Advocating For A Better Future With Dr Mahamudu Bawumia Lawyer Charles Owusu Juanah Embark On Nationwide Campaign

Lawyer Charles Owusu Juanah, a renowned advocate for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Patron of Friends of Bawumia 08, has been on an intense campaign, enlightening voters about the stark differences between the track records of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) under Ghana’s Fourth Republic.

His mission is to empower voters with information to make an informed choice on December 7, 2024.

Last week, Lawyer Juanah toured the Eastern and Ashanti Regions, dissecting historical and contemporary political developments in Ghana.

His tactic combines historical insights, comparative analysis and policy advocacy, positioning Dr. Bawumia as the candidate to lead Ghana into a prosperous future.

Educating on History and Governance

On Wednesday, November 13, 2024, Lawyer Juanah appeared on Enigye FM in Adukrom, Okere Constituency, where he laid out the historical evolution of the NDC.

He explained how the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) under Jerry John Rawlings transformed into the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) and eventually the NDC.

He criticized the era’s mismanagement, emphasizing how State enterprises were sold to insiders, leading to widespread unemployment.

“These people sold state enterprises to themselves, friends, and families. These enterprises were mismanaged, and that was the beginning of unemployment in this country”, he stated.

He went on to compare the governance records of the NPP and NDC, highlighting the importance of investing in human capital.

“In nation-building, what helps a country to prosper is its human resource. All developed countries prioritize empowering their human resource through education and social interventions to decrease burdens on citizens”, he explained.

Contrasting Economic and Social Achievements

Lawyer Charles Owusu Juanah underscored the dire economic conditions left behind by Jerry Rawlings’ administration listing rampant poverty, lack of social interventions, and limited access to healthcare and education.

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor introduced several transformative social intervention policies during his tenure (2001-2009).

These policies as follows were aimed at addressing socio-economic obstacles and improving the welfare of Ghanaians:

1. National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS):
bull; Replaced the “cash-and-carry” system of healthcare.
bull; Allowed Ghanaians to access affordable and quality healthcare by paying a small premium.
2. Capitation Grant:
bull; Introduced to ensure free basic education for all Ghanaian children.
bull; Covered public primary and junior high schools, reducing financial burdens on parents.
3. School Feeding Program:
bull; Provided one nutritious meal per day to children in public schools.
bull; Aimed to improve school attendance, academic performance, and child nutrition.
4. Metro Mass Transit:
bull; Established to provide affordable and accessible transportation for Ghanaians.
bull; Focused on both urban and rural areas.
5. Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP):
bull; A cash transfer program targeting extremely poor households.
bull; Aimed to provide financial support to improve living standards.
6. Youth Employment Program:
bull; Created jobs for the youth, addressing unemployment through initiatives in agriculture, sanitation, and teaching.
7. Affordable Housing Project:
bull; Sought to provide housing for low and middle-income earners.
bull; Focused on urban areas to address housing deficits.
8. Ghana School-Based Deworming Program:
bull; Targeted the eradication of parasitic infections among school children, improving their health and academic outcomes.
9. Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) Initiative:
bull; Achieved debt relief under this initiative, redirecting resources to key development sectors like education, health, and infrastructure.

“These initiatives laid the foundation for Ghana’s socio-economic development, improving the quality of life for millions of citizens”, Lawyer Juanah emphasized.

During John Agyekum Kufuor’s presidency (2001–2009), several significant infrastructure and developmental projects were initiated, reflecting his vision to modernize Ghana and improve socio-economic conditions even though, he inherited a broken economy.

Some of the major projects he undertook are:

Infrastructure Development

1. Roads and Highways:
bull; Construction and rehabilitation of major highways, including the Accra-Kumasi Highway and portions of the George W. Bush Motorway.
bull; Expansion of road networks to connect rural and urban areas, fostering trade and mobility.
2. Energy Sector Projects:
bull; Initiated the West African Gas Pipeline Project to supply gas from Nigeria to Ghana for power generation.
bull; Expansion of power plants, including projects under the Volta River Authority (VRA), to stabilize energy supply.
3. Affordable Housing Projects:
bull; Launched affordable housing schemes in cities like Accra, Kumasi, and Tamale to address housing deficits.
4. Bui Dam Project:
bull; Initiated the construction of the Bui Hydroelectric Dam to boost energy generation and irrigation for agriculture.
5. Transportation:
bull; Introduced the Metro Mass Transit system to provide affordable and effective public transport.
bull; Modernization of key transport hubs, including the Kotoka International Airport.

Education and Health Facilities

6. Model Senior High Schools:
bull; Established model secondary schools in all regions to improve access to quality education.
7. Upgrading Teaching and Nursing Training Institutions:
bull; Expanded infrastructure for teacher and nursing training colleges to meet human resource needs.
8. Regional Hospitals and Clinics:
bull; Built regional hospitals, including the contemporary Tamale Teaching Hospital.
bull; Upgraded and equipped district hospitals to improve healthcare delivery.

Water and Sanitation

9. Water Expansion Projects:
bull; Expanded access to potable water through projects like the Kpong Water Supply Expansion.
bull; Launched initiatives to improve rural water systems under the Ghana Water organization.

10. Sanitation Improvements:
bull; Introduced waste management initiatives and constructed landfill sites to address urban sanitation issues.

Agriculture and Industry

11. Food and Agriculture Initiatives:
bull; Launched irrigation projects to support agriculture, particularly in the Northern Region.
bull; Introduced mechanization services to improve farming efficiency.

12. Private Sector Development:
bull; Supported initiatives to boost cocoa production, including the Mass Spraying Program.
bull; Facilitated the establishment of export-processing zones to attract investment.

13. Golden Jubilee Terminal:
bull; Constructed as part of Ghana’s efforts to boost tourism and trade.

Governance and Institutional Reforms

14. Judicial Infrastructure:
bull; Constructed contemporary court complexes to support the judiciary.
bull; Rehabilitated and built police stations to enhance security.

“These projects, alongside his social intervention policies, positioned Ghana on a growth trajectory and laid a foundation for future development”, Lawyer Juanah stated.

In contrast, under the leadership of John Evans Atta Mills (2009–2012) and John Dramani Mahama (2012–2017), Ghana faced significant economic obstacles that had far-reaching consequences for the country and its citizens.

These obstacles included the following:

Economic obstacles

1. High Fiscal Deficit:
bull; Ghana recorded persistent budget deficits, which exceeded 10% of GDP in some years. This was fueled by overspending, especially on public sector wages and subsidies.
2. Public Debt Accumulation:
bull; Public debt increased significantly under Mahama, rising from about 36% of GDP in 2012 to over 70% by 2016. This led to a debt distress situation, limiting fiscal space for development.
3. Inflation and Currency Depreciation:
bull; Inflation rates were high, reaching over 17% by 2016, reducing the purchasing power of ordinary Ghanaians.
bull; The Ghanaian cedi experienced rapid depreciation against major currencies, making imports more expensive and driving up the cost of living.
4. Energy Crisis (“Dumsor”):
bull; A prolonged power crisis crippled businesses and households. The erratic electricity supply, dubbed dumsor (meaning “off-and-on”), caused job losses, reduced productivity, and increased operational costs for businesses.
5. Declining Economic Growth:
bull; Economic growth slowed significantly from an average of 8-9% in the early 2010s to around 3.7% in 2016, despite the inflow of oil revenue.
6. High Unemployment:
bull; Youth unemployment worsened as industries struggled, and job creation programs were limited in scope and effectiveness.
7. Corruption and Mismanagement:
bull; Allegations of corruption and mismanagement plagued projects and programs, including the GYEEDA (Youth Employment Agency) and SADA (Savannah Accelerated Development Authority) scandals, eroding public trust in governance.
8. IMF Bailout:
bull; The government sought a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 2015 to stabilize the economy. The conditionalities, including expenditure cuts, affected public sector employment and social spending.

Effects on Ghanaians

1. Increased Cost of Living:
bull; Rising prices of goods and services, coupled with stagnant wages, placed immense financial pressure on households.
2. Job Losses and Economic Hardship:
bull; The energy crisis caused many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to close, leading to widespread unemployment.
3. Reduced Public Services:
bull; Budgetary constraints limited government investment in infrastructure, education, and healthcare, affecting service delivery.
4. Business obstacles:
bull; Businesses faced higher operating costs due to unreliable electricity and currency instability, making Ghana less competitive.
5. Social Unrest:
bull; Economic hardship and lack of opportunities led to protests and dissatisfaction among the population.

Comparison to NPP Governance

Lawyer Juanah argue that these economic obstacles contrasted sharply with the NPP’s handling of the economy under John Kufuor and later Nana Akufo-Addo, which emphasized social interventions, fiscal discipline, and infrastructure development.

Despite inheriting oil wealth, the NDC administration’s policies were seen as less impactful in improving the lives of Ghanaians.

Advocating for Dr. Bawumia’s Leadership

Lawyer Juanah passionately advocated for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as the best candidate to sustain and expand the achievements of the NPP. He pointed to ongoing projects initiated under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo that require continuity, such as:

bull; Pokuase and Tema Interchanges: Reducing traffic congestion and improving transport efficiency.
bull; Free SHS Program: Enhancing access to secondary education.
bull; Agenda 111 Hospitals: Expanding healthcare infrastructure.

He also highlighted Dr. Bawumia’s 2024 manifesto, which includes transformative policies like:

bull; National Digital Platform for Agriculture: Empowering farmers with market access.
bull; Universal Childcare Program: Supporting working parents.
bull; Affordable Housing Projects: Tackling the housing deficit.

“These policies will bring economic growth, decrease unemployment, and uplift the lives of ordinary Ghanaians”, he said.

Grassroots Engagement and Youth Mobilization

Lawyer Juanah’s campaign extended to grassroots training and youth mobilization. At Nkurakan in the Yilo Krobo Constituency, he joined a Polling Agents Training Workshop, motivating agents to remain dedicated to securing victory for the NPP.

In the Ashanti Region, his interviews on Silver FM and Ezra TV focused on the comparative analysis of NPP and NDC governance, reiterating his call for massive support for Dr. Bawumia.

He also rallied grassroots supporters in Juaben Constituency and inspired the youth at the launch of the Kubease Youth Wing.

“This election is for the soul of the country. The youth should take charge and lead the way”, he urged.

A Call to Action

As his campaign continues, Lawyer Charles Owusu Juanah’s message remains consistent - a vote for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is a vote for progress, social interventions, and economic transformation.

His comparative analysis, historical insights, and policy advocacy are equipping voters with the information to make a decisive choice for Ghana’s future on December 7, 2024.

“Let us choose the path of progress and prosperity. Dr. Bawumia is the candidate who will take Ghana into a brighter future”, he concluded.Michael Akrofi/Peace FM Correspondent