Friendly hostilities between the four men vying for Ghana’s top job is in full swing and the two main contenders, the NDC’s John Mahama and the NPP’s Nana Akufo-Addo are trading jabs as expected.
The four are Presidential Candidates whose parties have representation in Parliament are making frantic efforts to woo independent voters by extolling the virtues of their proposals whilst pooh-pooing those of their contenders.
They are proffering solutions to the challenges facing the country.
Incumbent President John Mahama of the National Democratic Congress, the New Patriotic Party’s Nana Akufo-Addo, the Convention Peoples Party’s Dr Abu Sakara and Hassan Ayariga of the People’s National Convention are engaged in the last battle of wits, words and figures in the last presidential debate before the election on December 7.
Myjoyonline.com.com will bring you live streaming and updates of the Presidential Debate
Already Joy News Editor Samson Lardy Ayenini who is present at the Banquet Hall of the State House, venue for the debate reports of bubbling excitement.
At 1831 GMT the candidates he reports are yet to arrive but the dignitaries have taken their seats already.
Science and technology
Abu Sakara:
There is a gap in science and technology in the country which is affecting our national development.
Promises to establish a 10 million research fund targeted at the study of science and technology and ensure that findings would be implemented.
So far as education is concerned, emphasis would be placed on technical and vocational training, and given the attention that it deserves.
Make polytechnics more robust to produce the skilled graduates needed to develop the nation.
John Maham Mahama:
Ministry of science and technology would be maintained as one ministry and given the needed backing.
Government rolling out various interventions to boost science and technology like clinics for girls.
Awards given to people in the area of science and technologies as well as giving scholarships to students. 5,000 given so far and would be increased to 10,000.
66,000 laptops have been distributed, and plans are far advanced to distribute 400,000 more to schools.
Nana Addo:
Teachers would be well trained by expanding capacities of training colleges to go into science and technology.
He deplores the lack of laboratory equipment in training colleges, saying it is a disincentive to teaching of science and technology.
Revisit the initial idea behind the establishment of the KNUST, which was intended to look like MIT.
Hassan Ayariga:
Change curricula of education, especially at the KNUST and bemoans the fact that elevators in the school are broken and yet the students are not able to fix them.
He also decries the neglect of industrialist Safo KantanKa by the NPP and NDC. He would be given the necessary support to train students, and ensure that students come out of schools more creative.
Oil (exploration)
Ayariga:
Review the oil agreements, drawing inspiration from Rawlings who reviewed the Valco contract to maximize profit for the nation in the early 90s.
Exploration of oil and gas to be extended to other areas of the country. Assured that industries and agriculture would be given the need attention.
Nana Addo:
Kufuor government took the best strategies by bringing in investors who came with their own money and equipment to explore oil in the country.
We should not continue to export crude just like we have been exporting other raw materials. Industrialization and value addition would be integral part in managing our resources.
Develop the human resources to develop the nation – life after oil production.
John Mahama:
Paid tribute to the PNDC for establishing GNPC which started exploratory works in the country.
Jubilee field founded under former President Kufuor but since 2009, 16 new discoveries were made under Mills.
Necessary legislative frameworks put in place to manage the oil sector, more are being enacted.
Increase the capacity of human resources and pass the Local Content bill.
Decentralization
John:
Decentralization is already in progress under the NDC government. Administratively, there has been transfer of personnel from civil service to local government service. About 2600 staff recruited for posting to various institutions at the local level. Local institutions would be given the power to hire personnel themselves.
Nana
Decentralization is all about devolution of power. He would ensure that education and health which is critical is address at the local level with adequate institutions in charge. More power would be given to institutions at the local level to handle critical issues at the local level.
Ayariga:
Encourage investors to make good use of lands lying fallow and labour in the regions as well as resources in their respective areas. Decentralizing and moving industries to the regions would minimize the movement of labour from north to south.
Sakara:
Decentralization taken long because central government does not want to relinquish power, hence the piecemeal approach to it. His government would be robust in ensuring that decentralization is implemented fully.
Rebuttals
John Mahama
The frivolous cancellation of contracts is the problem that has led to the issue of judgment debt and not the payment of it.
Dr Abu Sakara
There appears to be no commitment by the NPP and NDC to pass the Freedom of Information Bill.
Nana Addo
There appears to be an official collusion to take monies out of public purse. That is the fraud we are talking about and not the ordinary payment of judgement debts.
John Mahama
Judgement debts are adjudications by a court of law. It is what causes judgement debt that must be tackled. Nana Addo as a lawyer must know this. We must not rumour corruption but must stand against it and be prepared to hold people accountable. Expand resourcing to institutions that fight corruption.
Nana Akufo-Addo
Set a good example if you want to fight corruption. I have never been corrupt. Strengthen the agencies that fight corruption. The remit of CHRAJ is too large and another institution must deal with corruption specific. Famous dubious judgement debt have been paid under this government. The leadership will not countenance corruption
Hassan Ayariga
PNC will not countenance corruption. It will support institutions that fight corruption. Hassan will lead by example and not be like Nana Addo who was in office when ex-president John Kufuor of the NPP justified corruption. In dealing with corruption the law will be no respecter of persons.
Dr Abu Sakara
Complaints office will be set up to take information on corruption. Ensure we take steps to recover the benefits of corruption and recover assets stolen and brought back into the public purse.
Ques.2 What step to take to address corruption in Ghana?
Nana Akufo-Addo
The security of our people is a fundamental requirement. Surprised to hear there is a drop in crime. Armed robbery is on the increase. There shall Comprehensive response. There shall be the strengthening of the police force. 1:1000 in our country when the UN calls for 1;50. Ministry of Justice need to be strengthened. An expanded economy will mean the interest for armed robbery will reduce
Hassan Ayariga
Modernise armed forces and police and tool them with the latest weapons. Equip them to police our bodies. Ensure a proportion of one police officer to 300 people.
Dr Abu Sakara
A CPP government will undertake massive institutional reforms in the security agencies. It will also ensure attitudinal change among Ghanaians and provide the necessary equipment to the security officers.
President John Mahama
There is a drop in armed robbery activities in the country. We have provided logistics for training. We have increased the number of personnel with 4000 new officers. There has also been the increase in funding for Narcotics in Ghana.
Ques. How do you tackle armed robbery and general security issues in the country?
Rules of debate
There shall be three segments each with four questions. Each candidate will attempt the same question and will have three minutes to answer the question.
There shall be no applause. No photographs and mobile phones are allowed.
1922 The head of the IEA Jeane Mensah takes over for a short welcome address and to spell out the core value of the IEA Debate.
1921 A minute silence is observed in honour of the passing of the ex-vice president Alhaji Aliu Mahama.
1919 Rev Asante Antwi Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church opens the debate with a prayer.
1918 The candidates take to the podium as the National Anthem is sang.
1915 The four candidates are ushered into the banquet hall by flute blowing young girls