Movement For Change Outlines Key Concerns, Solutions For Ghana’s Development

The Movement for Change, a leading political force in Ghana, has addressed a press conference outlining its stance on current and emerging issues dominating the country’s political landscape.

Lawyer Andrew Appiah Dankwa, spokesperson for the movement, highlighted five key areas of concern, including the dynamics of Parliament, appointments to key positions in government, corruption, constitutional reforms, and the economy.

Regarding Parliament, the movement emphasized the need for the majority to exercise their power with discretion and demonstrate commitment to accountability and transparency. The minority, led by the NPP, was also urged to hold the government accountable without grandstanding or adopting a disruptive posture.

On appointments to key positions, the movement commended the president for reducing the number of ministerial appointments to 60, a significant policy shift. However, it cautioned that the quality of appointments must demonstrate a commitment to infusing new energy, dynamism, efficiency, and innovation in government business.

Corruption remains a significant challenge, and the movement proposed six practical policy measures to tackle it. These include creating an anti-corruption agency with full constitutional backing, consolidating anti-corruption legislation, compulsory asset declaration and lifestyle audits, transparent procurement systems, empowering citizens and civil society, and incentivizing whistleblowers.

The movement also emphasized the need for constitutional reforms, citing the lack of progress in implementing reforms extensively debated by various sections of Ghanaian society. It expressed hope that the president’s committee on constitutional reforms would yield meaningful results.

On the economy, the movement advised the Minister of Finance to undertake a complete overhaul of the national budget architecture, focusing on macroeconomic stability, catalytic investment in productive sectors, and providing fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to leverage private sector financing and investments.

Other key proposals included stabilizing the local currency, reducing food inflation, reviewing taxes and duties at the ports, and protecting the environment, particularly in addressing the issue of galamsey (illegal mining).

The movement concluded by urging the government to consider its proposed solutions, emphasizing that it is time for action to support Ghana’s development agenda.

By Kingsley Asiedu