We Are the Grassroots A Call to Action

On Sunday, October 6th, 2024, the Jubilee Park in Kumasi became the epicenter of political energy as Lawyer Charles Owusu Juanah, an internationally acclaimed lawyer and Patron of Friends of Bawumia 08, delivered a potent and inspiring address at the Ashanti Region Identifiable Groups Launch. Themed “We Are the Grassroots,". The event provided a platform for the highly respected advocate of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to re-energize and retool the base of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as the 2024 elections approachhellip;

In his role as Chairman and Guest Speaker, Lawyer Juanah’s opening remarks set the tone for a vibrant and insightful program. True to his style, he captivated the audience with his insightful commentary on the political landscape, urging the grassroots to recognize their role as the backbone of the NPP and to take the 2024 elections as a crucial turning point for the nation. He emphasized the need to “Retool and Re-energize the base,” a message that resonated deeply with the attendeeshellip;

Exposing the NDC's Track Record

With precision and clarity, Lawyer Juanah delved into the history of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), unmasking their continuous pattern of deception and economic mismanagement. Tracing the party’s roots, he remarked, “The NDC started right from AFRC, which later became PNDC, and now the NDC. They are the same people. Nothing has changed.” His words echoed the long-standing sentiment that the NDC, through its various incarnations, has employed misleading tactics to gain power while ultimately leaving Ghanaians in economic despairhellip;

Lawyer Juanah was unrelenting in his critique of the NDC’s tactics, highlighting their 2008 election tactic of “lying their way into government” and then admitting to Parliament’s vetting committee that many of their campaign messages were false. He went on to explain how the NDC’s mismanagement of the economy, dating back to the days of AFRC and PNDC, resulted in the selling of state assets, leading to the collapse of key enterprises and rising unemploymenthellip;

“During the leadership of Jerry Rawlings, Ghanaians faced countless social problems,” Juanah continued. He outlined the failures of the NDC government, which subjected Ghanaians to the cash-and-carry health system, high maternal mortality rates, and inadequate access to basic education. In contrast, when the NPP’s John Agyekum Kufuor took over in 2001, he introduced countless social interventions that transformed lives across the countryhellip;

The Legacy of NPP under John Kufuor

Lawyer Juanah highlighted the life-changing impact of the NPP’s governance under John Kufuor, noting the introduction of social programs such as:

1. National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS): Replacing the cash-and-carry system, NHIS made healthcare affordable and accessible.
2. School Feeding Program: Providing daily meals to schoolchildren, improving school attendance, and combating malnutrition.
3. Free Maternal Care: Reducing maternal mortality by making childbirth safer and more accessible.
4. Capitation Grant: Making primary education free and compulsory, increasing school enrollment rates.

Kufuor’s governance didn’t just solve problems; it laid a solid foundation for the nation’s progress, Lawyer Juanah asserted, emphasizing that Kufuor left office in 2008 with the discovery of crude oil in commercial quantities, a monumental achievement. Yet, despite these opportunities, the NDC under John Atta Mills and John Dramani Mahama squandered the resources and social interventions, leading to widespread economic hardship.

The NDC’s Economic Mismanagement

Lawyer Juanah didn’t hold back in addressing the dire consequences of John Mahama’s leadership. “John Mahama subjected Ghanaians to ‘dumsor,’ leaving businesses to collapse due to the lack of power. His administration mismanaged the economy, despite having the benefit of crude oil in commercial quantities,” he said. He reminded the crowd that Mahama himself admitted to leaving the economy in a “bonny” state, yet still believes Ghanaians will forget his failures.

“John Mahama was bold enough to tell Ghanaians that we have short memories,” Juanah exclaimed, challenging the grassroots to not let history repeat itself. He stressed that the NDC’s governance is a cycle of “creating, looting, and sharing” state resources, with Ghanaians bearing the brunt of their incompetencehellip;

NPP Nana Addo's Social Interventions and the Bawumia Vision

Shifting the focus to the NPP’s recent achievements, Lawyer Juanah lauded President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for their introduction of transformative social interventions, including:

1. Free Senior High School (SHS): Ensuring every Ghanaian child can access quality secondary education.
2. One District, One Factory (1D1F): Promoting industrialization and job creation across the country.
3. Planting for Food and Jobs: Boosting agricultural productivity and food security.
4. Nation Builders Corps (NABCO): Reducing youth unemployment by providing jobs for graduates.

These initiatives, Lawyer Juanah argued, have significantly eased the burdens on Ghanaians, proving that the NPP is the only party genuinely concerned with improving the lives of ordinary citizens. He confidently expressed that under the leadership of Dr. Bawumia, these gains will only multiply, with a continued focus on digitization, economic inclusivity, and sustainable developmenthellip;

A Call to Action for the Grassroots

In a rallying cry to the grassroots, Lawyer Juanah declared, “We cannot afford to joke with the 2024 elections as we did in 2008.” He urged the NPP base to recognize their vital role in the upcoming election, reminding them that they live and work in every corner of the country and speak the language of the people. “You are the managers of this campaign, this election is the soul of the country.” he charged, calling on them to spread the message of the NPP’s achievements and Dr. Bawumia’s vision for Ghanahellip;

Lawyer Juanah concluded by expressing his unshakable confidence in Dr. Bawumia’s manifesto, stating that it is the best choice for Ghana. “Bawumia’s policies will ensure equity for all citizens, regardless of economic status, gender, ethnicity, or location,” he assured the audience. With the right campaign messages and resources, he believes the grassroots will be empowered and become the driving force behind the NPP’s victoryhellip;

The Future is in Our Hands

Lawyer Charles Owusu Juanah’s address at the Identifiable Groups Launch was not just a speech; it was a call to action. His words resonated with the grassroots, inspiring them to take charge of the 2024 election campaign with renewed energy and conviction. The future of Ghana, he reminded them, depends on their dedication to the NPP’s cause and the continued legacy of transformative leadership under Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

“This election is the soul of this country,” Lawyer Juanah declared. “We must protect it.”

The Ashanti Region event concluded with a united resolve among the attendees to ensure victory for the NPP, as they left Jubilee Park inspired and determined to retool and re-energize the base for the battles aheadhellip;Hon. Kankam Twumasi Daniel Writes