Ghana’s political landscape has been set ablaze with excitement as “The 12 Pillars for Economic Freedom,” the transformative agenda of the New Force, continue to trigger an unprecedented wave of enthusiasm across the nation and beyond.
Nana Kwame Bediako, the charismatic and dynamic leader of the New Force, unveiled these pillars in an unprecedented virtual policy launch on Sunday, 1st September, 2024. The comprehensive plan, distinct from traditional party policies, has drawn praise for its boldness and innovative approach to national development.
At the heart of the New Force’s vision lies the audacious “16 Regional Industrial Revolution,” a masterplan to industrialize each of Ghana’s regions by building manufacturing, processing and refining plants to harness their vast mineral and agricultural resources, estimated to be worth trillions of dollars. According to Nana Kwame Bediako, this industrial initiative will create 800,000 high-value jobs a year, amounting to over 8 million jobs within a decade.
The New Force’s infrastructure plans are equally ambitious. The Water Transportation and Sub-Regional Railway agenda will dredge waterways to create a network of canals and inland harbours. This will be complemented by an extensive 8,000-kilometer railway system connecting Ghana to neighbouring countries, positioning the country as a major distribution hub in West Africa and dramatically boosting trade and economic growth.
Energy diversification is also a key focus. Under the Energy City and Technology Hub, there are plans for solar, wind, thermal, hydro, and more importantly, nuclear power. This energy policy aims to not only meet Ghana’s growing energy needs but also establish the country as a leading energy exporter and technology hub in Africa.
The New Force’s economic policies are designed to ensure long-term stability and growth. For instance, the innovative “Tax Reserves” policy under the Reserves, Reserves, Reserves would require multinational companies extracting Ghana’s resources to pay taxes in raw materials, bolstering the county’s reserves of oil, gold, and other mineral resources. A National Sovereign Wealth Fund (NSWF) would manage these reserves and finance national projects, eliminating dependency on international financial institutions like the World Bank and IMF.
The other pillars highlighted by Nana Kwame Bediako on Sunday are:
- The SSNIT Revolution, which aims to reform Ghana’s pension system to allow contributors earlier access to their funds for education, healthcare and accommodation.
- “Industrication,” a policy which will merge industrial training with academic learning and “de-westernize” the academic curricula.
- Environmental and Human Rights Protection, which will see the implantation of stringent regulations to protect the environment and civil liberties.
- The Apostolic Governance (The 12 Ministries), a move to create a lean government by reducing the number of ministries to twelve, each with a mandate to implement one of the 12 Pillars.
- Raising Ghana’s First $50 Billion, a citizenship-by-investment package to attract investment while supporting the broader industrial revolution.
- National Security and Data Sovereignty, a commitment to robust, state-of-the-art protections in these areas.
- Sports and the Creative Arts, a plan for investments in regional sports academies, a Hollywood-standard film studio, and an ultramodern arts gallery to showcase Ghanaian talent globally and foster national pride.
Comparisons with other political parties’ policies have highlighted the unique aspects of the New Force’s approach. While traditional parties often focus on short-term solutions or sector-specific improvements, the “12 Pillars for Economic Freedom” present a comprehensive, long-term vision that has been described as “revolutionary” by several commentators. On social media, netizens have engaged in lively debates about the practicality of implementing such wide-ranging reforms, with the vast majority applauding the boldness of the vision.
As the 2024 elections approach, the “12 Pillars for Economic Freedom” have undeniably changed the landscape of political debate in Ghana. By presenting a comprehensive, forward-looking vision, Nana Kwame Bediako and the New Force have challenged other parties to think beyond election cycles and articulate clearer, more ambitious visions for Ghana’s future. As one policy analyst for the New Force puts it, “Even before we go to the polls, our 12 Pillars have already succeeded in one crucial aspect – they’ve made us all think bigger about what’s possible for Ghana.”
Digital copies of “The 12 Pillars for Economic Freedom” are available to download. Click here: https://shorturl.at/7MoN6
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