The Progressive Alliance for Ghana (PAG) has urged Ghanaians to strive for economic self-reliance, industrialisation, and greater citizen ownership of the country's productive economy. This call was made in commemoration of the 117th birth anniversary of Ghana's first Prime Minister and President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. According to PAG, celebrating Nkrumah's life and legacy should provoke reflection on the kind of Ghana being built for future generations.
PAG's Flagbearer, Apostle Dr. John Enyonam Kpikpi, issued a statement highlighting the importance of Nkrumah's vision for Ghana's economic independence. The party noted that Nkrumah recognised the limitations of political independence without economic independence. To achieve this, Ghana needs to build productive capacity, educate its citizens, industrialise, and utilise its natural resources to improve living standards.
The party emphasised the need for Ghana to rethink its approach to education and skills development to prepare young people for the changing world of work. PAG called for greater emphasis on technical and vocational education, digital skills, entrepreneurship, apprenticeships, agriculture, manufacturing, mining services, and the emerging green-energy economy. This, they believe, will equip young Ghanaians to create and manage productive enterprises.
PAG advocates for cooperative ownership as a means of expanding economic ownership among farmers, small-scale miners, artisans, and young entrepreneurs. Well-organised and accountable cooperatives can improve access to finance, technology, markets, machinery, and processing facilities. In agriculture, cooperative structures can help farmers aggregate production, access inputs and equipment, improve storage and processing, and secure better markets.
The party also called for a shift from exporting raw materials towards greater domestic processing and value addition. PAG cited gold, bauxite, manganese, lithium, oil, gas, and agricultural commodities as resources that should contribute more directly to industrial transformation. If Ghana mines lithium, it must think beyond exporting ore and strengthen its refining and downstream industries.
PAG placed reliable and affordable energy at the centre of its proposed development agenda. The party believes Ghana needs an energy strategy capable of supporting households, agriculture, manufacturing, mining, and technology. This strategy will ensure that the country's energy needs are met, and its economic growth is sustained.
The Progressive Alliance for Ghana's call for economic self-reliance and industrialisation is a timely reminder of the country's development priorities. As Ghana continues to commemorate Dr. Nkrumah's legacy, the party's proposals are expected to contribute to the national debate on the country's economic future.
Key points
- PAG calls for greater emphasis on technical and vocational education to equip young people for the changing world of work.
- The party advocates for cooperative ownership to expand economic ownership among farmers, small-scale miners, artisans, and young entrepreneurs.
- PAG proposes a shift from exporting raw materials towards greater domestic processing and value addition.
