A Policy to Establish a State Assets Registry : 2024 NDC Manifesto

As Ghana approaches the 2024 general elections, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) at its Manifesto Launch at Winneba, has unveiled key policy proposals aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability in governance.

Among these proposals is the establishment of a comprehensive State Assets Registry, an initiative articulated by the party’s flagbearer, Mr. John Dramani Mahama. He stressed that this policy seeks to consolidate all state assets into a single, detailed document, enabling better management and oversight of public resources.

The Rationale Behind the State Assets Registry

Mr. Mahama emphasized the importance of this registry in ensuring that every government is held accountable for the state assets it manages during its tenure. The motivation for this policy stems from the recurring challenge faced by incoming administrations in obtaining a clear, accurate account of the assets they inherit.

According to Mr. Mahama, the lack of a comprehensive registry has often led to difficulties in tracking state assets and ensuring their proper utilization, thereby compromising the efficiency and transparency of governance.

In his address at the 2024 NDC Manifesto launch, Mr. Mahama stressed the necessity of implementing a policy that compiles all state assets into a single, accessible document. Such a registry would serve as a reference point for the evaluation of government performance, particularly in the handover process between outgoing and incoming administrations.

This move, he argued, would contribute significantly to the establishment of a culture of accountability, where every government is obligated to provide a transparent account of the assets under its control before leaving office.

The Scope of the State Assets Registry

Mr. Mahama indicated that the proposed State Assets Registry is envisioned to be a comprehensive document covering a wide range of sectors that are critical to the nation’s economy and social infrastructure. Mr. Mahama outlined several key sectors and the specific entities within them that would be included in this registry:

Energy Sector

1. Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC): Responsible for oil and gas exploration, development, and production.
2. Volta River Authority (VRA): Oversees hydroelectric power generation.
3. Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo): Manages electricity transmission across the country.
4. Tema Oil Refinery (TOR): Handles oil refining operations.
5. Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG): Distributes electricity to consumers.
6. Bui Power Authority (BPA): Manages and operates the Bui Dam, another hydroelectric power source.

Water and Utilities Sector

1. Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL): Manages urban water supply.
2. Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA): Provides rural water supply and sanitation services.

Transport and Infrastructure Sector

1. Ghana Airports Company Limited (GACL): Manages airport operations across the country.
2. Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA): Oversees port management and operations.
3. Ghana Railway Company Limited (GRCL): Manages the national railway network.
4. Metro Mass Transit (MMT): Provides public bus transportation services across various regions.

Agriculture Sector

1. Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD): Oversees cocoa production, processing, and marketing.
2. Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA): Manages irrigation projects to support agricultural activities.

Broadcasting and Media Sector

1. Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC): Provides state broadcasting services, including television and radio.
2. Graphic Communications Group Limited: A leading state-owned publishing company that produces newspapers and other print media.

Social Security and Insurance Sector

1. Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT): Manages pension funds and social security benefits.
2. National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA): Oversees the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), which provides healthcare coverage to citizens.

Mining Sector

1. Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC): Develops Ghana’s integrated aluminum industry, including bauxite mining and aluminum production.
2. Ghana National Gas Company (GNGC): Manages the processing and transportation of natural gas for energy production.

Finance and Banking Sector

1. Bank of Ghana (BoG): The central bank responsible for monetary policy, currency issuance, and financial regulation.
2. Agricultural Development Bank (ADB): A state-owned bank focused on providing financial services to the agricultural sector.

Education Sector

1. Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund): A public trust fund supporting educational infrastructure and scholarships.

Land and Natural Resources Sector

1. Forestry Commission of Ghana: Manages the protection, development, and conservation of Ghana’s forest resources.
2. Lands Commission: Oversees public lands and provides services related to land administration.
3. Minerals Commission: Regulates and manages mineral resources in Ghana.
4. Ghana Geological Survey Authority (GGSA): Conducts geological surveys and manages the country’s mineral resources.
5. Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA): Coordinates development efforts in the Northern Savannah Ecological Zone.
6. Ghana Rubber Estates Limited (GREL): Engages in the cultivation and processing of natural rubber.
7. Ghana Manganese Company Limited (GMC): Involved in the mining and export of manganese.

Sports Sector

National Sports Authority (NSA): Oversees the development and management of sports facilities and programs for the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) and Ghana Athletics Association (GAA).

Security Sector

Responsible for maintaining law and order, including crime prevention and investigation including their assests for the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) and National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO).

The proposal to establish a State Assets Registry is a bold step towards enhancing the transparency and accountability of government operations in Ghana, Mahama concluded.

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