President Akufo-Addo
The Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has said that the promises made by the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) in its 2020 manifesto are feasible policies that meet the needs and aspirations of Ghanaians.
According to the Minister, the policies being implemented by the Akufo-Addo government have proven to be life-changing, and that the same will be the outcome of the policies to be implemented by his next government, after 2020.
“The NPP as a political party believes that governance is not just about power, so we make blanket statement to deceive Ghanaians or statement that we do not believe is achievable just for political expediency. We believe that when given the mandate, we will use it to put the country in a better economic position so that majority of Ghanaians can benefit from it,” he noted.
According to the Minister, the NPP takes promises made in its manifesto serious and, thus, will not say anything just to deceive Ghanaians.
“One of the important things we consider in drafting our manifesto promises is a broad based approach to improving the lives of Ghanaians while narrowing down to how specific manifesto promises can elevate the average Ghanaian from poverty,” he said.
Historic
Speaking on Accra based Asempa FM yesterday, the Minister noted that the NPP’s 2020 manifesto is a historic one, different from its previous manifestos, explaining that this one accounts for the party’s 2016 promises and goes on to outline how the next administration seeks to further improve the economic situation of the average Ghanaian.
“One of the major differences of our 2020 manifesto, from our previous manifestos, particularly our 2016, 2008 and 2004 manifestos, is that this very one is a record for history. This is because since we assumed office some four years ago, we have been able to account for all our manifesto promises as an administration, point by point.
“All the promises we made back in 2016 and what we have done about these promises are accounted for in our 2020 manifesto. So, for example, in our 2016 manifesto we promised to restore macro stability. In our 2020 manifesto, we have detailed how the administration has in the past years achieved this,” he added.
Rent loans hailed
Meanwhile, some citizens have welcomed the proposal by the government to cushion citizens to rent decent accommodation through a loan scheme.
They are particularly happy that when the proposed arrangement comes into effect, they would no longer have to pay huge sums of money as rent charges at a go, with their accompanying rippling effects on their finances and lives.
The next Akufo-Addo government intends to invest GHC100million into the establishment of a National Rental Assistance Scheme (NRAS) to deal with renting challenges on the part of low-income class in the country.
The scheme, which will be in partnership with the private sector, will offer eligible Ghanaians low interest loans to enable them pay their rent in advance.
These loans will be repaid on a monthly basis to match the tenor of the rent, and will be insured to ensure sustainability.
According to the NPP’s 2020 manifesto, the scheme will target individuals, both in the formal and informal sectors of the economy, with identifiable and regular income.
“The rent advance loans will be paid directly into the bank accounts of landlords, who would have to register with the Scheme,” it says.
Tertiary students’ loans
Another area of interest to some Ghanaians interviewed is the manifesto promise to eliminate the guarantor system in the current students’ loans scheme. This is because a lot of people are hesitant in guaranteeing for potential beneficiaries due to the possibility of failure to repay the loan.
According to the NPP’s manifesto, all tertiary students, except those in teacher and nursing training institutions, will be able to secure loans without a guarantor in the next Akufo-Addo government.
Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia explained during the manifesto launch that the beneficiaries will only need their Ghana Cards which will enable them to apply for loans to fund their education.
“Once you complete the tertiary education, repayment will be deferred till after your National Service where you will be given one year to pay up,” he stated.
Source: Daily Statesman
