Ghana needs radical changes - TCP Founder

The Founder and Chairman of Traditional Congress Party (TCP), Dr. Anthony Toku is calling for a radical but meaningful socio-economic changes in Ghana. The NPP administration, under the able leadership of Hon. J.A. Kufuor, must quickly promote programmes that will bring immediate economic relief to the people of Ghana.

Creating jobs for the people in the private sector must be an immediate pre-occupation of all politicians in the country and not just an NPP problem, Chairman Toku exclaimed. There must be a calculated and deliberate attempt by the leaders of this country to pull all our resources together to create jobs for millions of Ghanaians in the private sector.

Dr. Toku is worried about the acute unemployment problem in the country. Unemployment, he stated, takes away the dignity of any human being. It is a complete denial of the citizens' ability to live a normal and meaningful life. The youthful energies of the nation's labour force are being wasted under shade trees and sheds. Ghana must develop a vibrant economy through manufacturing and processing of our natural resources by encouraging the nation's private entrepreneurs to take advantage of the nation's wealth.

Dr. Toku is in the country to help fight mosquitoes and related diseases including malaria. Mosquito Magnet is a scientifically developed machine that emits Carbon dioxide in the air to attract and trap mosquitoes into a net to die from dehydration. He is negotiating with his company to establish a Mosquito Magnet sub-assembly plant in Ghana in a calculated attempt to provide employment opportunities for the people. I am appealing to all Ghanaian professionals abroad to help create job opportunities in Ghana.

RESIDENTIAL AREAS

To initiate a programme to reinvent socio-economic activities as a necessary step towards full employment, potential local projects can be undertaken immediately to offer such employment opportunities. Let the government increase property tax to help rehabilitate roads leading to residential areas in the cities and towns.

This project, if properly initiated, will put thousands of people to work. Private road development contractors can take advantage of this opportunity to employ potential road works.

The Ministry of Private Sector Development must have the foresight and the ability toencourage new indigenous entrepreneurs to start new businesses to revitalise the economy. the banking institutions must not be afraid to work with the private sector by granting low interest loans.

The socio-economic fabric of the nation is at the brink of collapse. Virtually everybody on the street is struggling to make ends meet. The chain of 'human stores' vying for space on the major streets in the cities is sad. These street hawkers and dilapidated kiosks littering the city's side-walks are a sign of economic breakdown. The street hawkers can be properly organized, properly located and proper tax imposed as a source of revenue to the government.

To create immediate employment for the people, the Ministry of Private Sector Development must, as a matter of urgency, develop programmes and policies that would encourage all existing industries to expand their output. This can be achieved by giving such businesses tax breaks and incentives, temporary suspension of VAT and others that prevent the companies from expanding and providing employment for the people.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Manufacturing and processing industries that are dying must quickly be revived and developed to provide employment for the people in the private sector. The coconut plantation offers opportunities for doormat and carpet weaving, brushes of all types, etc. The oil palm plantations offer another profound employment opportunities in the private sector for palm wine and alcohol processing which can be exported. Cattle rearing offers tremendous employment opportunities. Properly planned, cattle products can feed a meet processing industry. Cocoa pods can be processed to produce certain fragrances and soap.

The Ministry of Private Sector Development is the gateway to Ghana's economic development and employment opportunities. Someone must head this vital Ministry with a vision and foresight to make it happen.

The rise in armed robbery in the country is a consequence of unemployment. Private landlords have virtually taken security measures to prevent armed robbers from breaking into their homes by building high concrete walls and iron doors dotted with iron bars punctuated with a watchman to guard the gates. We are building 'self imposed prison quarters' as private homes and this is sad.

The problem of employment is not a problem for NPP and President Kufuor's administration. It is a problem for all political leaders and others with the country at heart. Let us support President Kufuor's socio-economic efforts directed toward full employment of the people. Dr. Toku pledges to make available his economic team to help create thousands of jobs in the private sector in an effort to stabilize the economy and move the country toward pre-condition for economic take off.