1 and NPP2 and worse in both NDC3 (under Mills) and NDC 4 (under JDM). It looks as if the best synergy of an Executive President and a VP is in your Administration but with some traces of the disease of sidelining by your cleverly appointment of a Senior Minister same as Prime Minister because a Prime Minister is simply a Senior most Minister (Paribus centris, first among equals) may be to work to your personal advantage due to the greed of the Blackman and since you are one of us then this may include yourself sir. Just nothing but the truth or an honest pen picture.

Mr President so it should be clear, to all that, the 1992 Constitution is unique since it is a hybrid of both the British Parliamentary system (Cabinet system) or form of government and the presidential system of government or the Constitution of the USA for a purpose by the proponents.

Hence the 1992 Constitution adopted the Presidential System of Government with the President as the Head of State, Head of Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and available or Standby Vice President. The 1992 Constitution was/is based on lessons learnt from the previous Constitutions of Ghana namely the 1957 Constitution, 1960 Constitution, 1969 Constitution, 1979 Constitution and may be elements of General Acheampong’s UNIGOV. But like the Constitution of other Countries, the will certainly be some problems with the 1992 Constitution especially with times it is appropriate to do so as now envisaged. That is to say it must be amended to suit realities with time. Hence, it is high time the problematic provisions are amended for the Country to succeed or to meet today’s realities.

Aside the composition of Parliament in which 50% of the Ministers must come from Parliament (resemblance of the Parliamentary system of UK), most other provisions of the 1992 Constitution and 1979 Constitution are almost the same verbatim (word for word). The indemnity clause or Clause 34 of the Transitional Provisions (First Schedule) in the 1992 Constitution is the same as the indemnity clause in the 1969 Constitution and 1979 Constitution with the addition of the Military regime which saw the preparation of the affected Constitution, so the PNDC was added to the list of previous Military regimes in the 1992 Constitution this appropriate and must be maintained to ensure national stability and prevent costly compensations.

So Mr President it is very important to educate the citizenry that the 1992 Constitution was not drafted in 1992 to please Flt Lieutenant JJ Rawlings, the then Chairman of the PNDC. Infact both the Committee of Constitutional experts chaired by Nana Dr. S.K.B Asante, Asante Asokorehene (the Paramount of Asante Asokore) and the 257 Consultative Assembly Chaired by the Late Pi Roland Ayagitam the First Chiana Pio categorically demanded that the PNDC should not make any changes to the draft of the 1992 Constitution presented to the PNDC to organize the Referendum for the acceptance as representing popular sovereignty. Hence, the PNDC Chairman handed over same without editing or a change to the late Justice Annan the then Chairman of the National Commission for Democracy the appropriate system for the then road to democratic rule. It was only in 1996 that Parliament with the speed of light amended the 1992 Constitution (Articles 201, 206 and 211) with Act 527 of 1996 to take out some of the roles of the VP just to please the then President when he had a problem with his Deputy. This is history.

Mr President, it was the Chairman of the National Commission for Democracy, the late Justice Annan who negotiated with both the Committee of Constitutional experts and the Consultative Assembly for the addition of Clause 34 of the Transitional Provisions (First Schedule) in the 1992 Constitution to cover all military regimes. The Chairman of the Committee of Constitutional experts namely Nana Dr. S.K.B Asante, Asante Asokorehene is still alive to authenticate this assertion. I am also hereby defending one of my prominent Chiefs, the Late Pi Roland Ayagitam the First Chiana Pio who happened to be my godfather (he lobbied for Scholarship for my Secondary School education from then Chiana/Paga Local Council then one Mr Agbeleh as the Clerk of Council and gave me other support during my education hence I must rise to the occasion to defend his good name to proof that it was all by God that I came very close to him, my then Chief). He and Nana Dr. S.K.B Asante ensured that the PNDC did not make any change to the text or main provisions of 1992 Constitution. This is history.

As expected, changes were made by the 257 Consultative Assembly. Based on the collective views of Stakeholders (including the Military especially on the appointment of the CDS Service Commanders etc) , the Consultative Assembly made some Changes to the primary draft of the 1992 Constitution as prepared by the Committee of Constitutional experts. For instance, the Committee of Constitutional experts recommended an Executive President and Executive Prime Minister sharing executive powers almost like the 1969 Constitution but the citizenry through the Consultative Assembly disagreed with the Committee of Constitutional experts and opted for Executive President and a standby Vice President nominated by the VP as in the 1992 Constitution it will eliminate they were proofed right in 1996 by the bad blood between the then President JJ Rawlings of NDC and then VP Ekow Arkaah from a different Political party As stated the 1992 Constitution has provisions for any amendment. So, the late President Mills Administration attempted to amend some of the provisions.

Mr President the most recent view in public on the 1992 Constitution was that of the current Minister for Parliamentary Affairs/Majority leader. Among others, he called for the adoption of the Parliamentary system of Government according him due to an allege huge cost incurred by a Presidential Candidate whose constituency is the whole country as against the one constituency for his or her campaign in a parliamentary system in which the person who will become the Prime Minister as was provided in the 1969 Constitution is the leader of the Political Party with majority seats in Parliament and the Prime Minister select his cabinet (all or 100% Ministers) from Parliament termed as Supremacy of Parliament

(that Parliament can do everything except changing a man to a woman) system. Sir this is good for Ghana due to we black people’s greed, which the Majority leader failed to take note of.

In 1969 as by the 1969 Constitution, Dr Busia whose constituency was restricted to Wenchi and was the leader of the Progress Party became the Prime Minister because his party, the Progress Party had majority seats in Parliament. The debate should be either we maintain the current situation which requires 50% of the Ministers from Parliament or prohibit members of Parliament from appointed as Ministers.

In the 1979 Constitution, President Linman with a slim majority in Parliament had 100% Ministers outside the Parliament this made him to incur some serious problems that the President ruling so he was forced to open the Constitution four times in day. You are very but lucky with a Huang Parliament but you talked of difficulty in carrying out some of your policies due to no clear majority in Parliament with the hybrid governmental system.

We need to study the 1992 Constitution very well and will appreciate that it is a hybrid of the Presidential and Cabinet or Parliamentary system of Government so as to address a lot of problems including rancor and acrimony associated with political parties. So the Presidential Candidates are regarded or envisaged by the 1992 Constitution as independent candidates and not necessary on political lines but candidates are permitted to align with a party which is a machinery for winning elections and way to reduce the huge cost which an individual candidate may bear. To reduce further cost to the Candidates/Political Parties and to the Country, both the Presidential and Parliamentary elections which are two distinct elections are held on the same day.

The 1992 Constitution is based on probity, transparency and accountability and so designed to reduce the matter of corruption as raised by him. So if there is any problem then Members of Parliament especially from the ruling administrations since January 1993 were/are the problem not the Constitution. Hence and thanks to Almighty God for teaching us something about the need for genuine honesty by all especially the members of the Executive and need for conducting effective stakeholders engagements on government policies (I hope your Administration especially the Finance Minister has leant a great lesson from not heeding to the advice of Dr Bawumia on the E-levy when he appeared on Peace FM and the Agyapa Royalties).We have a Hung Parliament by God’s making to ensure collaborations and the need for members of Parliament to open their eyes to ensure the control the purse, in order to prevent create and looting schemes by greedy politicians in the name of amortizing past loans or securing loans for projects through effective scrutiny of policies and loan agreements, etc by the members of Parliament So, knowing the very greedy nature of his people, the Almighty God, as stated gave us a Hung Parliament with a vibrant and effective Minority side of Parliament led by a brilliant and strong but cooperative Minority Leader, coincidentally a brother and a fellow Nabia (old student of Navrongo Secondary School).

A careful study of the Constitution will reveal a lot. So our problem is bad leadership not very much on the constitution. The problem is that greed has taken the better side of the black man or the Ghanaian otherwise the Minister for Finance should have resigned by now for the poor management of the economy especially how he handled the Agyapa Royalties deal, a potential smart financial portfolio that could help in the fulfillment of section 6 of that Article 257 of the 1992 Constitution which says the Minerals are for the people of Ghana, so any attempt to let the people benefit from the minerals especially becoming effective shareholders is godly. But he spoilt this golden chance.

In November 2021 for a hidden greedy agendum, your administration rushed and illegally abolished the road toll and threw dust into the eyes of the public especially GPRTU and other road users for them to buy the e-levy policy with the hope that when accepted it will be used to leverage for huge loans (chopping of current and future money) for projects. The Minister for Finance’s e-levy blunder and the associated utterances that Ghana should not seek support from the IMF because of Ghanaian’s pride, so it will be shameful to so do but he has invited them for support is a big shame to you the face of Ghana because he represented you so he man must be made to leave office.

Mr President I can and hereby comfortably say that one exceptional Ghanaian Politician who was not greedy is then Vice President Mahama in the Mills Administration who reportedly attempted to resign as VP when he was sidelined as reported by Manasseh in his book. But he should be very careful now so as not to allow bad nuts to put a wrong picture about him as a very greedy person (chopping current and future money) through create and looting schemes by the list of his so called projects by JDM Administration circulating in public domain. Those doing so or JDM must be very honest to also disclose certain information like he continued with the projects initiated by his predecessors. Example some of the Hospitals including the second Military Hospital at Afari originally planned to be built closed to 4 Garrison (HQ Central Command and 4BN) are Euroget projects initiated by ex-President Kofour but re-located to Afari by the late President Mills, otherwise the so called massive infrastructure by JDM through loans etc may be regarded as create and loot schemes to chop both current and future money, the hallmark of some government officials/politicians. The procurement of 100years material etc by PWD in the past speaks volume about juju and tricks of the Ghanaians to loot the State.

This leads me to an issue of the Vice President as talked by the Majority Leader. So he talked of the need for Executive President and Executive Prime Minister instead of the current Executive President and a Vice President. Hmm, I may agree with him because a careful study of the role and contributions of the Vice Presidents in the Fourth Republic will reveal that Presidents adopt all means to sideline the VP. Currently, you have a scheme meant for sidelining the VP by the post of a wasteful Senior Minister (centris paribus or first among equals) who is equivalent to Prime Minister. This status as stated has the potential to sideline or undermine the constitutional appointed VP. So, a smart and clever siting VP needs to be cautious and fine a way to motivate himself (I rest my case).

JDM who has been a VP before and the only former VP who is still alive can honestly speak on issues of the VP. He was right when he said that one who has not been a President before should not say something wrong with his Presidency. So as a former VP (who even attempted to resign because he was sidelined but thanks to Mamma Lordina, he became President in 2012 by default). He can vouch that the cacophony talked about Economic Management Team does not have a definite role in management of the Economy.

Economic Management Team, t is just another coffee/biscuit or tea party adding cost to cost. Those who cannot see things very well may accuse Prophet Dr Bawumia for talking of a strong Economic Management Team in President Nana Addo’s era. Hmm note beside teasing the NDC, he mentioned that Mr Allan Cash is a member, which is a must requirement, so when the chance opens to put himself forward as potential Flag bearer, the Alan’s Camp cannot accuse him for bad management of the economy because he mentioned Alan is a member and knows what is happening in the kitchen.

The management of the economy is in the hands of the President and the Minister of Finance (period). So, His Excellency Vice President Dr Bawumia curved special niches for himself with his digitization and digitalization agenda, aid to leprosy victims, etc hence he has demonstrated himself as the best VP in the Fourth Republic. Hence the 1992 Constitution provides a Standing by Vice President to immediately take over when the President resigns or dies as exemplified in 2012, when then Vice President Mahama took over when President Mills passed away. So the Standby VP is aimed at to prevent a vacuum or a costly election for a new President so cost effective measure among other good reasons. We may adopt the South Africa Constitutional provision by Executive President and the President nominates a cabinet Minister as his Deputy or Acting President anytime he may not be able to perform his or her duties or the cabinet nominates one of them as Acting President.

The public need to be told that the Executive President and Executive Prime Minister, which is the Parliamentary System of Government as provided in the1969 Constitution, implies that almost all if not all (100%) of the Ministers must come from Parliament and the Prime Minister is first among equals (centris paribus). The idea of Executive President and a VP to see the whole Ghana as their Constituency is very appropriate. So by the 1992 Constitution Mr President it was very wrong for the failing to visit the people of Keta during their dilemma because it is one of your nationwide Constituency. .

Mr President, despite the good work of his Excellency Vice President Dr Bawumia which may appear to defend the need for a VP, I suggest that to save money, the Constitution should be amended to abolish the post of the Vice President and based on the utterance of the current speaker on his potentiality as Acting President and the absurd provision which made the Chief Justice also as potential Acting President, the relevant Articles which speak of the potential status of the Speaker and the Chief Justice as acting President when both the President and VP are not available and when the President, VP and Speaker are not available respectively should be amended and an insertion into the Constitution that the President should nominate someone especially a member of his cabinet to add as Acting President or the Cabinet to nominate one of them as Acting President.

He also talked of the curtailing of the appointing authority of the Executive President. The President is the Head of State or Head of National Executive so he makes appointments as in the Appointment Clauses, including Article 70 of the 1992 Constitution. There should not be a debate on this because the President as the Head of State and head of National Executive should be the appointing authority. This what pertains globally and most school of thought or experts in political science or government agree with this provision. The President shares this responsibility through check and balance concept through the consultation with or on the advice of the Council of State for these appointments

He also indicated that he was of the view that the Executive President should not appoint the CDS, Service Commanders, IGP and Heads of State Security Agencies but failed to indicate the appointing authority. It must be made clear to him and others that the President is the Head of State or Head of National Executive, Head of Government, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ghana, hence the designation of the President as the appointing authority for the post of CDS and others in the State Security Agencies is appropriate. He is required to do so in consultation with the Council of State.

Mr President the need to ensure the Civilian authority (President) controls the gun and the subordination of the Security Institutions to Civilian Authority for the Executive to carry out national security duties is sine qua non (is necessary or an indispensable requirement). Globally, the Head of State, head of National Executive appoints the CDS, Service Commanders of the Armed Forces, the Commissioner of Police Number 1 COP1 (IGP) and the Police Commissioners and Heads of other State Security Agencies. Both the 2010 Constitutional Review Committee constituted to collate and collect views on the amendment of Constitution and the Government White agreed that the appointment of the CDS, IGP and others must be done by the President. This so because the Head of State is the only one who can declare war or State of Emergency as prescribed by the Constitution? Lessons were drawn in various wars including the American civil war between 1861 and 1865 between the Southern States (the secessionist Confederacy and the Union or Northern States of America when then President Abraham Lincoln initiated a move and abolished slave trade and had a disloyalty problem with one of the Generals by name General George Maclean and has to sack him.

So the Head of State as the Battle Commander, must select his or her War Commanders and sack any disloyal or coward General. He or she must. The President must have absolute command and control of the Armed Forces of Ghana and the other State Security Agencies to pursue his Constitutional functions. So, all Military Officers are commissioned (appointed) and all Commissioners of Police (COP) with the IGP as COP1 and the Heads of the State Security Agencies are appointed or must be appointed by the Head of State. This what pertains in all Countries and in the old days in Kingdoms or Chiefdom in our tradition as stated in the book Makers of Civilization.

Ghana has great experiences on the conduct of MPs especially lessons during the Liman’s Administration when his budget was thrown away by Parliament though his Party had majority seats in Parliament. The truth was that Liman’s budget was thrown out due to his refusal to meet the demand of Parliamentarians or some of them. We should also reflect on the alleged situation on the Vodafone deal during ex-President Kofour’s era. If both are true then these Speaks volume that man is sinful and greedy and some members of Parliament may continue to adopt eye service to please the President for some favours. We also have a lesson to learn for the delay by the current Parliament in passing the appropriation bill for 2022 budget due to very poor stakeholders’ engagement by you. So let us do a good debate and adopt good system of government. The only problem in Ghana’s Parliament is that we do not have strong and nationalistic Parliamentarians especially from the same Party of the ruling Administration like in the British parliamentary system of Government with a Legislature which has similarity with Ghana’s Parliament since Ministers are also selected from Members of Parliament but in Britain Ministers can call the Prime Minister who nominated them to resign or account for his acts. But our timid MPs or greedy MPs in the past Administrations could not cough when the executive presents a policy for consideration.

We need to appreciate that the 1992 Constitution is modelled like the USA Constitution and actually makes provisions for Independent candidates for seats in Parliament and Independent Presidential Candidates thus Presidential Candidates not necessary with Political Parties connection. So an independent President is what the Constitution envisaged or requires but Political Parties are machineries to win both the Parliamentary and Presidential elections hence most Candidates prefer contesting with the support of Political Parties. So Ghana may one day have a President who is not aligned to a Political Party at all so we should factor this, as well as the sinful (corrupt) nature of man in our debate for the way forward.

The 1992 Constitution demands some key tenets namely probity, good governance, accountability, transparency, participatory and inclusion (Equity and Inclusiveness), Rule of Law and Responsiveness. So as stated no Constitution is rigid hence the 1992 constitution has provisions for its amendments. The Constitution talks of at least 10 and at most 19 cabinet Ministers. But Presidents in the Fourth Republic including you have failed to protect the purse by appointing over 40 Ministers. We need to debate on how many Ministers heading Ministries should be appointed by the President. 36 to 40 is recommended.

The President is expected to ensure the judicious use of the purse as well as account expenditures to Parliament. Parliament is responsible for the control of the purse and the President is expected to make only essential appointments for the running of his Presidency. Parliament and to some extent the Council of State and the Judiciary when invoked are to act as check and balance on the Executive to arrest unbridled expenditure but the executive sometimes managed to do wasteful expenses. To reduce our wage bills and associated cost on Ministers and Ministries, I recommend a minimum of 19 and a maximum of 40 Ministers or Ministries and all Regions must have a Minister and Members of Parliament should not be more than 200.

Once again I wish to state that the Ministry of National Security with armed security elements is unconstitutional because it negates the letter and spirit of Article 85 of the 1992 Constitution, this will help save money for the Agric Sector. It is feared that the armed security elements control by Politicians and not under Commanders of Professional Security Service Units or Agencies could be used to influence an election in favour of the government of the day, since their employment is tied to the tour of duty of the incumbent Presidency and by man’s greedy nature they will fight for the continuation of the status quo.

It is envisaged that Ghana is sitting on time bomb to be detonated in 2024, because the NDC will not be happy for losing the election in three consecutive times. The situation may be worsened if His Excellency Ex-President JD Mahama is a Presidential candidate for the 2024 Presidential election, with the backing of the NDC. So, if the current architecture of the National Security is not changed, His Excellency Ex-President JD Mahama will have a genuine cause not to accept a disgraceful defeat in three consecutive times even if the candidate of the NPP happens to win the election in a clean manner.

Mr President this is not a threat nor a joke but a fact based on proper risk (security) analysis on the posture of my brother His Excellency Ex-President JD Mahama (HEJDM) between December 2016 and current with his boot for boot mantra. Mr President I want to draw your attention to what happened with the delay of the proclamation of the result of the 2016 Presidential Election by the EC (you Google for Charlotte Osei, Chairperson for EC sought for clearance from the top hierarchy of the Ghana before declaring Nana Addo as President-elect) and take mental note of the efforts of the Ashantehene before HEJDM accepted defeat to pave way for the announcement of the results by the EC. You may also draw great lessons from the posture of HEJDM and the NDC in the 2020 Presidential Election culminating in the time, money and energy spent as result of the challenge of the 2020 Presidential results by the HEJDM.

Mr President, a participant in a game must ensure he or she understands the rules of the Game, officials. The process/procedure leading to the game must be honest, transparent and fair. It should be clear to all and sundry that per the 1992 Constitution vigilance and professionalism at the Pooling Station are the requirements at the pooling station by all stakeholders to ensure the right things are done and election is also governed by a Constitutional Instrument passed by Parliament and results are documented on the pink sheets which reps of candidates are required to sign as authentication. Furthermore, the 1992 Constitution gives room for a participant to invoke the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court (as the Constitutional Court) on only Constitutional infringement or an act not done as per the associated Constitutional Instrument. So participants must learn to the right thing as per the Constitution.

Mr President once again review the Ministry of National Security otherwise, I may call on the NDC to get the Supreme Court to declare the Ministry of National Security as unconstitutional. You may retain only a Minister of State for National Security and abolish the Ministry of National Security with formed armed troops not under the IGP nor the CDS. I wish you could read again the report of the Committee on the Ayawaso Wagon bye election which showed that a whole respected then IGP who is a key member of National Security Council or normally represented by his Regional Commanders at REGSECs was not aware of a taskforce for internal security duties speaks volume of a potential national security calamity. We also need to check if the armed security elements in the Forestry Commission is Constitutional or unconstitutional.

Administration /Social sector,

Mr President, it seemed your administration and your party did not take cue from Proverb 27.2 that state that ‘let another man praise you, and not your own mouth or not your own lips’. You and your party, fully aware of the current political atmosphere with a Hung Parliament should always be building cordial stakeholders fora especially in Parliament. Unfortunately, you have ignored good statecraft and indulged and still indulging in the cacophony of breaking the eight mantra, knowing very well that political ownership is temporary because as stated among others in Proverbs 27:23-27 “a crown does not endure to all generations. So, you as the Leader or father of the Nation and the leader of your party must know the state of things and be diplomatic or discreet, considerate and judicious in the management of the resources of the Country, ensure fairness participatory, inclusiveness, nothing may be lost, no opportunity let slip and everything is done in proper time and good order and so as to turn to the best advantage of the Nations which may be beneficial to your party.

Mr President, it seemed your leadership style is in line with the wisdom of the late Ex-President Nelson Mandela which says ‘is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur and you take the front line when there is serious danger or emergency’. You started for over 100 Ministers at very huge cost to the nation and so much has been said or documented about an adoption of apparent lukewarm leadership style by you, so no reshuffling of your Ministers because it appears, we either have poor cost analysis on the numerous appointees or you were sharing massa to the detrimental of an investment in the Agric sector and also weak intelligence gathering on corrupt practices for you to act or you failed and you are failing to see or hear no wrong acts by your appointees including the Finance Minister who has badly managed the economy. At least his utterances.

Mr President, this Minster failed to appreciate the state of affairs that led to the down grading of Ghana and had the audacity to dispute the poor grades of Ghana by International Analysts but later on agreed with their grading, what a shame. This contributed to the loss of confidence by investors in Ghana (of his competence) otherwise his integrity maybe questionable. Lastly. Mr President Good business analysis and foresight is part of wisdom and this is lacking Sir

ECONOMIC

General

Mr President unless the National Leaders, currently you and your appointees especially you, (because the buck stop with the President) manage the nation with positive attitudinal change otherwise the way the economics or the country is ran, the macroeconomic fundamentals of this country will continue to be very weak. Thus macroeconomic instability hence seeking support from the IMF may be a ritual in the life of this country with abundant rich resources. We Citizens also need to change our attitude towards work, do away or reduce our high penchant for foreign goods and stop our readiness to front for foreigners in the mining, commerce or business sectors.

As you aware the macroeconomic fundamentals of a country depend on some variables namely Gross Domestic Product (GDP growth), money supply both local currency and Foreign Exchange, government or public debt, trade openness, terms of trade, political stability and interest rate and Inflation rate among others. Hence the way forward is to ensure macroeconomic stability is a concerted effort by the Bank of Ghana and the Executive Arm of Government in the management of the monetary and fiscal policies respectively.

Economics implies limited or scarce resource hence about Scarcity and Choice and need for prioritization of needs to ensure viable productive sectors and then pursuant or acquisition of the most pressing needs. Hence your government must prioritize policies especially on measures to ensure import substitution thus provision of enough budget allocation or expenditure in the productive sector especially in agricultural sector for its transformation and modernization to generate revenue or wealth, employment, reduce inflation in the food sector, thus increase GDP, and development is the key to success for any wiser Administration to see through. It is shocking that with better land than Nigeria we cannot produce enough rice to feed ourselves and most disturbing one of our own Hon Odoom supported Nigeria to do the magic in rice production

Need for Transformation and Modernization of Agriculture

Agriculture plays a vital role in contributing to socio-economic developments. It is the principal source of revenue, employment, livelihood, and food security for the majority of rural people. In the year 2019, the agricultural sector reportedly contributed about 20% to Ghana’s gross domestic product (GDP). This sector besides contributing to Ghana’s GDP, it also provides raw materials for industrial growth and development. Since the Agriculture Sector provides food, raw materials, and foreign exchange, which further brings about industrialization, implies that the economic growth and development of this country will depend on the form of the agricultural sector. The table below speaks volume on issues on investment and other matters on the management of the Agricultural sector and the other sectors stated.

2009-2018 GDP growth figures by sectors (%)

The table show a poor or dwindling performance of the agricultural sector after attainment of 7.2% in 2009. This could be explained as the decrease in government expenditure or allocation of resources to the sector over the years. This must be reversed if we want to succeed, we need an Odoom to help us achieve success in the production of rice, maize and sugar.

It is reported that Ghana imported some 689,000 metric tonnes of rice in 2016, and that cost approximately $300 million and Ghana spent an estimated total of GH6.874 billion (US$1.52Bilion) on the importation of rice from 2017 to 2020 as reported on 15 Dec 2021 by GNA. This implies an average of US$371miilion per year from 2017 to 2020. But the actual import of rice in 2020 was $391Milion which made Nkrumah’s Ghana to be the 20th largest importer of Rice in the world under your watch. These statistics and the figures in the table above are indicative of decline in the production in the Agric sector and or increase of the penchant of the citizenry for foreign rice. Once this must be reversed if we want to succeed, we need an Odoom to help us achieve success in the production of rice

Unfortunately, that in 2020, Ghana exported $220,000.00 in Rice to Benin and other countries, making it the 107th largest exporter of Rice in the world.

Mr President among other food crops belonging to the grass family which are imported in millions of dollars which can be grown as import substitution plan are rice and sugar. The Rice can be grown in all of the regions of Ghana especially the Volta Region, the North and Eastern Region. Hence need to invest a lot in the production of rice at these areas to generate revenue both local and foreign currencies (to reduce loss of foreign currency or as part of import substitution plan) cannot be over-emphasized. What are needed first good leaders, hardworking and dedicated/committed personnel and huge investment in mechanization of agricultural sector through machinery and equipment such as tractors, power tillers, seed drillers, combined harvestors etc. Then Agric infrastructure such as roads, irrigation dams, warehouses etc), credit facilities through the Rice Millers to ensure close relationship between the farmers and the Rice Millers or the judicious of credits.

The Finance Minister, a good Christian has ignored the warning in Proverb 27.23 investment in Agric Sector is the best for mankind. This should be done based on the basic fundamentals of economics theories, which include what to produce with limited or scarce funds or use of concept of opportunity cost (herein recommended the production of rice, maize, poultry) so as to provide enough expenditure or budget for the transformation and modernization of Agriculture for production of rice etc as stated above to save foreign currency and generate revenue to settle debts. How to produce (good seeds, application of fertilizer hence its availability, Agric mechanization with tractors, transplanters or seed drillers, power tillers, combine harvesters). Lastly, where/who to produce (massive rice production in the Volta Region which has the highest yield of 6 metric tonnes per hectare, Eastern Region with 4 metric tonnes per hectare and in the north especially the Fumbesi valley, Nasia etc

Modernization of Mining

Mr President over $5billion per year or so, was reportedly by you as loss to smuggling of gold especially from the small mining scale sector. This may be so with the involvement of foreigners in the small scale mining sector. We are fully aware that mining is a capital intensive sector, so the behaviour of fellow Ghanaians penchant for fronting for foreigners is expected. So when need to think outside the box and add a third nomenclature in the Mining Sector as medium mining scale to address the fronting for foreigners in the mining sector as well as help reduce smuggling and corruption

Checking of smuggling of gold & measures to deal with fronting by Ghanaians for foreigners

As stated in previous submissions, Ghana must adopt a proper definition for small scale mining which is regarded globally as poverty driven activity which the participants regard as God given economic activity or livelihood projects as a solution to their suffering or their poverty situations. The way forward is to adopt the PNDC Laws on Small Scale Gold Mining Law 1989 (PNDCL218) and ensure operators operate in Cooperative form of 10 people or more as Community Mining with the approval of the opinion leaders especially the traditional leaders.

The Precious Minerals Marketing Company should be converted into Precious Minerals Board akin to COCOBOD and work together with the Minerals Commission, the District Mining Committees which should be invigorated with the inclusion of the District Police Commander NIB (BNI) Officer to ensure vibrant and efficacious Upstream, the downstream, the side stream, the middle stream including some related matters.

As stated mining is capital intensive and need to ensue Ghanaians in the commanding heights in the mining sectors which will help reduce capital flight suggests the urgent need to come out with policies or law that allows limited collaboration with foreigners and the growth of the Company to virtual become wholly owned by Ghanaians. Medium Scale Mining Sector as proposed above is the way to do so. This must allow partnership between Ghanaians and foreigners. This therefore calls for the incorporation of a company as per Ghanaian laws and it is recommended that the seed capital should be more than that for the Small Scale Mining sector but less than that for the operation of Large Scale Mining ($100million dollars). Hence, a minimum of $400,000.00 (cost of two or three excavators from China) and not more than 10million dollars investment by foreigners is suggested for the Medium Scale Mining Sector.

The proposed Medium Scale Mining Companies to be made to acquire Mining Lease of a minimum of 60 acres and not more than 120 acres as Mining Right for 15 years subject to renewal for another 15years. Under no condition should foreign partners be allowed to operate Medium Scale Mining Companies solely by operating without a Ghanaian Counterpart or by sacking or disengaging the Ghanaian Counterpart(s) from the partnership without replacement. Medium Scale Mining Companies to work under direct supervision of the Department of the Minerals Commission for Large Scale Mining or a separate Department designated for the proposed Medium Scale Mining.

Applicants for Medium Scale Mining Companies (both Ghanaians and foreigners) to be made to declare source of funding, the amount to be used in the operation, the number of local people to be employed or local a content policy to ensure they employ at least 10 people from the area to create employment vacancies and distribute wealth. The local content policy for the proposed Medium Scale Mining should make them to employ a Mining Officer or Manager, a Safety Officer, an Environmental Officer, a Nurse, to help create jobs and distribute wealth.

The proposed Medium Scale Mining Companies must be required to post Reclamation/Re-grassing Bond for restoring the land by the State, if they failed to do so. To reclaim the bond, Mine Closure and approval of the Abandonment/exoneration Certificate by the inspectorate division of Minerals Commission, the EPA and DCE should be required or as per current regulations/laws.

The propose Medium Scale Mining Companies must be made to strictly abide by the Minerals and Mining (General) Regulation 2012 (LI2173). Especially the conduct of responsible mining, smelting or processing and the gold produced is properly weighed, documented or recorded, assayed and valued and sold immediately to licensed buyers per Minerals and Mining (General) Regulation (LI2173) and the authorized buyers to also make immediate sales to the Precious Minerals Marketing Company The returns or reports are submitted as prescribed by regulations.

Protection of the Environment by Medium Scale Miners

Mr President, for the operation of the proposed Medium Scale Mining as stated there must be a requirement for Incorporating of a Company, with a spelt out minimum and maximum capital or funding threshold, posting of Reclamation Bond to ensure backfilling or reclamation and revegetation or regressing after mining, in addition to other prerequisites as deemed appropriate and it is permissible for the Registered Company to operate in more than one Districts or areas, provided it satisfies the preconditions.

Governance for the Medium Scale Mining

The governance of the proposed Medium Scale Sector must be the same for large Scale Mining Companies.

Energy Sector

The Rural Electrification was/is a very laudable venture but the problem in the Energy sector may be partly due to the massive Rural Electrification projects with loans in US Dollars and the rate of depreciation of the Cedis contribute to rise in the energy debt as well as debt due to transmission losses from the far away sources of power to the bulk supply point, a high cost of infrastructure, equipment, material from high transmission lines, pylons, Offices, labour etc using foreign exchange mostly loans without good cost recovery measures. No meters were provided at some areas, so areas without meters were therefore directly under VRA thus enjoying free power from the Grid because no measures like usage of meters for the direct payment for the power supply, Prestea as stated enjoyed power from VRA until 2015 when meters were installed in Prestea by ECG. Somanya was reported recently as enjoying free power and no meters installed as at date.

Though the Administration (the technical team of the finance, economic and power experts) of

Ex-President Mahama may be blamed for the prolong dumsor for seemingly mismanagement of the energy sector by previous administrations and his administration, the contributing factors include poor investment in the energy sector whilst carrying out intensive electrification Programe to achieve 100% national coverage by 2020, as well as failure to provide sufficient meters for consumers of power and no payment for the subsidies by government to ensure cost recovery so the power producers can pay their debts in dollars in time and improve in the generation, transmission and distribution of power. Example Somanya enjoyed free power until recently that they provided with meters. The whole Prestea and enclave enjoyed free power from the National grid before 2015.

Also failure to educate the people on the productive use of power, and above all a failure to add more cheap hydro-power through mini-hydro power plants on the Rivers Black Volta and White Volta, Ankobra, Tano, Oti etc., Lastly poor education of the people on measures to ensure saving of energy as adopted by Ex-President Kofour that saw the saving of over 500KW of power.

The PNDC and past Presidents of the Fourth Republic share the blame for the accelerated rural electrification project especially between 2011 and 2016 and failure to economically manage power distribution to ensure readily available power 24/7 to Industries, commercial houses etc and placing the residential areas under power supply rotation or dumsor time table. Since the pay very low.

The history of power supply speaks volume of a lot of good and bad deeds of the State. Before the construction of the Akosombo hydroelectric power, electricity supply in Ghana before 1965 was generated by thermal energy mainly from fossil energy, biomass (by burning products like sawdust/wood shavings from timber, bagasse from sugarcane) and steam from boilers. So as part of the industrialization agenda by President Nkrumah or the CPP regime, the Akosombo hydroelectric power Station was built to provide power mainly for VALCO, the Mines Tema Industrial areas, sale to Benin, Togo etc based on bilateral agreement for the construction of the Dam and for generation of foreign exchange to amortize (to pay ) the loan.

The Akosombo hydroelectric power was not for domestic usage. So thermal energy was used for domestic sector. To supply power to other parts including domestic usage at very low cost. The Komenda Sugar factory was established by Dr Nkrumah not necessary for economic reason but also as part of political reason as promised made to local gin producers and to see that the factory produces good ethanol for them and power from Biomass (bagasse) and steam from the boiler for them and the Komenda area in general.

Dr Nkrumah, furthermore initiated both the construction of the Kpong hydroelectric power Dam and Bui hydroelectric power Dam to provide cheap power but could not complete the projects before he was overthrown in Feb 1966.

Enter the regime of the late Prime Minister Dr Busia with his rural development effort. So initiated the rural electrification programme for among others the following benefits (a) basic lighting for improvement of security enhancement of education possibilities as pupils and students are able to study during night time, Clinics and hospitals can operate at night (b). Power for Storing of food, vaccines, medicine allowing for improved health conditions (c) communication and entertainment by TV, Radio, Internet, Cinema (d) power for irrigation, milling (agro-industry ). Prime Minister Dr Busia did so to a limited extent before he was overthrown.

The late General Acheampong, in his grand style mode, type Dr Nkrumah continued with the Kpong hydroelectric power Dam, which was initiated by Dr Nkrumah in 1965. He, Dr Nkrumah completed the Akosombo hydroelectric power Station. General Acheampong with vey good plans for the supply of power to other parts of Ghana especially the Western Region invited some American experts in Power matters in 1978 to help him provide enough power for the nation. Hence, he had plans to add cheaper from hydro-power through mini-hydro power plants on the Rivers Black Volta and White Volta, Ankobra, Tano, Oti etc. At that time, the Western Region had only the Mines at Tarkwa and Prestea connected to the national grid. Samareboi Timber enjoyed power from own thermal generators which supplied power to the town.

Ex-President Liman also continued with the Bui Dam with $15miilioon and completed the Kpong hydroelectric power Dam. He also through Professor Benin, then as the Minister for Energy invited the same America Power team which General Acheampong used his plan for the development of power for the whole nation. Thus option was for use of cheap power mix with thermal plants using distillate as fuel and if possible gas for a gradual supply of electricity for the whole nation.

The woes of the Country in the power sector started with the PNDC in 1995 with good effort to extend power to all parts of Ghana or so came out with the National Electrification Scheme. This was continued by the NDC eras with a very brilliant and commendable vision 2020 to achieve 100% electrification of Ghana by 2020 and this venture was at very high cost to the State. Because it was mainly both political reason and social cost with less economic consideration. A Community which needed power under a Self Help Project only need to provide cheap power poles and wiring of some number of houses.

No proper education on the productive usage of power to ensure payment for it or the need for payment upon connection power to the Communities, so areas did not have meters. The long range for distribution resulted in huge transmission losses. Hence the PNDC, and NDC1 and NDC2 under the watch of the late Papa J instead of constructing cheap hydro power stations like the proposed Multipurpose Pwalugu Dam that could also be used for irrigation of farms or other productive usage to improve on the economic fundamentals of Ghana rather extended power from the national grid from Akosombo and Kpong Dams in a rural master electrification scheme,

The late Papa J extended power to the North, Brong Ahafo, part of the Volta Region not under ECG and established the Northern Electrification Department of VRA (a good job and thankful for that). He also extended power to other parts not enjoying power from the National grid. The objectives of the National Electrification Scheme were as follows: (a) increasing the overall socio-economic development of the nation and creating wealth thereby alleviating poverty, especially in the rural areas. (b) Increasing people’s standard of living, especially those in the rural areas (c) Creating small-to-medium scale industries in rural areas (d) Enhancing activities in other sectors of the economy, such as agriculture, health, education, tourism etc. (e). Creating jobs in the rural areas and thereby reducing the rate of rural to urban migration

The NDC1 under Papa JJ established the Aboadze power enclave with thermal plants Takoradi Thermal (TT1 and TT2) Plants on distillate as fuel usage to provide power for the Western Region which aside Prestea, Tarkwa enjoyed power from national grid the rest were on generators. The late Papa J bought Osagyefo power barge at high cost with a loan payment yet to be completed Due to legal problems with Balkan Energy and others, the Barge was never used by subsequent administrations and due to poor national security work at site of the Barge is now a total scrap. Mr President Cry the Beloved Country by Alan Paton refers

Enter ex-President Kofour

Enter ex-President Kofour he continued with the National Electrification Scheme at low pace. He continued and completed the Takoradi Thermal Plants 3 (TT3) for usage of Steam from TT1 and TT2 for generation of power at Takoradi and realizing that there was too much of waste in the usage of power ex-President Kofour, smartly adopted power saving methods and saved about 600KWM of power. He initiated a loan agreement for further construction of the Bui Dam. Saw to the establishment of the Asogli Plant to use distillate and gas though West African Gas Pipeline. The Mining Companies also built a Mining Reserve Power Plant at Tema ex-President Kofour came out with GRIDCO transmission of power so as restrict ECG to role of distribution and collection in areas not covered by the Northern Electricity Department. Ex-President Kofour also came out with the introduction or renewable energy through solar energy to a limited extent.

Enter the late President Mills

Did a good job for the completion of the Bui Dam. Revalued the energy system and in his Better Ghana Agenda came out with a very nice Energy Master Plan with the passage of Act 800 of 2010 which saw the introduction of the rural electrification levy as part of cost recovery. He added solar power with the Navrongo 2.5 KW solar power project as part of cheap source of power. , Introduced streets lights with solar energy

Enter Ex-President JDM Mahama

Ex-President JDM Mahama continued with the National Electrification Scheme added more thermal plants at very high cost which can fire on booth distillate and gas, without factoring or consideration of cheap mini hydro power stations. Administrations from President Kofour to your Administration could not halt the activities of Small Scale miners so we have them to destroy the potential of River Ankobra and others for cheap Hydro power. Ghana achieved 82% national coverage by 2016 under ex-President Mahama the highest in the South Sahara Africa .JD M did a good job with the energy recovery levy but the cash flow for service of debts about $1billion does not march with the exchange rate. Hence we should prioritize our needs.

Enter President Nana Addo

Enter you, His Excellency President Nana Addo with allegation of take or pay arrangements reached with power suppliers by JDM’s administration. If this is true, then it this has put Ghana into a debts crisis in the energy sector. You need to correct any wrongs since monies for other sectors of the economy especially Agric may be hampered. Sir, you need to install meters in all state institutions including the Security Agencies. Please if I hope you could please recall of a Government Official during the first regime of you President Nana Addo was reported to have installed 14 air conditioners at his residence including some at toilets, this was or is a wakeup call to put measures to reduce waste.

There is the need for improvement in the energy sector by developing more hydropower stations especially mini-hydropower stations and renewable energy to reduce the high cost of running fossil power generators or Thermal Plant on distillate (gas oil, kerosene etc),

Mr President another disturbing or seemingly mismanagement issue is the movement of the Ameri Plant by your Administration like Kokofu football. So you need to ensure cost recovery in the Energy Sector. You blamed JDM when you took over you for siting at the Tema enclave presumably to enjoy gas from the West African Gas Pipeline may be he forgot of the Atoabu Gas Plant which could supply the free or cheap gas but costly to transmit. So the idea by you to move it Takoradi Thermal Power enclave was sound. But it is reported that you intend to move it to Kumasi, I hope it is not for political reason of sharing the national kose or boforoto but to reduce transmission losses upon effective cost benefit analysis.

Thanks for reading Sir.

Major Mohammed Bogobiri (rtd)

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