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.

MILLS ATTACKS MILITARY

...over inhuman treatment of drivers
…says ‘it’s an act of callousness’
By Charles Takyi-Boadu
Posted: Thursday, July 10, 2008
The Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Professor John Evans Atta Mills, has condemned the action of the soldiers who subjected some drivers around the 37military Hospital to a tormenting physical and mental ordeal, making them to undergo all sorts of inhuman treatment.
Prof. Mills said he was totally dismayed on hearing the story, since he considered it to be “an act of extreme callousness for drivers, no matter the gravity of the traffic offences they might have committed, to be sent to the 37 Military Hospital Mortuary to pack dead bodies and mop the floor.”
According to him, “the Ghana Armed Forces has a reputation that flies high, and a few over zealous men in uniform must not be allowed to destroy the image of such a respected Institution, with acts that border on nothing but extreme cruelty.”
The concern of the NDC Candidate was contained in a statement signed by his Director of Communications, Koku Anyidoho.
“As regards the driver who was forced to fondle the breast of a dead lady, as well the driver who was forced to cuddle a dead baby, our heart goes out to them, considering their very traumatic (which they expressed on various electronic media networks) experience”, he said.
Whilst welcoming the decision of the Military High Command to get to the bottom of the matter and bring those behind the unacceptable act to book, Prof. Mills noted “we respect the Ghana Armed Forces and trust that those who are found blameworthy will be made to face the full rigours of the Army’s disciplinary code.”
In another development, the former Deputy Director of Public Affairs at the Castle, during the last NDC administration, Nana Opoku Acheampong has on behalf of some friends of the party, donated six (6) pickup vehicles to help Prof. Mills’ campaign.
Making the presentation at the Osu Kukuhill, Campaign headquarters of the NDC Presidential Candidate, last Thursday, Nana Opoku Acheampong said he was making the donation with the firm conviction that the vehicles will go a long way to bring victory to the party, in this year’s elections and bring relief to Ghanaians.
“I have had the privilege of working at close quarters with Professor Atta Mills when he was vice President of Ghana, and I can attest personally to his integrity, his capacity for arduous work, his sense of fairness and above all his great love for the people of this country, and his determination to improve their lot”, he emphasised.
Nana therefore urged other Ghanaians who truly have the nation at heart, to contribute to the NDCs campaign to ensure success.
“There is no doubt that Professor Mills will deliver on his promise of building a Better Ghana, and we are happy that we are contributing to give Ghanaians a Better Ghana”, he added.
On his part, Professor Atta Mills expressed appreciation to the donors, adding that the vehicles have arrived at the right time and will be put to good use.
The vehicles have since been distributed, with two going to the Brong Ahafo and Eastern Regions respectively, and one each to the Ashanti and Volta Regions.