Press Conference Addressed By The National Coordinator Of Patriotic Ambassadors For Peace (Pap), Katakyie Kwame Opoku Agyemang On "Consolidating The Gains Towards Victory 2020 - The Role Of NPP Volunteer Groups"

Date: 8th January, 2018
Venue: Jobyco Hotel, Accra
INTRODUCTION
Good morning, Ladies and Gentlemen and Members of the Press. Permit me to wish you all, a Prosperous New Year and also, a Happy One Year Anniversary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration. Let me extend PAP's gratitude to all PAPers for the diverse roles played towards our Party's overwhelming victory over the inept National Democratic Congress (NDC) last year. PAP is particularly thankful to the first granddaughter of the late Chief SD Dombo, Mrs Irene Ponu-Brenyah for her financial and material sacrifices towards 'Victory 2016', not forgetting such personalities like Sammi Awuku, the National Youth Organiser of our great party, Ing. Emmanuel Obeng-Atuah, Hon. Clement Eledi, Nana Obiri, Mr. Michael Amoh, Alhaji Adams Mohammed, Derick Kwaku Nkansah, Kwadwo Opoku Adomako, Andy Oppong Amoako, Akora, Tracy Ogede Dombo, Augustine Manu, and all PAPers whose names cannot be readily recalled.

PAP is again appreciative of our six selected NPP Parliamentary Candidates for 'Election 2016' and their constituents for their cooperation throughout the campaign period. The media and more importantly, the hundreds and thousands of party sympathizers and floating voters who listened to our message of change and actually voted for our beloved Party in 2016.

Fellow Kukrudites, you would recall that a number of Volunteer Groups sprung up during the campaign period to work for the Party. This informed the NPP Leadership to assign Mr. Andrews Kwasi Frimpong as the National Volunteer Coordinator to streamline the activities of the various volunteer groups and report to the 2016 NPP National Campaign Team. I am happy to say that, Patriotic Ambassadors for Peace (PAP) was one of such vibrant volunteer groups.

BACKGROUND OF PAP
On Saturday, November 7, 2015, PAP was officially inaugurated in Kumasi, where 200 participants from all parts of the country graced the occasion. At the inauguration, PAP set the objective of ensuring peace within the NPP and canvassing for votes for Nana Akufo-Addo and selected NPP Parliamentary Candidates. The modus operandi was to embark on series of outreaches, do voter education to reduce spoilt ballots, make donations from our own resources, issue press statements and more importantly, involving ourselves in the activities of the potential voters. Following the inauguration, PAP paid an official visit to the then Flag-bearer of the NPP, Nana Akufo-Addo at his office in Accra on February 3, 2016. Nana encouraged us to work hard for victory since we were going to be the direct beneficiaries of his administration should he be given the mandate. He later directed us to work closely with the V'16 Coordinator, Mr. Andrews Kwasi Frimpong. Admittedly, as a Political Volunteer Group with many unemployed members, there were a number of challenges with regard to logistics and funding to achieve our set objectives, but this did not deter the Group from carrying out its activities. The members were focused, disciplined and patriotic and as a result, collectively helped in achieving the following:

ACHIEVEMENTS OF PAP
In all, we worked with six Parliamentary Candidates and spent three days each in the orphan constituencies that we embarked on the outreaches. They were Suleman Sanid of Ahafo-Ano North Constituency (Tepa) of Ashanti Region (now an MP), Alhaji Habib Saad of Ngleshie-Amanfrom-Bortianor Constituency (now an MP), Sylvester Tetteh of Ningo-Prampram, and Solomon Tetteh Appiah of Kpone-Katamanso Constituency - all in the Greater Accra Region. Others were the late Isaac Kwame Adika and Malon Anipah of Ho-West and Hohoe Constituencies respectively - all in the Volta Region. Notwithstanding the 3-day outreaches in the afore-mentioned constituencies, PAP made several donations to other NPP Parliamentary Candidates. These included a brand new motorbike and 1000 posters of Nana Akufo-Addo and NPP PC for Jirapa, Jesse Sung Kpetia; and a 1000 posters of Nana Akufo-Addo and NPP PC for Ellembelle, Bonzoh Kwasi. PAP also facilitated the shipment of 106 boxes of Campaign items from London to Bole-Bamboi NPP PC, Alele Veronica Heming; two (2) bicycles to the NPP Dabala Office; seventy-five (75) NPP T-shirts to PC, Hon. Adika to aid his Health Walk programme on 27/08/16. It is instructive to note that, PAP again donated sets of Computers, reading books, bags of rice, cooking oil, pampers, wipes, portable megaphones, footballs, used clothings and mosquito nets to Ningo-Prampram, Bekwai, Hohoe, Weija-Gbawe Constituency Offices of the NPP at different times. We further realised that, our PCs needed some cash for the election day activities. Hence, PAP organised a Fundraising Dinner in Accra on 26th November, 2016 not only to show appreciation and award our sponsors, but also to raise funds for the PCs. After the event, we made cash donations of GHC2000, GHC1500, GHC1000, GHC1000 (totalling GHC5,500) to the NPP PCs for Ningo-Prampram, Ngleshie-Amanfrom, Ahafo-Ano North, and Jirapa respectively.

OTHER ACTIVITIES
Aside the series of outreaches, clean-up exercises, sensitization programmes and material donations, PAPers involved themselves in the limited voter registration exercise by acting as guarantors, polling agents, campaigners, and monitors. We also propagated the NPP's message of "Change - an Agenda for Jobs" through press releases and on the mass and social media, that is, on TV, radio, Internet, newspapers, Facebook. We participated in social and traditional functions like funerals, religious worships, health walks, fundraising activities of some churches, NPP organised demonstrations and functions, and acted as Party Agents and Monitors on the election day.

From the forgoing, it is obvious PAPers took the December 2016 elections with all the seriousness that it deserved. No wonder victory became ours in both the Presidential and Parliamentary elections as a Party.

PAP's ASSESSMENT OF NPP's ONE YEAR PERFORMANCE

We have spent a year out of the 4-year mandate given us by the good people of Ghana. And in line with the President's clarion call for patriotic Ghanaians to be citizens and not spectators, PAP deems it fit to use this opportunity to share our views on the performance of the administration and to offer suggestions, a process that will be an annual affair. We are doing this because in trying to convince voters to vote for the NPP during our outreaches last year, we promised to give the people a feedback and keep them updated with regard to the promises and actual performance of the government. This would go a long way in reducing the hassle we went through in the previous elections, thus making the 2020 general elections, an easier one for us.

FREE SHS
Fellow Asonomma, you would all agree with me that, Free SHS, unemployment, with its attendant problem of poverty and hardship, power outages (popularly known as dumsor) and corruption featured prominently in the 2016 general elections. Many potential voters were looking for a change of political leadership to fix the economy and make Ghana better. Honestly, some of us never anticipated that, the free SHS would start within the first year of the NPP administration. But, thankfully, through the able leadership of the Minister of Education, Hon. Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh, the most poo-poohed policy of the century, the free SHS concept has been implemented and over 100,000 pupils who would have otherwise been on the street selling dog chains are now being given skills and knowledge in our classrooms. The 3-year salary arrears of Ghanaian teachers, debts to capitation, GETfund, scholarship secretariat, health insurance, school feeding, Books and Research allowances of lecturers, etc, have all been cleared. Trainee teachers' and nurses' allowances, which former president Mahama said he would prefer to lose the election to paying the allowances have been restored in a grand style. This is a great beginning for a young government.

UNEMPLOYMENT
PAP has also taken cognizance of the fact that, His Excellency, Nana Akufo-Addo is tackling the issue of unemployment head-on. A sizeable number of Party executives have been appointed into positions of trust. The 1-Ditrict-1-Factory policy has successfully taken off with the historic launch at Ekumfi in the Central Region. The Planting for Food and Jobs policy is on course as currently, 10,000 youth have been engaged. Similarly, over 22,000 teaching and non-teaching staff and 16,000 nurses are being employed to fill the gaps in our educational and health institutions; and all the security services - Police, Immigration, Armed Forces, Fire and Prisons have started their recruitment exercises. The 100 million dollar package to fund the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Plan (NEIP), the setting up of Nation Builders' Corps at the presidency, where over 100,000 jobs are going to be created for jobless university graduates cannot be said to have come at the wrong time. The Youth Employment Agency, under Lawyer Justin Koduah Frimpong, has employed 15,000 youth in Ghana. There are a few who believe that their livelihood has been affected by the ban on 'galamsey', but we commend you, Mr President, for your swift intervention to protect the environment and save lives.

POWER OUTAGES
The negative effect of power outages is still fresh in our minds. Although, Ghana boasts of having the largest artificial lake in the world, with its hydro-electric power, the country was plunged into darkness for eight solid years. That was the pinnacle at which a mixture of mediocrity and corruption that characterised the NDC administration reached. Today, under the NPP administration, "dumsor, dumsor" has been replaced with "sorsor, sorsor, sorsor". Mr. President, we thank you for choosing the best team to solve this particular major problem. You have indeed demonstrated that, management of an economy doesn't lie in one's ability to dance to "Onaapo" song or do "No Abaabats3" and Usain Bolt's victory sign, but how a leader can strike a balance between our natural resources and the human capital to make life bearable for the citizenry.

CORRUPTION
On corruption, many of us were sceptical about the delay in prosecuting many corrupt cases in the previous administration such as the GYEEDA, SUBAH, GRA, Brazil '14, Woyome, Bus Branding, and SADA scandals. However, your constant assurances that, every penny stolen by any Ghanaian would be retrieved in your tenure of office gave us some comfort.

The recent passing of important bills, including that of the Special Prosecutor and the timely manner in which you assented to them have cleared our doubts. Also, the implementation of a paperless technology at the nation’s ports, the national digital property addressing system and the attempt to issue National Identification Cards to Ghanaians show your resolve not only to make corruption an expensive commodity to buy, but also to make Ghana, a better place to live. We are looking forward to the day when a corrupt politician would be put behind bars legally under your administration.

NANA AS A UNIFIER
Again, contrary to what the opposition NDC propagated, His Excellency, President Akufo-Addo has proven to be a great unifier, religious and democratic person. He continues to deepen our democratic culture and this was manifested in the engagement he had with former presidents, and leaders of various political parties. Yesterday, at the Independence Square in Accra, an inter-faith service was held to commemorate the silver jubilee of the 4th Republic. All those who witnessed the event would testify that, 'The Battle is the Lords' indeed.

RECOMMENDATIONS
For us as members of PAP, we are very much satisfied with the government's performance and wish to commend the President for living up to the legitimate expectation of the electorate within this short period. But, whilst expressing our satisfaction for this great feat, we would like to make a few recommendations to His Excellency, Nana Akufo-Addo as regards some sentiments being expressed by members of NPP Volunteer Groups and the people who voted for our great Party in the last elections.

1. That, volunteering is key to electoral victory therefore the position of a National Volunteer Coordinator with a clearly-defined role be incorporated in future NPP Constitutional amendments. This would ease mobilisation and help streamline activities of all volunteer groups for the benefit of the Party.

2. That, despite the successes chalked in the past year, the cost of living among the ordinary Ghanaian is still high. Pragmatic measures must therefore be put in place to reduce significantly the high utility tariffs, transport fares, fuel, rent, health, among others. Remember, these would be the yardstick with which the electorates would use to measure NPP's achievements in three years' time. Ghanaians are fed up with economic figures that do not reflect in their pockets or reduce their economic hardships.

3. That, leaders of the Volunteer Groups be summoned without any further delay, for proper engagement with regard to the equitable distribution of political appointments and governance. This would avoid any future occurrence of "Delta Forceism" or vigilantism.

4. That, the welfare of the volunteers who risked their jobs and lives in the hinterlands, left their families for weeks and months, contributed financially in spite of the harsh economy, be given their fair share of the national cake, especially job intake. This would sustain their interest in the Party and make mobilisation for future task easier.

5. That, the appointing authorities should expedite action on the appointment of Managers and Coordinators of government agencies and departments at the Municipal and District levels such as NADMO, MASLOC, Non-formal Education, among others. This would convince party supporters that, our Party is in power.

6. That, the needs of the vulnerable people - children, women, physically and mentally-challenged should be given priority attention since these people have been neglected for far too long.

7. That, extra care should be taken with regard to the imposition of some "nuisance taxes" on the already over-burdened Ghanaian - tow levy, TV license. Until Ghanaians see a moderate lifestyles of our politicians, improvement in our hospitals, schools, roads, and sanitation, any attempt to over-tax the citizens would make our Party unpopular.

8. That, all government appointees - Ministers of State, CEOs, Board Members, etc must be measured in their utterances, especially when dealing with the media, humble themselves and support party people. They must know that they represent a President who is humble, hard working and has his party and country at heart.

9. That, from all indications, the corruption allegation equalization by the NDC would continue unabated. All Party members should therefore be wary of the propaganda and never do anything to tarnish the image of the most incorruptible leader of our time.

10. That, the sale of forms by public institutions - universities, security services, etc, for admissions and recruitment should be looked into. Potential students and recruits are being exploited and such monies are not being accounted for.

CONCLUSION
The 8-year cycle of NPP-NDC leadership that has characterised the 4th Republic must be broken and we believe that, the breaking of that record in 2024 should emanate from a well-organised and democratic party such as the New Patriotic Party. On this note, it is the prayer of PAP that, we conduct ourselves well in the upcoming internal elections by ensuring transparency and professionalism in our campaigns. The era of personal attacks on candidates should be a thing of the past. We in PAP have the strongest conviction that, when the above recommendations are fully implemented, the NPP's potential challenges in Election 2020 would be significantly minimized and this will no doubt lead us into another historic victory. For PAPers, we've worked hard, done our best, and we leave the rest to Almighty God and the Party leadership.

Long Live NPP!
Long Live PAP!!
Long Live Mother Ghana!!!
Katakyie Kwame Opoku Agyemang - National Coordinator (0202471070)

Irene Ponu-Brenyah - Chairperson - Policy Think Tank (1st Granddaughter of SD Dombo)

Andrew Oppong Amoako - Director of Operations (0243662912)

Doreen Maluzei Dombo - Director of Media Affairs