Edward Mahama promises to half unemployment in 24 months
The presidential candidate of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Dr Edward Nasigre Mahama, has stated that a future PNC government will develop a National Energy Consumption Profile (NECP) and invest in emerging efficient renewable energy options such as solar, waste to energy (W2E), wind and ultra-efficient mini hydro.
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He opined that communities with lowest intensity energy consumption derived from the NECP would reduce the burden on the National Grid by shifting to efficient renewable energy options such as solar.
Dr Mahama spoke about a number of issues including corruption, procurement and his determination to half youth unemployment within 24 months.
IEA hosts PNC
Dr Mahama was the first flag bearer to be hosted by the IEA in its ‘Evening Encounter Series’ for the 2016 elections.
Next to follow is Mr Ivor Greenstreet, the flag bearer of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), who takes his turn at the Alisa Hotel at 5.30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 28, 2016.
The flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, will have his turn at the same venue and at the same time on Tuesday, July 5, 2016.
These encounters are precursors to the presidential and vice-presidential debates to be held later in August.
Sole platform
Dr Mahama was given a sole platform to present his vision for governing the country, after which he was cross-examined on the vision by the participants.
He disclosed that a Municipal Waste Generation Profile (MWGP) would be developed by the PNC, which would be used in building W2E plants in communities with excessive waste generation potential.
“This approach will improve upon the energy mix and promote development through green, reliable and affordable energy delivery,” he stated.
Dr Mahama said the drain on the economy, business, social services and national growth and development through energy deficit over the years could not be underestimated.
According to him companies had collapsed, jobs lost and the economy distressed because of lack of expertise in the management of the energy sector.
“The solution is not in knee-jerk power barges. Was the promise to Ghanaians four years ago an expensive and dubiously acquired power barge? Did you tell Ghanaians that you lack innovative ideas to solve the energy problem? The introduction of power barges is not just a knee-jerk approach but a lazy approach to kill Ghanaians with unbearable tariffs,” he asserted.
In his view, economic mismanagement by the two political parties for the past 24 years had only succeeded in reducing Ghana to the present state of hopelessness and despair economically, socially and morally.
Sourcing the Joint Monitoring Team (JMT) Report 2015, he said Ghana was currently the seventh dirtiest country in the world, and added that the country was among the most corrupt and wasteful in the world, indebted to about GH¢100 billion.
Corruption, unemployment
On corruption, he said between US$3 billion and US$4 billion was lost to the canker annually.
“We have also realised that much has been lost in the past five years through manipulation and violation of the Public Procurement Act (PPA) to offer undue advantages to kith and kin or cronies,” he said.
He also identified sole sourcing as the norm that is the beginning of the inappropriate manipulations, violations and corruption.
“We shall review the PPA and ensure transparency and strict compliance with the provisions of the act. The mode of appointment of management and staff of the Public Procurement Authority will be reviewed to ensure quality, neutrality, efficiency and incorruptibility,” he assured the gathering.
He further indicated that a PNC government “shall decouple the Office of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice; provide adequate resources from a dedicated fund for the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), among other anti-corruption agencies, so that they are able to deal swiftly and effectively with cases of corruption”.
Touching on employment and the youth, Dr Mahama said a PNC government would tackle unemployment, both from the demand and supply sides, adding: “We shall half youth unemployment within 24 months.”
“We will facilitate an inclusive economic development strategy that will incorporate the youth and other vulnerable groups such as the physically handicapped and challenged into the national transformation strategy,” he added.
IEA encounter
Consistent with its commitment to promote good governance in Ghana and ensure an issue-based campaign and election process, the IEA, a leading policy think-tank, is hosting the flag bearers of the political parties with parliamentary representation at the IEA 2016 Evening Encounter Series.
The institute envisages that these Evening Encounter Series will create a platform for the electorate to be better informed on all the options and proposals presented by the flag bearers of the participating political parties.
Last Thursday, the IEA inaugurated a 10-member Presidential Debate Committee (PDC), under the chairmanship of the former First Vice-President of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Prof. Akua Kuenyehia.
The committee was tasked to organise two presidential debates and another debate for running mates ahead of the November polls.
Inaugurating the committee, a Senior Fellow at the IEA, Prof. Atsu Ayee, indicated that the committee would be responsible for the overall conduct of the debates, including moderator and question selection.
He said the committee would also perform other duties related to the 2016 elections.
