Bernard Mornah launches bid to lead PNC for Dec. 7 polls
A leading member of the People's National Convention (PNC), Bernard Mornah, last Wednesday launched his bid to lead the party in the 2024 presidential election.
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Mr Mornah, who was the party's presidential candidate for the 2016 election, said his vision was to "create a Ghana where everyone, including the youth and women can achieve their full potential."
"I aim to provide decent work opportunities, both in private and public sectors, and ensure that Ghanaians do not feel the need to seek opportunities abroad," he said.
New direction
Mr Mornah, wearing a white kaftan adorned with PNC colours, told the media that he had a new direction for the country. "The Bernard Mornah leadership offers a new, necessary direction for our country and my commitment to honesty, discipline and excellence has shaped my political and personal life," he said.
He recounted the various leadership roles he had held in the party, including being the national youth organiser and general secretary. Addressing the current state of the country, he said many first-time voters were disillusioned with the current leadership, which he said had failed to meet the expectations of citizens.
He listed high levels of unemployment, inflation, exchange rate crisis, corruption, gross mismanagement of the economy, the double-track system in public schools and abuse of office by the incumbent government as some of the problems facing the country, which should encourage voters to seek change.
Agenda
Mr Mornah listed a nine-point agenda, which he said his vision was anchored on: a food-secure and agro-prosperous nation, a well-skilled, values-driven, professional and trained manpower, a gold economy as opposed to a dollarised economy, a safe, secure, and well-governed country based on the rule of law and ready to make changes to accommodate emerging needs.
The nine-point agenda also includes a responsible, respected, and friendly nation that champions the attainment of the vision of the forebears of African liberation in all its forms, a healthy society whose citizens receive quality healthcare, is socially inclusive and prudently managed economy where the revenues needed for development are equitably allocated.
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Industrialisation
Mr Mornah said he also wanted to create a country well-connected where the movement of people and goods, technology and communication were responsive to current and future needs.
Touching on industrialisation, he said his government would use that as a fulcrum of jobs and self-sufficiency, with a focus on eight commodities that constitute a major foreign exchange drain on the economy.
"These include refined petroleum costing around $1.79 billion annually, coated flat-rolled iron ($410 million), cars ($358 million), special-purpose ships essential for Ghana maritime activities ($314 million), pharmaceutical products (over $300 million), tomatoes ($250 million), and poultry (over $300 million)," he said.
Mr Mornah said the forthcoming election provided Ghanaians with an opportunity to transform the country in its desired and expected direction.