NDC will fix the economy after diagnosis -John Mahama

vice-president John Dramani Mahama

The vice-president John Dramani Mahama has declared that the ruling National Democratic Congress will deliver on its campaign promises and deliver a socially friendly economy and nation true to its socialist credentials.

Addressing jubilant party followers at the National Theatre in Accra during a lecture to mark the 17 years of the NDC, the vice president said the party has the human resource to fix the ailing national economy but is in the meantime diagnosing it to enable it prescribe appropriate remedies.

His comments were in reaction to a call by the New Patriotic Party 2008 presidential candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo for government to fix the challenged economy.

The vice-president lamented the extent of debt inherited by the present government which he said was impeding government's smooth take off.

According to him, the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) debt had more than tripled from, 3 trillion cedis in 2001 to 9.4 trillion cedis in 2009, as a result of misapplication of the TOR recovery levy collected by the previous government.

He said the national debt stock as well as road sector debts inherited by the NDC had increased in several folds but assured “we will fix it and in four years time, Ghanaians will have no choice than to retain the NDC in government.

“We shall live Ghana a much better form than we came to meet it.”

He said government will announce a huge policy statement which will spell out the way forward for the ailing economy.

On the raging fuel politics, the vice-president said government could no longer subsidise fuel prices, because of its rippling effects on the economy.

He said monies that would otherwise have gone into productive development ventures have had to be diverted into subsidizing fuel, which he said is not in the interest of the country.

He cautioned functionaries of government to eschew arrogance, dishonesty and corruption and see their appointment as a privilege and not a right.

John Mahama appealed for unity from the rank and file of the party.

The lecture was chaired by wife of former president Rawlings, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings and in attendance was Mr.Loius Ayala, Secretary General of the Socialist International and leading members of government.

Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline