With the next presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled to take place in December 2020, voters will either elect a new president and vice-president or re-elect the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The campaign for who to win the elections will intensify in 2020 as the New Patriotic Party (NPP) prepares to challenge other opposition parties especially the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to retain power.
However, Ghanaians will not be easily cajoled by unrealistic campaign promises aimed at influencing which party they vote for.
Ghanaians by far, have become discerning and politically aware, and for many, the government must fix the economy which affects everyday bread and butter needs and basic social amenities.
Hopefully, the NPP may get to fix these things before Ghanaians go to the polls.
1. Fix the Cedi depreciation against other currencies especially the dollar.
The New Patriotic Party led by President Nana Akufo-Addo must address the falling cedi which affects the prices of goods and services, especially goods imported into the country.
The local currency is currently GHC 5 as against the United States (US) dollar which has a great impact on business.
2. Security
Another important social issue that the Nana Addo-led government must fix to retain power in 2020 is the safety of the ordinary Ghanaian.
Two years into the presidency of Nana Akufo-Addo was characterised by some level of tensions owing to murders of Ghanaians including investigative journalist, Ahmed Hussein-Suale.
The security of the Ghanaian is a huge political statement that the NDC will capitalise on should the government fail to address it going into 2020.
3. Corruption
Critical to the bread and butter issues affecting Ghanaians is the canker of corruption which depletes national resources including the taxes paid by Ghanaians to the state.
Perceptions are still rife that the ruling government has not been able to effectively deal with corruption.
Indeed, President Nana Akufo-Addo has earned the accolade as a clearing agent, which is, he has become a leader who investigates and clears government appointees alleged to have engaged in acts of corruption.
President Akufo-Addo must ensure that persons who engage in corruption are not only investigated but also prosecuted.
4. Roads, Water, Electricity and Traffic
These three social amenities affects the daily lives of the ordinary Ghanaian. Bad roads mean drivers will avoid arears with bad roads even if this affects market women who have to travel into the major cities to conduct business.
The NPP government must also work on rural electrification expansion for other Ghanaians in underserved communities to enjoy a piece of the national cake. Recurrent dumsor and water shortages in almost every part of the country must be addressed because this affects businesses.
Also important is the issue of traffic which affects productivity and income generations. Government should invest in other transport means to help reduce traffic on our roads.
5. Jobs
While the NPP has created jobs through the Nation Builders Corps (NaBCO) and other social intervention programmes, the government must do more to address youth unemployment which also poses as a national security threat if not tackled.
President Nana Akufo-Addo and the ministries charged to create jobs must as a matter of urgency, address the issue moving into election 2020. While at these, the government must also address the health needs of Ghanaians.
Source: Yen.com.gh
