Flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has assured members of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) that the next NDC government will work to revamp strategic industries such as Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO).
The leader of the NDC, in a meeting with the Council for AGI in Accra, said his government will “give priority procurement to Ghanaian businesses” in terms of budget spending.
The former president said, “We will work to revamp and reignite strategic industries such as the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO) while boosting the production of rice, sugar, tomato, fish, poultry, meat and meat products, vegetable cooking oil and pharmaceutical products.”
He added that the government will place restrictions on “unbridled importation” to provide the necessary market for goods and services for the members of the association.
“Once local capacity in the production of these and many other products is achieved, we shall place restrictions on the unbridled importation.”
Mr. Mahama also stressed that under his proposed 24-hour economy, critical public sectors will be made to run 24 hours around the clock to provide the needed support to businesses.
“Under the 24-hour economy, my government will work to ensure that critical public sector services are provided round the clock to support businesses.”
He continued that key sectors of the economy will also run a 24-hour system as the government will provide the necessary measures such as security and power, to ensure the policy thrives.
“In addition to providing a safe and secure environment for business transactions 24 hours through adequate street lighting and security patrols, there will be 24-hour operation at the ports, the Lands Commission, the Office of the Registrar of Companies, our Courts among other critical public sectors that must operate 24 hours to support businesses.”
The NDC 2024 presidential candidate urged the industry players to “put all our political differences aside and work to build the Ghana we want together,” adding, “for our economic woes know no party colour.”
People also read:
- We must change our economy from import dependency to export driven – Mahama
- High cost of utility tariffs has rendered businesses non-competitive – Mahama