The Convention People’s Party (CPP) has called on the government to protect, revive and properly manage Ghana’s state-owned enterprises as the country marks the 117th birthday of its founder, Dr Kwame Nkrumah.

The party said Nkrumah’s principles of nationalism, self-reliance and state-led development should continue to guide the management of strategic public assets.

In a statement signed by its National Communications Director, Osei Kofi Acquah, the CPP expressed concern over what it described as the deterioration of some state-owned enterprises and the sale of others to politically connected individuals.

The party also criticised the government’s proposed private-sector participation in the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), describing it as an attempt to privatise the utility.

The government, however, has maintained that the arrangement does not involve the sale or transfer of ownership of ECG.

The Energy Ministry has said the initiative is intended to bring private-sector expertise into aspects of ECG’s operations while the state retains ownership.

The CPP disagrees with the approach and insists that Ghanaians can effectively manage strategic state-owned companies if they are properly governed.

“It is illogical to believe that a company, factory and state-owned enterprise cannot be properly managed by the over 30 million Ghanaians, but can be managed effectively by a single individual(s),” Acquah said.

The party is therefore urging the government to restore and revamp state-owned enterprises, arguing that they can help create jobs and generate revenue for the state.

The call comes as Ghana commemorates Dr Nkrumah, who was born on September 21, 1909, at Nkroful and led the country to independence in 1957. His political vision included economic independence, industrialisation and Pan-Africanism.

The seven-year plan Nkrumah drew up to transform Ghana's economy

The CPP said the occasion should serve as an opportunity to renew the country’s commitment to principles associated with Nkrumah’s vision.

“We are therefore on this day calling on government to restore, revamp, maintain and properly manage state-owned enterprises and companies to create employment for the numerous unemployed youth of Ghana as well as generate revenue for government,” Acquah said.

The debate comes amid wider discussions over the future of Ghana’s state-owned enterprises and the role of private-sector participation in public utilities.

According to the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), ECG remains wholly owned by the Government of Ghana and is classified as a state-owned enterprise.

The CPP concluded its statement by calling for the preservation of Nkrumah’s legacy.

“Long live the legacies of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah. Long live Pan-Africanism. Long live Nationalism and Patriotism. Long live Mother Ghana,” the statement said.

NA/MA

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