MILLS PUTS GHANA FIRST

…promises not to sell GCB, ADB
By Charles Takyi-Boadu
Posted: Thursday, July 10, 2008
The presidential candidate of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Professor John Evans Atta Mills, has promised to put the interest of Ghana, and Ghanaians first ahead of any other consideration, when given the mandate to steer the affairs of the country, in the upcoming elections.
He has thus spoken vehemently against the government’s intention to sell two strategic national assets, being the Agriculture Development Bank (ADB), and the Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB).
Professor Mills made these comments, when he met the Steering Committee of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), made up of 17 General Secretaries, and other members of affiliated unions yesterday, at the headquarters of organised labour in Accra.
Asked whether his government will sell the Ghana Commercial Bank and the Agricultural Development Bank, Prof. Mills’ answer was an emphatic ‘no’.
This, according to him, was because agriculture was going to be one of the key policy pivots of his government, and for that matter, ADB in particular would be made to go back to its core mandate of providing credit to the agric sector.
As happened in the days of Ghana’s first President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the NDC presidential candidate said priority would be given to Ghanaians in all spheres, whiles others will have to wait in the queue.
On the issue of job creation, which has always been the concern of organised labour, he noted that as a party that believes in the welfare and generality of the people, his government would make sure that the state played an active role in job creation.
“We don’t believe that in a situation where there is an unjust world economic order, the state should stay away completely from creating jobs. As social democrats, we believe the state must engage fully in job creation, and must partner the private sector in that regard,” he emphasised.
He recalled how the NDC government got the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to provide houses for workers, across the length and breadth of the country.
“Those who believe in property-owning democracy, chastised us for getting SSNIT to provide affordable houses for workers, but I can assure you that we will go back to that project, and give workers affordable accommodation, and also create jobs in the housing sector. The property owners are in power, and you can see for yourselves the kinds of houses they are putting up, which houses, are far away from the purse of the worker,” Mills stated
That notwithstanding, he promised to give adequate funding to the Labour Commission, to enable it function effectively, especially in the area of dispute resolution, in order to ensure harmonious industrial relations.
Considering the fact that it is the toil of labour that oils productivity, and build the nation’s wealth, he said “I will make sure that I give the Labour Commission what it needs to function effectively.”
On his part, the Acting Secretary General of the TUC, Mr. Kofi Asamoah, said it was his hope that if given the mandate to manage the affairs of the country, Professor Mills and his government would keep to their word, and make sure they don’t sell strategic national assets.
He noted that organised labour also believed the need for the state to play a critical role in job creation, and was grateful that Prof. Mills had given his word, to engage the state in job creation.
“Government has a role in job creation, and labour does not believe that government has no business doing business,” said Mr. Asamoah.
He further stressed the need for continuous social dialogue with labour, commitment to fairness in all negotiations, improved working conditions, as well as openness and transparency in governance.
The TUC extended a special invitation to Prof. Mills, to be present at its quadrennial conference, which is schedule for August.
Professor Mills gave his word that he would join his comrades at the conference, to strategise on how to build a better Ghana.
Professor Mills was accompanied by a crack team, made up of party Chairman, Dr. Kwabena Adjei, Mr. D. S. Boateng and Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni, both one-time in charge of the Employment Ministry, Mr. Kofi Aikins, trade unionist and former Chairman of the GPRTU, Ama Benyiwa Doe, NDC Women’s Organiser, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, NDC Deputy General Secretary, Hon Mahama Ayariga, MP, Bawku Central, and Antwi Boasiako Sekyere, Chief of Staff, Office of Professor Mills.