Politicians asked to find common grounds in solving national issues

Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, flag bearer of the Convention’s Peoples Party (CPP), on Tuesday advised political parties to shun politics of division and embrace that of inclusion to find common grounds in solving national issues.

“Ghanaians are tired of divisive politics. I believe strongly in inclusiveness,” he said at the launch of the CPP’s manifesto in Accra.

“My experience as a CPP person in an NPP administration has given me the strength and the ability to reach out to other political party members to find common ground in solving national issues.”

The CPP manifesto has adopted a vision of urgency towards national development as the main thrust of its strategy for winning Election 2008.

The strategy focuses on the main thematic areas of the CPP election 2008 manifesto that prescribes the restoration and pursuance of the original vision of the party’s founders through economic, social and political transformation.

The 96-page manifesto launched under the theme: “New Dawn. New Vision”, spells out the views and intentions of the CPP, focusing on four broad developmental areas, namely, social policy, economic policy, responsive governance and international relations for accelerated economic prosperity.

Dr. Nduom said what Ghana needed to develop its economy was to harness the experience, expertise, work habits and financial strength of Ghanaians in the Diaspora to get the country out of its Third World status.

He said: “What will make a difference in Ghana and move us into the ranks of well performing countries is a sense of urgency and leadership obsessed with getting positive results quickly.

“I am convinced that I have an effective approach to government that would move us out of the Third World to the First World.

“We know the problems that confront us as a people. We know what we should do to grow our economy and develop the country.

“We need a leader who will focus on solving our problems and implementing ideas to free our people from poverty now….I believe I am that leader.”

Dr Nduom said his 10-point agenda for change, derived from the manifesto, would make it easier for voters to see the difference between the CPP and other political parties.

The agenda prescribes creating a disciplined society, improving the performance of government, giving power to the people for development, strengthening parliament to perform effectively, providing quality education for Ghanaian children, providing energy for industrialization and rapid development, better health care, aggressive attack of crime, corruption and drug trade, and creating jobs for the youth.

Dr Kwaku Osafo, Chairman of the Political Committee of the party, said the CPP was the “only party” that could restructure the economy, and called on Ghanaians to rally behind the CPP to ensure that the country was transformed from its present state.

Informed by the party’s ideology of Nkrumaism, whose three main principles are based on self-determination, social justice and pan-Africanism, the CPP manifesto also prescribes three short-term priority areas that the party would address – public safety, essential social services and job creation.

The CPP, as per the manifesto, intends to create an environment, where all Ghanaians have decent jobs to enable them to improve their lives, have access to modern, decent and affordable accommodation, create access to essential social services such as water, electricity and sanitation irrespective of income, improvements in public and community safety, free basic education up to the secondary school, and creating an attractive environment for both domestic and foreign investment to flourish.

The manifesto also seeks to combat infant mortality, eradicate malaria, and tackle HIV/AIDS, with everyone having free access to modern standards of healthcare regardless of means.

It document holds that science and technology should be the engine of growth and that innovation should be encouraged and rewarded.

The CPP also places the issue of continental unity at the centre of its foreign policy.
GNA