The New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Sunday launched its 2016 manifesto to massive fanfare at the Trade Fair Centre in Accra.
Led by flagbearer, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the party outlined its plans for the nation, vowing to reverse what it called the monumental eight-year failure of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) by undertaking a massive industrialisation of the country if it wins power in December.
The NPP's plan is hinged on making the private sector stronger and more viable as the biggest job creator in the country.
The party plans to achieve that by reducing taxes, reducing charges at the ports, making lands for setting up companies accessible to the private sector and also establishing an industrial development fund.
Below are the highlights of the manifesto:
a) The next NPP government will construct new harbours at James Town and Keta.
(b) The next NPP government will provide Freedom Cards to the aged to have free access to all public transportation and other public facilities.
(c) The next NPP government will restore, in full, teacher and nurse trainee allowances in the first-quarter in office.
(d) The next NPP government will build an Accident and Emergency centre in Takoradi.
(e) The next NPP government will abolish the payment of utility bills by students, right after assumption of office.
(f) The next NPP government will pass a legislation to ensure that at least 20% of road contracts awarded to foreign contractors are sub-contracted to local contractors.
(g) The next NPP government will increase the amount of loans under the student loan scheme and restructure and streamline its administration to enhance recovery of the loans.
(h) The next NPP government will immediately, right after assumption of office, reduce taxes on electricity tarrifs to provide immediate relief to households and industries.
(I) The NPP government will establish a factory in every district to create more employment tor the youth
(J) In the three regions up north, an irrigation dam will be built for every district.