The President’s transformational agenda for the country

It is becoming increasingly clear that Ghanaians cannot hope for a better life if efforts are not made in a bold, realistic manner to transform the country’s economy and lift people from poverty and propel them to a higher pedestal of development.

It is positive forms of socio-economic development that can bring about comprehensive and meaningful improvement with the aim of pushing up in a significant manner, the socio-economic conditions and welfare of the people in this country.

It is in the light of a desire to significantly improve lives that calls for a unique, people-centred strategic programme to transform all facets of economic life in this country. That is why it is gratifying and heart-warming to note that the President , Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has already envisaged a ten-point plan aimed at a total transformation of the country.

The ten-point transformation agenda is meant for total overhaul of what is being done wrong at the moment and refine it towards a faster development-oriented and economic growth meant to create more jobs for the teeming youth. The first initiative is accessibility to finance which is crucial for providing money towards economic activities meant to bring progress to Ghanaians.

The second initiative is the one-district, one-factory initiative which is also partly meant to ensure balanced growth in all parts of the country as far as maximisation of production of goods and services and employment opportunities are concerned. We need to maximise production in the districts and also ensure adequate employment for district dwellers so as to eliminate the problem of rural-urban drift in the country.

The third initiative is the establishment of strategic anchor industries meant to provide the output of goods and services needed to support certain vital industries in the districts and all parts of the country to promote a smooth sail for the attainment of economic progress and growth for everyone. If things move on well here, the problems of distressed industries will be a thing of the past and it is Ghanaians who will benefit from the President’s transformation agenda.

The fourth point discusses the establishment of industrial areas and special economic zones. The industrial areas will clearly demarcate places where industrial activities will be focused. At the same time, these areas will encourage special activities aimed at propelling the economy forward to greater heights. This is achievable and Ghanaians ought to provide total support for its realisation.

The promotion of small and medium enterprises is also crucial to the economic development of this country. In many great countries, it is the small and medium enterprises that hold the economy on its feet for the people. This explains why the fifth item on the agenda seeks to promote the development of small and medium enterprises.

The sixth item on the agenda is fighting for the establishment of industrial sub-contracting exchange which will undertake contracts from big companies and perform them on their behalf. Similarly, the seventh point seeks for export diversification so that the country will not put all its eggs in one basket. Diversification stands the chance of expanding our export earnings and, thereby, strengthening the economic pillars of the country.

While doing all these, we also need to enhance the domestic market retail trade and simultaneously fight hard to improve the business environment.

Finally, it is the President’s agenda to enhance public-private sector dialogue. The public sector cannot do it alone and, therefore, needs massive support from private operators.

The transformation of the economy cannot take place overnight. It requires a gradual process of a well-focused development-oriented strategic approach meant to bring total overhaul of the economy and transform it into an exuberant, dynamic well-performing economy comparable to enviable ones in different parts of the world.

The President’s transformation agenda is achievable, so we must all support it to bring the desired results!

The writer is Head of Public Relations, Ghana Standards Authority