Ghana Needs A Result Oriented Approach To Solving Economic Problems � Dr. Bawumia

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, NPP Vice-Presidential Candidate for the 2012 general elections has bemoaned the fact that after 55 years of independence, Ghana is still struggling with the provision of basic services like water and sanitation and power to its citizens; problems many other countries resolved hundreds of years ago. Dr. Bawumia was speaking at the inauguration of the Charlotte, North Carolina, Chapter of the NPP in the United States on the first leg of his North American tour. The NPP Running Mate while speaking to the gathering noted that while other countries are trying to get to Mars and other planets, Ghana is still struggling with the provision of toilet facilities and basic services to its citizens even though the technology is not a secret. Dr. Bawumia on this basis argued that �there is therefore a need for a paradigm shift because we cannot continue to do things the same way and expect different results. The paradigm shift that Nana Akufo-Addo and the NPP are seeking the mandate of Ghanaians to implement is one of focusing on solutions and results underpinned by a mindset change and the inculcation of a can-do spirit in Ghanaians�. He continued �in moving to this new paradigm, it is important that we understand that in the context of a global economy, our competition as team Ghana) is with other countries and not primarily with each other. Our competition is China, Malaysia, South Africa, Brazil, India, Singapore, South Korea, the United States, etc. �Our businessmen and women, our contractors, our teachers, nurses, engineers, etc. are our players on the field of international competition. They are our Black Stars. We should support them and provide them opportunities regardless of which party they may happen to support. While we engage in healthy political competition as part of our democratic process, we should always remember that ultimately our competition is not with each other. It is with other countries in the global economic space.� Dr. Bawumia stated emphatically to the applause of the audience that the skills and talents of Ghanaians inside and outside the country will be critical to Ghana in building a globally competitive economy and that the NPP intends to fully tap into the skills reservoir of Ghanaians in the diaspora. He stated �When the Black Stars are playing, we scout for the Kevin Prince-Boatengs and the Adam Kwaraseys to help; surely soccer cannot be more important than overall economic development and we should adopt the same approach in other sectors to build a globally competitive economy�. The Running Mate to Nana Akufo-Addo affirmed the NPP�s commitment to building a strong economy. Dr. Bawumia assured the Diaspora of the NPP�s plans to ensure real macroeconomic stability underpinned by fiscal discipline indicating that the resulting economic transformation will move Ghana�s economy from the �Guggisberg economy� to an economy that will add value to our natural resources. The former Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana noted that this transformed economy would encompass a modernized agriculture regime, a rapid technology acquisition policy, improved housing, planned cities and neighbourhoods, major improvements in water, sanitation and power, a major formalization of the economy, a strengthening of the private sector, and above all, a strong, decisive, honest and solutions oriented leadership from the next NPP government. �You in the Diaspora have contributed to building this type of economy in other countries; you have the ideas, skills, and the exposure to help mother Ghana. Get a ready for a new Ghana under Nana Akufo Addo. Come and be part of a new Ghana� he entreated the audience. Dr. Bawumia�s working visit in North America will take him and his team that includes Kwadjo Owusu-Afriyie, the NPP General Secretary and National Youth Organizer, Anthony Karbo through Washington DC, New York/New Jersey, Texas, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Canada.