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A LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT; ‘DELIVERING ON THE FOURTH GEAR PROMISES’.

Feature Article A LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT; DELIVERING ON THE FOURTH GEAR PROMISES.
JAN 15, 2014 LISTEN

The President of Ghana John Dramani Mahama in October 2013 said to his critics that, they should be patient with his government because his government is using 'first gear'. He said, my better Ghana bus is just on first gear and urged Ghanaians to watch out for fourth gear in 2014. Its quite unfortunate though, a man who has risen through the political ladder to become the first man now tells us that, his government is on first gear in his first year in office. Well, the obvious reason most Ghanaians give for the president's performance is the election petition hearing which lasted for about eight months.

To the president's statement, for any car to enjoy to enjoy the speed that comes with fourth gear, the engine, tyres, gear box, fan belt etc must be in good condition. Ghanaians are aware of the looming ministerial reshuffle early next year but we are interested in the capabilities of the team that will handle our affairs in the coming year. Ghanaians are tired of 'copy and paste' style of leadership. We need leaders who are creative and innovative even though working to achieve the better Ghana agenda. There is a provision in our constitution that enables most of our ministers to be chosen from parliament and with increase in the number of parliamentarians, fresh brains can be tapped from the legislative instrument of government.

I kindly urge President John Mahama fix new spare parts into the car in order to enjoy the speed that comes with the fourth gear because some of the parts are 'worn out'. The president should not limit himself in choosing ministers and government appointees, he should appoint competent men and women with integrity from academia, civil society organizations, diaspora and if possible from other political parties. Ghana needs leaders who are hardworking, results-oriented and have the nation at heart and not their 'stomach'. One of the tenants of good governance is participation thus Ghanaians must be interested in how the nation is governed so as to make their contribution in making our nation a better one.

My country Ghana has a lot of natural resources including black gold but we need competent human resource to turn our fortunes around. All the developed nations have developed on the wings of strong leadership. It is said, everything rises and falls on leadership. In 2014, the leadership must allow the system and its institutions to work so us to achieve development. Again, scandals in government has a negative effect on achieving goals set by the administration. I was happy when I heard the president launched a code of conduct for his ministers and appointees but that is not enough. The code of conduct must apply to all without fear or favour.

On the issue of choosing ministers, I commend the president for including young men and women in his government. Let me hasten to add that, young ministers must deliver when appointed so that they do not block the chance of other young ones who want to serve this great nation. Young ministers must not be intimidated by the older colleagues but must be willing to learn and also pump in fresh twenty-first ideas into governance and leadership.

President John Mahama in delivering on his fourth gear promises must 'block the loopholes'. The 2012 auditor's report reviewed that, actual expenditure of some ministries, departments and agencies was in excess of what was approved in the 2012 budget by GH 1.23 million. At the end of the day, those who caused these overspending go scot free at the expense of the poor tax payer. President Mahama must be committed to stopping overspending in government institutions and those who flout the rules must be punished. As it stands, there is a lot of rot in the Ghanaian economy. Millions of cedis end up people's pocket which are meant to be in the national purse. It is quite frustrating the nation we live in, just a few people own resources because of their affiliation to the corridor of power.

Mr. President, you must set realistic targets for your ministers and appointees so that, they can be assessed periodically. Again, the various ministers must set targets for the heads of departments and agencies to urge them to be results oriented in order to deliver on the fourth gear promises. Consequently, the government must work very hard to distribute the national cake fairly in order to repose confidence in the administration.

Indeed, Ghana has gotten to the cross road whereby we need to take our destiny in our own hands. We must rally behind the leadership of this country and also be optimistic that, this nation will be better for all of us. I hereby call on all Ghanaians especially the middle class to participate fully in governance and leadership to make this nation a better one. I have confidence that in 2014, the president will step up his game to deliver on his fourth gear promises. Long live Ghana…..

AMOAH- DARKWAH EMMANUEL (ACE)
INTEGRITY AMBASSADOR
[email protected]
0245-683297

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