NDC To Roll Out Road Map To Prosperous Nation
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has tagged its Election 2008 Manifesto as Road Map to Building a Prosperous Nation for all Ghanaians irrespective of political or ethnic affiliations.
It reckons that Election 2008 offers Ghanaians an opportunity to change the mode of governance once again for accelerated development "as a third term continuous governance under the New Patriotic Party would lead to stagnation of the development of the nation".
A manuscript of the NDC Manifesto says: "The NDC believes that governments must place the needs of the working people before the needs of those who already have more than they need."
It said that all efforts must be geared towards protecting and supporting the vulnerable, the disadvantaged, the marginalised and the have-nots in society.
The NDC Election 2008 Manifesto highlights said the youth in particular would be at the core of policy initiatives to restore hope, investing in them and creating sustainable opportunities that would be to their benefit.
It said this would fill the youth with a sense of belonging such that they would be committed to the 'Better Ghana' agenda not only for their benefit but also for the benefit of generations that would come after them.
The NDC said its next government would "measure its successes in the extent to which we shall be able to implement the policies contained in this Manifesto that will benefit the vast majority of Ghanaians by way of job creation and infrastructure expansion and the extent to which we will be able to provide Ghanaians with the needed social services".
It said the provision of security to Ghanaians, ensuring justice for all, making the laws of the land work without fear or favour, as well as a committed approach to ridding Ghana of the drug menace, would feature prominently on the NDC's agenda.
"The NDC seeks a majority from the electorate upon the basis of a coherent and definite programme and reaffirms its conviction that social democracy provides the best solution for the evils resulting from unregulated competition and the domination of vested interests."
The NDC said it focused on a growth path that would lead to building a "Better Ghana," in which all with potential would be able to prosper "with zest, zeal, commitment, vision and love for country."
The NDC says that its Election 2008 Manifesto has been created by Ghanaians from all walks of life and from across the regions when people interacted with Professor John Evans Atta Mills during the door-to-door tours.
According to the manuscript, "the policies and pledges contained are built upon the difficulties and challenges Ghanaians find most important.
The NDC Manifesto is dedicated to those who work and contribute to their families, businesses and communities, but are blocked from social and economic openings.
"It seeks to empower every Ghanaian to access the necessities of life in security and play a meaningful part in developing our country."
In apparent reference to its eight-year rule from 1993 to 2000, the statement said the party did its utmost to reconstruct the nation's foundation and build on such a foundation.
"The opportunity beckons once again for the NDC to seize the moment that a sure victory in this year's election will bring to nation and Ghanaians back on its reconstructive path towards building “a Better Ghana”.
The NDC statement said Ghanaians deserved "a Better Ghana", as the current rulers (NPP) had failed the nation especially in the areas of the economy, employment, the environment, health, education — the utilities failure being the best mark that can be given to the NPP government.