Ghana Is My Priority - Nduom

2012 presidential candidate of the Progressive People�s Party (PPP,) Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, says his top priority is how to see the country make significant inroads in its national economic agenda. �My priority now is to help proffer solutions for the numerous socio-economic problems confronting the country and I will not relent on my oars until I see Ghana achieve economic prosperity,� he said. According to Dr. Nduom, the current problems bedeviling the country require collective approach from all and sundry to ensure the economy regain its strength. The 2012 flag-bearer of the PPP was delivering a public lecture on the economic crisis facing the nation, on the theme: �Solutions for Ghana: A nation in crisis.� The lecture organised in Accra on Monday, July 28th, 2014 formed part of activities marking the second anniversary celebration of the PPP. Dr. Nduom could not fathom why in spite of the country�s abundance resources, successive governments have failed to optimise them to the benefit of the citizenry. Lack of confidence and incompetent leadership, the astute politician noted, are largely the causes of �our numerous economic woes.� �What we need as a nation is competent leaders who can instill confidence into the citizenry and inspire people that there is hope by leading the way with exemplary life,� Dr. Nduom intimated. To this end, he said in providing solutions for the problems facing the country, it is important to acknowledge the fact that the nation is in crisis. This, he said, would help Ghanaians to appreciate the enormity of the problems and how to find pragmatic solutions for the problems. Energy crisis Recounting his days as Minister of Energy in the erstwhile Kufuor administration, Dr. Nduom said his experience at the energy ministry makes him a better person to proffer solutions for problems hampering the regular supply of energy in the country. �As I am sure that many of you know, I was Minister of Energy from 2003 to 2005. So I have an idea what to do to solve the perennial problem we face in this area. Our people have been suffering unnecessarily with some losing their electrical appliances, lost productivity and so on. �Dum so, dum so� can be a thing of the past,� he said. He expressed his disquiet about the Mahama-led administration for failing to honour his promise on energy. According to him, President Mahama was reported to have said in his 2012 Manifesto that he would make Ghana a net-exporter of energy if voted into power. �Let me talk about energy, which will be one of our economy�s most powerful drivers. We have a comparative advantage in energy production, and in my next term, there will be no more load shedding. I say this because we have established the foundation to be able to achieve that promise. We currently produce a little over 2000 megawatts, and we hope to add 350 by the end of the year, another 700 next year, which will make us a net exporter of power. We�re introducing a policy we call energy for all. We�ve moved the average electrification coverage to 72%, and under the new program, every community of over 500 will be eligible to be put on the grid,� President Mahama was reported to have said. �What we need to become a net exporter in both power and petroleum according to him is not a secret. �We have the experts in the energy sector who know what we must do. So I will not waste your time to list for you here specific technical projects. From Mr. Ato Ahwoi to Albert Kan-Dapaah to Papa Kwesi Nduom to Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, what needs to be done is known and has been known for years.� �The problem is greed. Remove the greed on the part of politically-connected influence peddlers and their accomplices in government and we will solve the energy problems,� he added.