A new Ghana - one that tackles the numerous current challenges be it socio-economic or political has been promised by flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Kwabena Agyepong.

On Tuesday, July 11, Mr Agyepong provided elaborate details of what the new era he seeks to achieve will entail while speaking to an audience at the launch of his 2024 campaign at the Silicon Production House at Tesano.

He plans to undertake six actions to build a 'better' Ghana. They are as follows:

1. A lean wholly downsized government, one that works efficiently and effectively todeliver to the aspirations and expectations of the Ghanaian people. The Ministries willbe reconfigured to align with the constitutional Cap of 19 Cabinet to be assisted by anequal number of deputies in addition to the 16 in the regions making up a team of 54.Stakeholder consultations will be undertaken to introduce an upper limit of 9 Judges onthe Supreme Court and possibly remove the retirement age of 70 and allow SupremeCourt judges to serve until they are unable to perform their functions.

2. Enforcing Law and Order, imposing Discipline and ensuring Compliance of Rulesand Regulations. A Zero Tolerance policy anchored on a drastic penalty regime coupledwith a strong political will to punish those who tinker with the public treasury. The Lawshould work to uproot corruption, protect individual and property rights.

3. Cutting waste in the public sector by ensuring that there is Value for Money in publicprocurement and here I will draw heavily on my engineering background to facilitatethe freeing up of vital resources to support the empowerment of the youth throughtechnical education, entrepreneurship, and small business start-ups.

4. Restore Meritocracy and Professionalism to the Civil and Public Services bysignificantly reducing unbridled politicization and interference. It is time to end thewasteful seminars, workshops, fora, and expensive retreats and rather move intoimplementation mode, utilising the recommendations of the huge volumes of reportsgathering dust.

5. Urban Regeneration and Renewal. The current Urban Ecosystem is dysfunctional. Astructured, coordinated, and integrated approach must be adopted and implemented tocreate more liveable cities and human settlements where basic needs do not become apermanent dream. A Technical Advocacy Committee TAC of the Professional bodieswithin the Built Environment (Surveyors, Planners, Architects and Engineers) will beset up to help resolve the challenges thereof.

6. Entertainment and Sports. In the Creative Arts, the issue of protection of intellectualproperty and copyright is dear to me. Creatives need to be empowered to own theirwork and earn a decent living from their talent. It is a sector that has the potential toabsorb our teeming youth and it is my dream to see creatives thrive in Ghana. Mypassion for sports is public knowledge, nevertheless, Ghana cannot be the jack of allsports and master of none. Soccer, Boxing and Athletics will obviously be priority witha focus on school sports and Colts soccer. We have got to revive interest in our PremierLeague and restore the organic link between communities and traditional football teamsand of course the all-important role of Government in football administration in Ghana.

Source: The Independent Ghana