President launches Braille version of NDC manifesto

By Edmund Mingle
President John Mahama yesterday, launched a Braille version of the ruling National Democratic Congress’ 2016 manifesto with a pledge to continue to cater for the needs of the disabled and ensure their active inclusion in development agenda.

It makes Ghana the second country in Africa, after South Africa, to introduce a Braille manifesto, which the party believes would enable the disabled to hold the government to account.

Three per cent of Ghana’s population are physically challenged, out of which 40 per cent are visually impaired.

President Mahama, who launched the distribution of motorised tricycles for the disabled across the country, in Accra yesterday said the two interventions were indicative of his administration’s commitment to the development and inclusion of the physically challenged in national development.

“Social protection has been and will remain an integral part of the broad development policy of the NDC,” he said.

He enumerated the various interventions undertaken by the government in support of the physically challenged, citing the increased allocation percentage from the District Assemblies Common Fund for the disabled, skills training for the disabled, employment of over 4,000 disabled through the Youth Employment Agency, free registration of the disabled onto the National Health Insurance Scheme, as well as support for special schools, as key successes the government would build on in its next term.

In addition the President said the new Ayalolo rapid transport buses were disability friendly, adding that a new Ghana Accessibility Standard regulation would soon be introduced to ensure that all building structures and public places were disability friendly.

Touching on the performance of the visually impaired Minister of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs, Dr Henry Seidu Daannaa, the President said he has been efficient and effective as any other cabinet minister, irrespective of his disability.

Dr. Daanaa’s inclusion in his ministerial team, he said, has made Cabinet more disability friendly, and urged Parliament to also get disability friendly in preparation to receive Dr. Daanaa who is also contesting the Wa East Parliamentary seat on the ticket of the NDC.

He assured the physically challenged of more support from the government indicating that, “Although we have done a lot, a lot remain to be done,” he said, adding that “we are clear on what has to be done and be promise to do it”.

As part of the launching copies of the Braille manifesto were handed over to the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisation for distribution to the various disability groups.

Declare cost of redenomination, President Mahama dares NPP

By Edmund Mingle

President John Mahama yesterday challenged the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) to disclose the cost of the Cedi redenomination exercise its government conducted in 2007.

According to the President, Ghanaians need to know the cost, wondering why it has been kept secret by the NPP.

“Even I as President do not know how much it cost the nation for the redenomination,” he said.

Addressing a mammoth rally at Darkuman in Accra as part of his second phase of his campaign tour of the Greater Accra Region, President Mahama accused the NPP of corruption in the conduct of the redenomination.

President Mahama addressing supporters at the rally
 at Darkuman in Accra

He particularly challenged NPP’s running mate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who was the Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana at the time of the redenomination, to disclose the cost if they have nothing to hide.

“At least my administration has been transparent and accountable in all projects we have undertaken, but the same cannot be said about the NPP government whose activities were shrouded in secrecy,” he said.

“They have failed to remove the log in their eyes, and rather want Ghanaians to think that we are corrupt by making false corruption allegations about our projects.

“They think Ghanaians have forgotten about their corrupt practices,” he said.

Responding to accusations of economic mismanagement leveled against his administration by the NPP flagbearer at the party’s manifesto launch last Sunday, President Mahama described it as an attempt to deceive Ghanaians.

“The NPP left us with a budget deficit of 19 per cent and we have reduced it to nearly five per cent.

“Who then should be accused of mismanagement?” he asked.

Touching on job creation, President said his administration’s high investment in infrastructure development, education, skills training and enterprise development intervention would result in jobs for the people.

“No President would line up Ghanaians and distribute monies to them,” he said, and cautioned the electorate to be suspicious of parties promising to supply monies.

He said the policy of his party is to provide infrastructure for businesses to thrive and also equip the youth with the requisite education and skills to enable them to secure job to earn incomes.

From Darkuman, the President moved to Fadama where he called on the National Chief Imam and Muslim elders, as well as addressed a large crowd of supporters.

Earlier he visited the Kaneshie Market where he interacted with the traders, promising them of plans to upgrade the market as well as various trade facilitation interventions such as small loans to enhance their work.

He also addressed a rally at Bubuashie where he urged the electorate to have faith in the competence of his administration to propel the rapid development of the country.