The New Force political party has presented its economic agenda titled “The 12 Pillars for Economic Freedom,” attracting significant attention in Ghana and beyond.
Popularly known as Cheddar, the leader of the party, Nana Kwame Bediako, outlined the plan during a virtual policy launch on Sunday, September 1, 2024. This agenda has been described by many as distinct from traditional party policies.
Digital copies of the “12 Pillars for Economic Freedom” are available for download.
One of the key components is the “16 Regional Industrial Revolution,” aimed at industrializing each of Ghana’s regions. This initiative involves the construction of manufacturing, processing, and refining plants to utilize the country’s mineral and agricultural resources. According to Nana Kwame Bediako, the initiative is expected to create 800,000 jobs annually, with a target of 8 million jobs over the next decade.
You can get copies of the 12 pillars of economic freedom also from his official website: nkb.com.gh
The party’s infrastructure plans include the Water Transportation and Sub-Regional Railway project, which proposes dredging waterways and creating a network of canals and inland harbours. This would be complemented by an 8,000-kilometer railway system to link Ghana with neighbouring countries, positioning the country as a distribution hub in West Africa and enhancing trade.
Energy diversification is another focus of the agenda. The Energy City and Technology Hub aims to develop solar, wind, thermal, hydro, and nuclear power to meet Ghana’s energy needs and position the country as an energy exporter.
The plan also introduces a “Tax Reserves” policy, which requires multinational companies extracting resources from Ghana to pay taxes in raw materials, contributing to the country’s reserves. These reserves would be managed by a National Sovereign Wealth Fund (NSWF) to finance national projects and reduce reliance on international financial institutions.
Other pillars of the agenda include:
- SSNIT Revolution: Reform of the pension system to allow contributors earlier access to funds for education, healthcare, and accommodation.
- Industrication: A policy merging industrial training with academic learning while adjusting curricula to suit local needs.
- Environmental and Human Rights Protection: Provisions for stricter environmental regulations and protection of civil liberties.
- Apostolic Governance (The 12 Ministries): A streamlined government structure with 12 ministries, each responsible for implementing one of the 12 Pillars.
- Raising Ghana’s First $50 Billion: A citizenship-by-investment initiative to attract investment for the industrial revolution.
- National Security and Data Sovereignty: Policies focusing on state-of-the-art national security and data protection measures.
- Sports and Creative Arts: Plans for regional sports academies, a film studio, and an arts gallery to promote Ghanaian talent globally.
The proposals have sparked discussions, with commentators comparing the agenda to those of other political parties. Some have noted the scope of the reforms and their potential impact on the country’s future.
