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Good
evening
to
you,
my
colleagues
in
the
field
of
media
and
Communicatons,
and
to
you,
the
millions
watching
and
listening
from
across
our
country
and
the
world.
We
are
at
a
crucial
moment
in
our
nation’s
history—with
153
days
to
the
next
presidential
and
parliamentary
elections.
Two
years
ago,
in
2022,
right
here
in
this
hall,
in
my
prophetic
address
to
the
nation,
I
submitted
to
the
government
and
to
all
Ghanaians
that
Ghana
was
at
a
crossroads.
Unfortunately,
the
government
refused
to
listen
to
that
altruistic
conversation
and
the
raft
of
viable
and
innovative
policy
proposals
I
offered
that
evening.
Two
years
on,
our
country
is
in
the
worst
state!
In
between
the
periods,
I
have
been
having
a
series
of
innovative
conversations
with
you—conversations
that
do
not
talk
down
or
talk
at
Ghanaians—truthful
and
honest
continuous
conversations
that
admit
that
our
nation
is
in
peril.
Because
Ghanaians
have
victory
in
our
DNA,
I
know
we
can
overcome
our
difficulties.
Let
me
thank
you
for
your
presence
this
evening
for
my
first
major
media
encounter
ahead
of
the
December
07
elections.
In
addition
to
my
digital
conversations,
I
intend
to
have
a
number
of
such
media
engagements,
not
only
in
Accra
but
in
other
parts
of
the
country.
As
I
have
done
when
I
was
president,
I
passionately
believe
in
transparency
and
accountability,
and
engagements
with
the
Fourth
Estate
have
always
been
an
effective
way
to
reach
the
citizenry.
This
is
why
I
am
happy
to
be
with
you
again
tonight
to
sustain
the
conversation
about
our
dear
country,
Ghana.
Do
not
worry.
The
media
encounters
and
my
virtual
engagements
will
not
deny
you
the
opportunity
to
catch
me
for
one-on-one
interviews
in
your
studios
or
at
events.
Ladies
and
gentlemen,
this
is
the
TIME
FOR
CHANGE.
The
TIME
for
CHANGE
has
COME!
And
it
is
not
just
a
slogan
but
a
clarion
call
to
the
heart
and
soul
of
our
nation.
This
is
the
Time
for
Change
because
of
the
urgent
need
for
a
transformative
shift
in
the
way
we
govern,
the
way
we
create
jobs,
the
way
we
live,
the
way
we
provide
social
services,
including
HEALTH
AND
EDUCATION
and
the
way
we
envision
the
future
of
our
country,
Ghana.
After
almost
eight
years
under
the
deplorable
leadership
of
the
Akufo-Addo
and
Bawumia
administration,
we
have
seen
our
country
sink
into
a
serious
economic
abyss.
The
current
economic
mess
sums
up
the
verdict
on
this
NPP
government.
The
harsh
reality
is
that,
for
most
citizens,
the
piteous
journey
over
the
period
has
been
a
bitter
experience
of
economic
and
social
deprivation.
The
unprecedented
levels
of
poverty,
unemployment,
deterioration
in
livelihoods,
and
social
inequity
have
exposed
the
dubious
strategy
of
hiding
incompetence
under
slogans.
It
confirms
without
hesitaton
that
the
disruptive
and
hasty
experimentation
with
the
lives
of
the
Ghanaian
people
was
underpinned
by
naïve
exuberance,
arrogance,
and
selfishness.
I
am
referring
to
economic
challenges
that
have
shattered
the
dreams
of
our
youth
and
the
aspirations
of
the
vulnerable.
No
one
has
been
spared—children,
adults,
including
the
middle
class,
and
the
elderly
have
all
been
hit
very
hard.
Fellow
Ghanaians,
notwithstanding
these
challenges,
I
am
imbued
with
optimism
and
a
steadfast
belief
in
my
God
almighty
and
the
amazing
creativity
of
Ghanaians
to
assure
you,
tonight,
that
together,
we
shall
turn
this
tide.
We
shall
turn
this
government’s
destructive
tide
into
positive
and
progressive
waves—waves
that
will
reverberate
in
every
home
and
corner
of
our
country
and
across
the
globe,
demonstrating
that
Ghana
has
once
again
gotten
back
on
track.
Let
me
give
you
five
good
and
solid
reasons
why
we
shall
reset
Ghana
and
turn
the
tide:
1.
Experience:
Unlike
any
other
candidate,
I
have
navigated
Ghana
through
tough
economic
waters
before.
My
presidency
was
marked
by
significant
infrastructure
development,
building
economic
buffers
for
inclusive
growth
while
ensuring
macroeconomic
stability.
I
understand
the
intricacies
of
national
crisis
management
and
possess
the
proven
experience
to
RESET
Ghana
from
the
economic
challenges
we
face
today.
2.
Visionary
Leadership
for
Economic
Revival:
My
vision
for
Ghana
is
rooted
in
sustainable
development.
I
will
focus
on
revitalising
our
economy
for
job
creation
through
industrialisation,
enhancing
agriculture,
and
ensuring
the
efficient
use
of
our
natural
resources.
My
administration
will
introduce
cross-cuttng
innovative
policies
that
are
inclusive,
growth-oriented,
and
capable
of
restoring
hope
to
our
youth.
3.
Commitment
to
Job
Creation:
Recognising
that
our
youth
are
the
backbone
of
this
nation,
my
government
will
prioritise
and
create
decent,
well-paying,
and
sustainable
jobs.
By
fostering
a
conducive
environment
for
entrepreneurship
and
innovation,
the
government
and
the
private
sector
will
not
only
tackle
unemployment
but
also
inspire
a
generation
of
change-makers
and
problem-solvers.
4.
Championing
Social
Justice
and
Equality:
I
wholeheartedly
believe
in
a
Ghana
where
every
citizen,
regardless
of
their
background
or
gender,
has
equal
opportunities
to
thrive.
Under
my
leadership,
social
interventions
and
educational
reforms
will
be
strengthened.
The
vulnerable
in
our
society
will
be
protected
and
given
the
opportunity
to
change
their
circumstances.
Let
me
add
that
gender
equality
will
be
a
cardinal
feature
of
the
Mahama
Jane
Naana
Opoku
Agyemang
Flagstaff
House.
We
would
lead
an
administration
that
promotes
gender
inclusivity
in
every
government
policy.
That
is
why
we
propose
to
establish
a
national
women’s
bank
to
empower
women
to
close
the
gender
gap
financially.
One
million
women
will
benefit
from
the
women’s
bank
to
finance
their
small
and
medium-scale
businesses.
5.
A
Call
to
NaGonal
Unity:
Ghana’s
strength
lies
in
its
diversity.
The
polarisation
and
partisan
politics
that
have
characterised
the
current
government’s
tenure
should
have
no
place
in
the
Ghana
we
aim
to
build.
As
President,
I
will
foster
a
spirit
of
national
cohesion,
encouraging
all
Ghanaians
to
contribute
towards
nation-building,
regardless
of
their
political
or
ethnic
affiliations.
To
the
youth
of
Ghana,
I
say:
I
understand
the
frustration
and
disillusionment
many
of
you
feel.
I
can
relate
to
the
recent
cynicism
and
massive
mistrust
in
our
body
politics
because
the
current
government
has
been
undeserving
of
your
trust!
The
challenges
of
today
might
seem
insurmountable,
but
I
urge
you
to
look
beyond
the
present
and
dream
with
me
of
a
RESET
Ghana—The
Ghana
we
all
want,
where
your
talents
and
hard
work
determine
your
success.
I
promise
a
Ghana
where
you
are
not
sidelined
but
at
the
forefront
of
change,
where
you
can
live
happy
lives
and
still
achieve
your
optimum
potential.
This
is
not
just
a
promise;
it’s
a
commitment.
I
will
reset
the
Economy,
and
Ghana
will
be
open
for
business
for
24
hours.
Leadership
is
about
vision,
and
the
24-hour
economy
is
the
vision
to
create
decent
and
well-paying
jobs.
When
I
talk
about
a
24-hour
economy,
we
need
to
understand
the
underlying
vision.
The
24-hour
economy
is
the
means
to
an
end—and
the
end
is
putting
Ghana
on
a
solid
path
to
accelerated
growth
and
development.
We
need
to
attain
the
growth
rhythm
that
will
turn
our
country
into
a
developed
economy
and
eliminate
the
abject
level
of
poverty
we
witness
today.
An
economy
that
will
manufacture
many
of
its
needs,
including
food
and
beverages,
drugs,
clothes
and
more.
Such
that
we
can
address
exchange
rate
volatilities
due
to
needless
imports.
The
world
is
growing
fast.
We
need
to
keep
up
with
this
new
rhythm,
so
first,
think
of
the
24-
hour
economy
as
an
accelerator—the
best
accelerator
or
catalyst
we
could
possibly
have.
A
24-hour
economy
will
increase
the
production
and
distribution
of
goods
and
services
and
accelerate
the
economic
exchanges
between
people
and
companies.
With
that,
we
will
start
growing
at
an
unprecedented
pace
while
providing
decent
jobs
for
the
youth.
I
have
said
that
leadership
is
about
vision,
and
I
stand
by
it.
But
leadership
is
also
about
caring,
about
giving
people
genuine,
solid
hope.
This
is
what
a
24-hour
economy
really
is
about.
Let
me
explain.
The
24-hour
economy
is
a
solid
way
to
replace
imports
with
homegrown
production
of
goods
and
thus
create
a
solid
base
for
a
vibrant
Ghanaian
industry.
In
many
instances,
we
don’t
import
goods
because
they’re
better
than
ours;
we
import
them
because
nobody
produces
them
here,
in
Ghana,
in
the
first
place
or
because
the
local
production
is
insufficient.
The
stimulus
package
for
companies
wanting
to
participate
in
the
24-hour
economy
will
convince
businesses,
and
I
am
sure
of
it,
to
start
producing
import
substitutes.
Do
you
know
why?
Because
the
market
for
such
products
already
exists.
Through
the
24-hour
economy,
businesses
will
be
incentivised
to
start
producing
for
this
market.
It’s
the
simplest
way
to
start
growing
sustainably.
And
when
this
begins
to
happen,
imagine
the
number
of
new
jobs
that
will
be
created!
And
here’s
another
thing
about
the
24-hour
economy:
it
will
boost
exports.
Many
Ghanaian
companies
will
start
looking
for
foreign
partners
to
develop
their
businesses
to
take
advantage
of
the
new
opportunities
available
to
them
via
a
24-hour
economy.
Thanks
to
the
African
Continental
Free
Trade
Area,
these
partnerships
will
open
new
foreign
markets
to
Ghanaian
companies.
Goods
produced
in
Ghana
will
then
be
exported
to
other
parts
of
the
continent,
India,
Europe,
or
North
America,
using
the
connections
of
foreign
partners.
As
I
have
said
before,
I
will
personally
chair
an
Accelerated
Exports
Development
Programme
that
will
identify
and
promote
exports
in
the
manufacturing,
agricultural
products,
textiles,
fruits
and
beverages,
pharmaceuticals,
and
extractive
sectors.
It
is
important
to
understand
that
the
24-hour
economy
will
generate
a
network
of
foreign
markets
for
Ghanaian
entrepreneurs
and
will
transform
Ghana
into
an
export-led
economy.
So,
I
say
that
the
24-hour
economy
is
also
about
national
pride.
It
is
about
creating
jobs
through
enhanced
productivity,
connecting
Ghana
with
the
wider
world,
and
making
Ghanaians
proud
of
what
they
can
accomplish
here.
Once
the
24-hour
economy
is
set
in
motion,
the
rhythm
of
growth
will
start
to
accelerate
exponentially.
And
Ghana
will
be
open
for
business
24
hours.
My
24-hour
Economy
initiative
will
anchor
my
determination
to
change
the
structure
of
the
Ghanaian
economy
through
the
active
support
of
private
sector-led
growth.
Be
assured
that
the
24-hour
economy
initiative
is
a
well-thought-through,
data-driven,
evidence-based,
and
comprehensive
policy
to
expand
critical
and
strategic
segments
of
our
economy
sustainably.
It
will
liberate
Ghanaians
from
the
shackles
of
unemployment
and
economic
dependence.
Governance—Fighting
Corruption
for
Development
I
am
committed
to
drastically
reducing
the
size
of
government—and
rightly
so!
This
government
has
sufficiently
proven
to
Ghanaians
that
with
over
120
ministers
and
deputy
ministers,
all
they
could
offer
was
to
run
the
economy
aground.
I
will
run
a
lean,
highly
effective,
and
efficient
government
of
no
more
than
60
(sixty)
ministers
and
deputy
ministers.
This
is
solid
proof
of
my
genuine
commitment
to
curbing
government
expenditure.
My
leaner
government
will
be
the
cleanest
government
Ghana
has
ever
experienced.
It
will
serve
Ghanaians
far
better
and
set
higher
standards
for
future
governments.
What
we
have
now
can
obviously
never
be
and
should
never
be
a
yardstick.
My
goal
is
to
launch
a
renewed
fight
against
corruption.
I
will
keep
my
appointees
in
check,
and
Ghanaians
can
be
assured
that
drastic
steps
will
be
taken
to
punish
the
corrupt
officials
and
their
accomplices
in
this
present
government.
No
actor
in
this
NPP
corruption
enterprise
will
be
spared.
We
will
also
take
action
to
repossess
what
has
been
unlawfully
stolen
from
the
Ghanaian
people.
As
we
all
know,
government
procurement
is
a
significant
source
of
corruption.
No
economy
can
sustain
inclusive
and
equitable
social
and
economic
well-being
with
the
penchant
for
public
service
holders
to
be
self-serving
and
corrupt,
as
is
currently
the
case.
The
use
of
public
finances
will
always
be
compliant
with
national
laws,
transparent,
justified
by
contemporary
value-for-money
tests,
and
solely
in
the
interest
of
the
broader
citizens.
If
we
want
to
eliminate
corruption,
we
must
increase
accountability
in
government
procurement
processes.
Accountability
gives
power
back
to
the
people.
God
willing,
as
the
incoming
president
and
leader,
I
assure
the
people
of
Ghana
that
the
NDC
is
fully
committed
to
accountability.
This
is
why
one
of
our
key
policies
will
be
to
set
up
an
independent
value-for-money
office
to
scrutinise
all
government
procurements
above
a
$5
million
threshold
or
as
shall
be
recommended
by
Parliament.
Transparency
and
accountability
are
the
keys
to
fighting
corruption.
We
will
fight
corruption
by
creating
an
office
that
will
dynamically
scrutinise
all
government
procurements.
Coupled
with
a
lean
government
of
no
more
than
60
ministers
and
deputy
ministers,
I
guarantee
you
that
we
will
win
this
fight!
Developing
the
Agriculture
and
Agribusiness
sector
with
specialised
zones
in
all
regions,
with
support
from
the
Farmer
Service
Centres
and
Exim
Bank.
Ladies
and
gentlemen,
some
say
agriculture
belongs
to
poor
people,
but
I
say
agriculture
can
generate
significant
wealth
and
employment.
We
live
in
a
world
crippled
by
the
ever-increasing
effects
of
climate
change.
In
this
uncertain
and
sometimes
volatile
world,
food
security
becomes
a
strategic
issue.
To
put
it
simply,
we
cannot
even
begin
to
think
about
transforming
Ghana
if
we
don’t
put
the
right
focus
on
agriculture.
We
cannot
be
successful
in
anything
if
we
do
not
first
put
food
on
the
table
at
an
affordable
cost
for
our
people.
Agriculture
is
the
cornerstone
of
growth.
Ignoring
it
is
like
trying
to
build
a
house
without
a
foundation:
the
slightest
storm
will
bring
it
down.
Without
reliable
access
to
affordable
and
nutritious
food
in
sufficient
quantity,
growth
and
development
are
impossible.
So,
I
don’t
look
at
agriculture
as
an
occupation
for
the
poor—I
look
at
it
as
the
very
basis
of
our
future.
The
simplest
way
to
achieve
food
security
is
to
produce
food
locally.
If
you
produce
food
locally,
you
are
not
dependent
on
imports,
so
you
can
still
feed
the
people
even
if
the
international
distribution
lines
are
broken.
This
is
the
food
security
strategy
I
am
fighting
for.
This
is
why
I’m
looking
at
farmers,
fishermen,
and
other
protein
producers
as
strategic
partners
in
building
the
Ghana
we
want—a
modern,
vibrant,
thriving
Ghana.
Others
may
look
down
on
agriculture.
I
don’t.
I
am
a
farmer
myself.
I
see
farmers
as
my
close
brothers
and
sisters
because
of
their
strategic
importance
in
helping
Ghana
become
a
true
Black
Star
not
only
of
Africa
but
of
the
world.
They
inspire
me,
and
I
hope
I
inspire
them
too.
Let
me
share
just
3
(three)
examples
of
policies
we
will
implement
as
soon
as
we
form
the
next
government.
We
shall
establish
special
agro
industrial
zones
in
all
sixteen
regions
to
add
value
to
local
crops
they
have
a
comparative
advantage
to
produce
and
thereby
boost
exports
and
reduce
raw
material
imports.
Secondly,
we
shall
create
opportunities
for
farmers
to
improve
food
security
and
bolster
economic
growth
through
the
establishment
of
farmer
service
centres
across
the
country.
This
will
be
enhanced
by
well-established
farmer
cooperatives,
advanced
farming
techniques,
modern
digital
tools,
and
the
promotion
of
agribusinesses.
And
three,
we
will
launch
a
programme
similar
to
“Operation
Feed
Yourself
and
Industries”
of
the
early
1970s
to
make
Ghana
self-sufficient
in
basic
staples
and
curb
unnecessary
imports.
All
three
policies
exemplify
to
the
highest
degree
my
vision
of
agriculture
as
the
cornerstone
of
our
future
growth.
True
leadership,
like
I
said,
is
about
vision
and
about
empowering
people
to
live
that
vision.
Digital
youth
Let’s
face
it—the
digital
revoluGon
is
here
to
stay.
It
has
already
transformed
our
lives
in
ways
that
were
simply
unpredictable
only
a
decade
ago
and
will
continue
to
do
so.
Around
the
world
and
here
in
Ghana,
we
now
have
digitised
factories
and
even
digital
agriculture.
This
is
the
fourth
industrial
revoluGon.
The
fiUh
industrial
revoluGon
–
the
Cognitive
Age
that
brings
human
and
machine
intelligence
into
close
proximity
for
sustainable
growth
–
beckons.
The
sooner
we
embrace
it,
the
more
prosperous
we’ll
become.
This
is
why
I
am
a
true
and
firm
believer
in
the
right
to
affordable
and
reliable
internet.
I
believe
that
currently,
everybody
should
have
access
to
the
Internet.
You
may
remember
that
four
years
ago,
I
promised
Ghanaians
that,
if
elected
President,
I
would
provide
them
with
universal
and
affordable
internet
access.
My
promise
still
stands
because
my
vision
of
a
digital
Ghana
is
as
strong
as
ever.
It
is
a
vision
that
led
me,
as
president,
to
deploy
massive
fixed
and
wireless
broadband
for
reliable
internet
across
our
country.
It
remains
an
undying
vision.
We
need
to
be
young
in
mind
and
in
spirit.
This
is
a
fabulous
time
in
our
history,
a
time
in
which
we
must
be
bold,
create,
and
take
advantage
of
the
huge
opportunities
the
digital
world,
particularly
the
digital
economy,
offers
us.
Based
on
this
vision
of
a
new,
vibrant,
digital
Ghana,
the
next
NDC
Government
will
partner
with
local
tech
start-ups
and
businesses
to
launch
a
‘Digital
Jobs
Initiative’
to
create
at
least
300,000
skilled
employment
opportunities
for
the
youth.
Imagine
this:
300,000
employment
opportunities
for
our
youth!
And
this
is
in
a
field
they
not
only
love
but
often
excel
at.
I
look
at
my
children,
nieces,
and
nephews,
and
I’m
amazed
at
their
digital
skills,
as
I’m
sure
many
parents
in
Ghana
are.
So,
I
am
telling
you,
like
I
tell
everybody
else,
let
these
kids
thrive!
They
are
our
future,
so
let
them
build
this
future.
It
will
be
glorious,
I
promise
you!
All
they
need
from
us
is
our
support
and
understanding
–
and
I
promise
all
of
them
my
full
support
and
my
wholehearted
understanding!
My
dearest
young
Ghanaians,
I
stand
by
you
100%,
and
I
always
will!
When
we
talk
about
the
digital
revolution,
we
also
need
to
talk
about
the
digital
divide
–
about
those
who
are
left
behind.
On
my
watch,
I
will
do
whatever
it
takes
to
provide
universal
access
and
bridge
the
digital
divide
in
our
country.
We
shall
close
the
digital
gap.
The
NDC
promises
you
this:
we
shall
train
One
Million
Coding
Professionals
in
in-demand
digital
skills
for
the
growing
Business
Process
Outsourcing
(BPO)
and
Knowledge
Process
Outsourcing
ecosystems,
ensuring
no
one
is
leU
behind
in
the
digital
revolution.
One
million
coders
–
think
about
it!
And
we
can
do
it!
This
is
our
plan.
This
is
our
pledge
to
you:
no
Ghanaian
will
be
left
behind
in
the
digital
revolution!
Let
me
assure
the
sports
fraternity
that
we
shall
develop
our
stadium
infrastructure
for
track
and
field
sports,
fix
the
deteriorating
football
pitches,
and
pay
stipends
to
footballers
in
the
premier
league.
What
we
call
the
lesser-known
sports
shall
receive
equitable
attention.
I
have
good
news
for
the
creative
industry.
Our
overarching
policy
for
the
industry
shall
be
the
Black
Experience.
This
will
be
geared
towards
boosting
the
tourism
and
creative
arts
sector.
It
will
include
Pan
African
Month,
Ghana
Film
Festival
and
Awards
Month,
Ghanaian
Heritage
and
History
Month,
Fashion
and
Food
Month,
and
Diasporan
Month.
Additionally,
we
will
rehabilitate
all
our
regional
Centres
of
National
Culture
and
make
them
available
for
the
creative
industry.
We
will
also
support
ageing
artists.
Conclusion
Together,
we
shall
overcome.
Together,
we
shall
reset
the
narrative
and
restore
Ghana
to
its
rightful
place
among
the
comity
of
nations.
The
time
for
change
has
come,
and
the
time
to
change
this
non-performing,
corrupt
government
is
now!
Let
us
seize
this
moment
to
build
the
Ghana
we
want
together
for
a
brighter
future
for
our
children
and
for
generations
to
come.
God
bless
our
homeland,
Ghana.
I
would
like
to
stop
here
and
invite
you
to
ask
your
questions
so
we
can
continue
the
conversation
about
the
many
other
issues
I
have
left
out
for
now.