1 vision statement by wa senior high school
1 VISION STATEMENT BY WA SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
“HOW I WANT GHANA TO BE IN THE NEXT 40 YEARS” Delivered by Nuhu Abdul Rashid Date: 8th October 2015 Venue: GNAT Hall, Wa ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mr. Chairman, Distinguished guests, All protocols duly observed; I am glad to be given the opportunity to contribute to the dialogue of Ghana’s development path into the future. For Ghana to attain the heights of development, with a rapid transformational economy, and in a sustainable fashion, certain bold, decisive and visionary measures must be adopted, including the following: AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT Not long ago, it was estimated that 60 percent of the Ghanaian population was engaged in agricultural activities. It comes therefore as no surprise when some people refer the sector as the backbone of our economy. However, resources should be channeled into research to discover new plant varieties in order to increase productivity. Another issue is that we largely depend on natural rains to farm. In view of the growing effects of climate change on weather patterns, there’s the need to boost irrigation by constructing dams in all the districts of the country to have year-round farming. Mr. Chairman, There needs to be the right type of fertilisers available at the right price and at the right time. It is sad and shameful the level of post-harvest losses recorded in this country year in year out. To arrest this situation going forward, the government must improve rural infrastructure in order to reduce in transport time and cost and loss of perishable produce. Meanwhile, providing better incentives to farmers will help increase agricultural output and boost exports. PRUDENT ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT According to figures from the Bank of Ghana, the country’s total debt stock stands at GH¢94.5 billion, representing 70.9 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). The IMF is REGIONAL CONSULTATION ON THE LONG-TERM NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN Vision Statement by Wa Senior High School ©NDPC, 8th October 2015
2 projecting that Ghana will end the year 2015 with a 75 percent debt-to-GDP ratio. This should naturally send shivers down the spine of any well-meaning Ghanaian. No country can develop with such a debt stock. For Ghana to build a strong foundation that can rapidly transform the fortunes of the country, it requires a leadership that can manage the economy with discipline, vision and innovation. Ladies and gentlemen, we can’t always go around the world with cup in hand begging for alms to develop our nation. The fiscal indiscipline resulting in wanton indebtedness has almost become an accepted norm. For instance, we lack the moral courage as a people to expose bribery and corruption. I want to see a Ghana where the national cake can be share equitably by all citizens and not milked by few selfish officials. If we want to discipline ourselves and get rid of even 50 percent of the leakages and blatant rot in our institutions, we will then be making headway. Stringent disciplinary sanctions must be put in place to deal with the high levels of corruption in our society. EDUCATION AND HEALTH Ladies and gentlemen, The quality of development of any nation to a very large extent depends on the quality of available skilled human resources. I expect a great premium to be put on educating the young ones of today. Planning a future of opportunities and prosperity should be hinged on a policy of education for all, with provision of basic infrastructure and tools for education. Every child in Ghana, rich or poor, able-bodied or physically challenged, deserves a good education. Any attempt at developing the country in the future must include transforming the knowledge and skill base of the youth. Higher priority should be given to technical education as well. A healthy nation is often said to be a wealthy nation. Better health is central to human happiness and wellbeing. It makes an important contribution to economic progress, as healthy population live longer, are more productive and save more. Access to health care delivery should be without any hindrance whatsoever. Ghana in the not too distance future should have health facilities in every district. The national health insurance authority should be financed adequately to provide quality services for all. Ghana is for all of us and its development should be of concern to us all. Thus is not the time to wear our party colours, nor our regional lenses. This is the time for all hands to be on deck to propel the nation to the level of development we all envisage. I thank you all for your attention. God bless us all and God our homeland Ghana.
REGIONAL CONSULTATION ON THE LONG-TERM NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN Vision Statement by Wa Senior High School ©NDPC, 8th October 2015
“HOW I WANT GHANA TO BE IN THE NEXT 40 YEARS” Delivered by Nuhu Abdul Rashid Date: 8th October 2015 Venue: GNAT Hall, Wa ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mr. Chairman, Distinguished guests, All protocols duly observed; I am glad to be given the opportunity to contribute to the dialogue of Ghana’s development path into the future. For Ghana to attain the heights of development, with a rapid transformational economy, and in a sustainable fashion, certain bold, decisive and visionary measures must be adopted, including the following: AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT Not long ago, it was estimated that 60 percent of the Ghanaian population was engaged in agricultural activities. It comes therefore as no surprise when some people refer the sector as the backbone of our economy. However, resources should be channeled into research to discover new plant varieties in order to increase productivity. Another issue is that we largely depend on natural rains to farm. In view of the growing effects of climate change on weather patterns, there’s the need to boost irrigation by constructing dams in all the districts of the country to have year-round farming. Mr. Chairman, There needs to be the right type of fertilisers available at the right price and at the right time. It is sad and shameful the level of post-harvest losses recorded in this country year in year out. To arrest this situation going forward, the government must improve rural infrastructure in order to reduce in transport time and cost and loss of perishable produce. Meanwhile, providing better incentives to farmers will help increase agricultural output and boost exports. PRUDENT ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT According to figures from the Bank of Ghana, the country’s total debt stock stands at GH¢94.5 billion, representing 70.9 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). The IMF is REGIONAL CONSULTATION ON THE LONG-TERM NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN Vision Statement by Wa Senior High School ©NDPC, 8th October 2015
2 projecting that Ghana will end the year 2015 with a 75 percent debt-to-GDP ratio. This should naturally send shivers down the spine of any well-meaning Ghanaian. No country can develop with such a debt stock. For Ghana to build a strong foundation that can rapidly transform the fortunes of the country, it requires a leadership that can manage the economy with discipline, vision and innovation. Ladies and gentlemen, we can’t always go around the world with cup in hand begging for alms to develop our nation. The fiscal indiscipline resulting in wanton indebtedness has almost become an accepted norm. For instance, we lack the moral courage as a people to expose bribery and corruption. I want to see a Ghana where the national cake can be share equitably by all citizens and not milked by few selfish officials. If we want to discipline ourselves and get rid of even 50 percent of the leakages and blatant rot in our institutions, we will then be making headway. Stringent disciplinary sanctions must be put in place to deal with the high levels of corruption in our society. EDUCATION AND HEALTH Ladies and gentlemen, The quality of development of any nation to a very large extent depends on the quality of available skilled human resources. I expect a great premium to be put on educating the young ones of today. Planning a future of opportunities and prosperity should be hinged on a policy of education for all, with provision of basic infrastructure and tools for education. Every child in Ghana, rich or poor, able-bodied or physically challenged, deserves a good education. Any attempt at developing the country in the future must include transforming the knowledge and skill base of the youth. Higher priority should be given to technical education as well. A healthy nation is often said to be a wealthy nation. Better health is central to human happiness and wellbeing. It makes an important contribution to economic progress, as healthy population live longer, are more productive and save more. Access to health care delivery should be without any hindrance whatsoever. Ghana in the not too distance future should have health facilities in every district. The national health insurance authority should be financed adequately to provide quality services for all. Ghana is for all of us and its development should be of concern to us all. Thus is not the time to wear our party colours, nor our regional lenses. This is the time for all hands to be on deck to propel the nation to the level of development we all envisage. I thank you all for your attention. God bless us all and God our homeland Ghana.
REGIONAL CONSULTATION ON THE LONG-TERM NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN Vision Statement by Wa Senior High School ©NDPC, 8th October 2015
