Mills' 100-day promises: Money in pocket, improved security et al
Ghanaians wait anxiously for the fulfillment of the promises the NDC gave Ghanaians during the heated 2008 elections campaigns.
Prior to what passed as a tough cliff-hanger election and the ushering of the country into another administration, the Mills' campaign team and party signed a social contract with Ghanaians, spelt out in the party's manifesto.
The manifesto presented a set of tasks to be executed within the first 100-days of the administration of Ghana's first professor president, John Evans Atta Mills.
Although the administration has spent less than 36 hours in office, government sources say the promises are not a mirage but part of the President's major policy alternatives.
At least, six policy reforms are expected to be executed in the first 100 days of the Mills' administration.
In his inaugural speech President Mills reiterated his commitment to guarantee the safety of Ghanaians from armed robbery and violent attacks in the neighbourhoods.
“No Ghanaian should live in fear of armed robbery. Many of our people cannot move around for fear that somebody would attack them. Improvement in internal security will therefore be one of our top priorities,” he said.
What remains to be seen is how Prof. Mills will resource and streamline the security agencies to embark on this agenda.
The manifesto promise to put money in the pockets of Ghanaians also stood high. The President, in keeping with this promise, intends to secure several legislations on tax reliefs for Ghanaians.
The governing party has also promised “bold and comprehensive measures in dealing with the appalling filth in some parts of the country and proper waste management systems and practices.”
The mayor of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), Adjiri Blankson, could not fulfill his promise to rid the city of filth within 100 days. The Mills administration is anxiously being observed.
In securing a lean government, the Mills' administration also intends to rationalize ministries and state departments.
Already, there are indications the Parliamentary Affairs Ministry which became a preserve of the Majority Leader in Parliament could be dropped.
Political scientist Kwesi Amakye rather recommends such a ministry would function better for a parliamentary system of government; unlike Ghana's for which the constitution adequately separates the legislature from the executive arm.
“We're going to prune down the number of ministries to such a lean number,” Majority Leader Alban Bagbin said on Thursday.
The Mills' administration also promised to cut down on what it called the “ostentatious and profligate expenditure.”
Again the promise to promote service, humility and integrity is still part of the pack but it may be too soon to expect signs.
Ensuring prompt and effective implementation of the disability Act 715 from the year 2006 and the 2006 Whistle Blowers Act 720. The administration also intends to review and reconstitute the membership of commissions and boards on the basis of expertise and competence.
At the centre of these promises, however, is the expectation of Ghanaians to have improved standards of living.
The government therefore has one option of engaging in the delicate balancing act of dealing with the challenges and meeting the expectations of the people at the same time.