The The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has noted with dismay, the vandalism of state properties by some persons in certain parts of the country since yesterday, 8th December, 2024.
At least, such incidents have taken place in some part of Greater Accra and Northern region.
However, the NDC notes that, some of these acts of vandalism and looting of state properties, are reported to have been carried out by disgruntled supporters of the New Patriotic Party who are of the belief that their party Parliamentary Candidates hoarded state-procured food items, fertilizer and other materials which were meant to be distributed before the December 7 elections, as part of the NPP’s voter-inducement strategy. Also, some of these unfortunate incidents are reported to have been carried out by over-jubilant supporters of the NDC who have been carried away by the excitement of the party’s Resounding victory in the just-ended Presidential and Parliamentary elections.
“The NDC hereby condemns in no uncertain terms these acts of lawlessness whether carried out by NDC supporters or supporters of other parties”, the General Secretary, Fifi Kwetey said in a press statement issued a while ago.
NDC results shows Ghanaians have massively rejected the ruling NPP in the 2024 elections, Sammy Gyemfi told journalists at the fourth update since voting begun yesterday.
The NDC’s provisional results shows, Presidential candidate John Mahama won with 56.34% leading in 13 regions.
Results of 38,896 polling stations collated out of 40,976 polling stations shows total votes 11,159,430.
John Mahama got 6,286,600 representing 56.34% while NPP’s Dr Mahmud Bawumia got 4,615,006 representing 41.35.
Ghana’s 2024 elections results has shown that, indeed Ghana is an icon of democracy.
The unprecedented electoral results favouring the opposition party, NDC, shows how the citizens used the democratic process to uproot a ruling government which many had been dissatisfied with their performance.
The provisional results collated by various media outlets and NDC party shows, the NDC’s presidential candidate John Mahama, has won with over 56 percent and having convincingly majority in Parliament with over 180 seats.
For the first time, NDC has won seats which has been safe seats for the ruling NPP since inception of the fourth republic in 1992.
The results reflects how frustrated and annoyed the citizens have been due the worst economic performance coupled with governance with impunity.
Ghanaians indeed exercised enough restraints not to have resorted to coup-de-tat nor violent uprising as it has happened to four West African nations in the past five years.
The Government of Ghana has targeted to pursue ‘aggressive’ domestic revenue in combination with other macroeconomic stabilization and fiscal consolidation policies in next year.
In reading the 2024 Budget Statement and Economic Policies to Parliament, last week, the Finance Minister indicated that, the medium-term macroeconomic framework has been prepared to achieve the objective of the IMF-Supported PC-PEG through the under-listed priorities.
They include implementation of the IMF-Supported PC-PEG which is set to achieve; macroeconomic stabilization, fiscal consolidation, ‘aggressive domestic revenue mobilisation’, expenditure rationalization, structural reforms, and social protection. The government has projected a Non-oil Domestic Revenue of 15.1 percent of GDP in 2014 against a total revenue and grants of 16.8 percent of GDP. In value the government has targeted to mobilise, Total Revenue and Grants of GH¢176.4 billion (16.7% of GDP).
“The projection is underpinned by permanent non-oil revenue measures which are expected to yield at least 0.9 percent of GDP consistent with the medium-term revenue path under the IMF-Supported PC-PEG and the Medium-Term Revenue Strategy”, Ken Ofori-Atta emphasized during the budget statement presentation.
“The fiscal effort for 2024 is anchored on the following revenue and expenditure measures.”
In outlining some of the revenue measures the government plans to implement, Mr Ofori-Atta noted that, notwithstanding the efforts made by Government so far, there still exists a significant
VAT gap that needs to be urgently addressed to improve revenue performance.
In this respect, the following measures will be put in place: the Commissioner-General’s certified invoice will be the basis for all deductible expenses for income tax purposes; the second phase of the electronic invoicing system (e-VAT) covering six hundred large taxpayers and more than two thousand small and medium taxpayers will be implemented; the implementation of the upfront VAT on imports of Vatable goods by unregistered importers will continue; A VAT flat rate of 5 percent will replace the 15 percent standard VAT rate on all commercial properties will be introduced to simplify administration and enhance revenue mobilisation; and some VAT exemptions will also be reviewed to reduce distortions and abuses in the system.
Also, among the priorities are: Completion of the Debt Restructuring Programme; Finalization and implementation of the Growth strategy with a focus on value addition, export promotion, domestic and foreign investments, Agriculture, Industry, Tourism, Textile & Garments, and Digitalisation; Leveraging climate financing for Green Growth;
Focus on completing ongoing Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Programme (IPEP) projects rather than start new ones; Road infrastructure; Rural electrification and telephony; Complete the issuance of Ghana Cards; Promote Peace and Security; and, The 2024 general Elections (Governance Institutions, NCCE, Electoral Commission).
Ghana’s Elections 2024 undoubtedly is going to be a tough one to crossover.
Every personality in the front line must add weight and substance to the prospect of the political parties to be participating, especially the NDC and NPP.
The flagbearers and their running mates must be solid politicians who are very charismatic politicians (strong force magnets) who can exert much influence in the voting decisions across the demographics of Ghana’s economy and social life.
The magnetic pair for NDC should be John Dramani Mahama and Julius Debrah as it is much expected by many NDC faithfuls and the Ghanaian business class.
Julius Debrah and John Mahama
Julius Debrah (JD), former Chief of Staff to the former President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, undeniably has been the secret behind the NDC’s flagbearer strength and success.
JD is mostly referred to as the most affable, affectionate, hardworking, strategic and tactical brain, non-discriminative high political personality, very charitable and supportive.
His clout and command of power in Ghana’s political landscape is enviable and undisputably incomparable.
A mention of his name, immediately makes all present think about ‘humility’. It doesn’t matter about your age, class or status, he is always ready to and help out.
JD, born on 24 April 1966 (age 57) is anative of Obomeng Kwahu from the Eastern Region.
Academically, a product of Mpraeso Secondary School, Achimota Secondary School and University of Ghana where he obtained Bachelor of Arts in Archaeology and Sociology.
A great and successful business player and unrelenting politician. A three times Parliamentary Candidate for the NDC in a no go area of the NPP, yet, he held the battle front for the NDC party during the crucial times of the party when the was first witnessing dreadful opposition from the treacherous Akufo-Addo, Atta-Kyea, and the likes.
Julius Debrah in strategic talks with John Mahama
Despite, not winning the seat, his hard work, resilience and loyalty to the NDC were noticed and was therefore called to serve the party further in the capacity of Regional minister of Eastern and Greater Accra.
He later served the local government ministry remarkably and later called to be the Chief Servant of the First Gentleman of the land as Chief of Staff.
His leadership restructured and positioned Ghana’s Tourism industry as a key contributor to the economy while the industry players were heavily supported to meet the world class standards when he CEO position of the Ghana Tourism Authority.
His magical calmness, noble servant, strategic and tactical leadership and humility established the most cordial and undying relationship between him and his boss, John Mahama, even throughout this periods of seven years in opposition.
His servantship to John Mahama is above extraordinary.
Such values is what NDC needs now to backup the footsteps and softings the hearts of the undecided middle class, youth, and classless voters to consider the NDC as the ultimate choice.
