The State Of The Nation Address: AFAG’s Response

The Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG), having studied the recent state of the Nation Address by His Excellency, John Evans Atta Mills, wishes to make the following observations;

Middle Income Status

On the attainment of a middle income status, we urge government to explore avenues of introducing policies and programs aimed at supporting the livelihood of Ghanaians and promoting development as donor support and funding is projected to be lower in 2011.

We urge government to find a lasting solution to the TOR debt situation so it is not used as an excuse to increase petroleum prices and suffocate the people of this dear country. In this vein, it is important for the government to be honest about the untruthful figures the government and the National Democratic Congress has pushed into the public domain.

The Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) is meant address the imbalances, and ensures parity in public salaries in the country. As teachers prepare to demonstrate in Brong Ahafo region, only one message is clear. Thus, the imbalances still exist. It is difficult to understand why a police constable would take about Seven Hundred Ghana Cedis (GHC 700.00) whilst a graduate teacher takes Three Hundred and fifty Ghana Cedis (GHC 350.00).
It is time the Prof Mills’ government goes beyond mere rhetoric and commit substantial resources in solving problems realistically. Teachers and other public sector workers deserves better. It may be politically expedient to tell the world that the SSSS is operational. This notwithstanding the real working world suffers as Prof Mills government pursues empty political glories.

Governance

The Presidents admittance of the shabbily organised district assembly elections is welcoming. We urge him to inform the nation measures his government has considered to put in place to ensure that prevent this occurrence in 2012 general elections. AFAG refuses to accept his admission. It is not enough. We need assurance that, he is politically committed to peacefully elections in 2012. What measures has your government put in place?

Energy

The passage of the Petroleum Commission Management Bill is commendable. We urge government to ensure that it is implemented to the letter without any political colouration to ensure that, Ghanaians benefit from the oil resources. We cannot afford to be a victim of the ‘Dutch Disease’. Where other African countries have failed, Ghana, the Black Star of Africa must show the way by succeeding. It is incumbent on the Mills’ administration to lead the way. Ghana cannot miss this opportunity.

Health
The President’s silence on the one time premium of the Health Insurance Scheme comes as a shock to many Ghanaians considering the importance placed on it in the social contract the NDC entered into with Ghanaians.
We wish to state categorically that the Presidents mention of the existence of a metal health Act in the constitution is our land is difficult to independently establish and we therefore challenge Government to provide any proof if they have any. Honesty and truthfulness is bedrock to any thriving society and we urge political leaders to be the first to adhere to them.

Education
The continuous news of the poor nature of food being given to pupils under the school feeding program is worth looking at. We urge the various MMDCE assure the nation how they are practically how they are solving the bottlenecks which have plagued the programme.
We commend Governments decision of selecting 30% of first year students from within 10 mile radius of where Senior High Schools are situated for placement. AFAG wishes to know the methodologies designed by the government to achieve this. We foresee this policy being abused if there is no transparent procedure in place.
The recent ground breaking ceremony in Volta and Brong Ahafo regions for the setting up of new Universities is a bold step but we urge government to give details of the funding for the project as 30% of the GETFUND has been deducted to sustain social interventions per this year’s budget. Furthermore, has the government sought for accreditation for those institutions?

Youth & Sports
We find it interesting how the president singled out the senior National team for praise as other sporting disciplines also brought honours to Ghana within the last year. AFAG advises the government to be generous with his praise to all sporting discipline.

Security
AFAG wishes to assure government of our commitment to join efforts with all well meaning Ghanaians to sustain and develop our democracy.

Conclusion
We wish to state, that the presentation by His Excellency President Atta Mills does not reflect the true state of the nation as it stands.

The refusal of the President to indicate the following;
1. Our total external debt
2. Our total internal debt
3. The GDP OF Ghana
4. Unemployment among our youth and the population in general
5. His reluctant to paint a graphical picture of the health of our economy, among others leaves mores questions to be answered.

The omission of the state of our trade and industry sector, tourism sector raises questions as to the commitment of the president to these sectors considering the revenue generation viability of these sectors. How well or bad has The Brand Ghana secretariat fared. There is limited data on their activities. We expect the government to inform the nation how financial resources of the nation committed to this institution is being spent.
AFAG finds it worrying the singling out of China as a major partner for praise leaving out other strategic major partners such as the United States of America, Briton, Japan, Holland and many more who have stood with us with aid, budgetary support among others even before the discovery of oil in commercial quantities. We call on his Excellency the President to send an unqualified apology to our major developmental partners as his comments is seen as a major diplomatic goof.
God Bless Ghana.

Signed:
Kwabena Bomfeh- 0244535472
Davis Opoku-0244861593
Arnold Boateng0244294754
Abu Ramadan-0244570006
James Apeatu-0244375034