Flagbearer of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Dr. Edward Mahama, has described the use of Ghana’s oil revenue by the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) on the senior national team, the Black Stars as unwise, saying he will use Ghana’s oil revenue more judiciously should he be elected President. Responding to a question on the diversification of oil revenue at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) Evening Encounter Series on Tuesday, Dr. Mahama noted that, he will focus the oil revenue on priority areas like capacity building and agriculture.
He said his government would use some of the money “for capacity building which is already in the law, but the capacity building that we are doing is not where I think it should go; that is the 18 to 35 year olds.” “Some of that money should even go into agriculture to encourage young people to go into it like I did at 27,” Dr. Mahama added. He then took a swipe at the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation’s (GNPC) sponsorship of the Black Stars describing such uses of the oil revenue as unwise.
According to him, “When GNPC gives money for Black Stars, I really don’t think it is a wise use of it because without that money, we would have another way of funding it. So yes, I think I will redirect that money. So it is a matter of redirecting that chunk of money that is supposed to be used,” the PNC flagbearer added. GNPC sponsorship of Black Stars The Black Stars landed a sponsorship deal from the GNPC as it became their headline sponsor with a reported $3 million pact over a five-year period. The sponsorship period has seen regular financial packages from the corporation awarded to the Stars.
In 2015 for instance, the GNPC awarded each Black Star player US$25,000 for achieving a silver medal feat at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. I’ll be responsible if elected – Edward Mahama Dr. Mahama, who spoke on several issues ranging from education, health, economy unemployment and corruption among others, said the PNDC remains the best alternative to turn around the fortunes of the country. He explained that his desire to become President is borne out of his ability to take personal responsibility for his actions and contempt for wrongdoing in Ghana.
Dr. Mahama bemoaned the extent to which Ghana’s weak systems have failed to address the canker of corruption, explaining that, unlike other countries where some Presidents had to step down for being involved in one corrupt practice or the other, the situation is totally different in Ghana. Ghana can rise again Mr. Mahama was however quick to add that, the PNC is devising a detailed manifesto which contains solutions that will address corruption and ensure growth and sustainable development of the country.
He stated that, the country can rise again if Ghanaians will make a decision “to go for the PNC” in the November polls. “Working together, Ghana can rise again. Let’s go for the PNC. We have a unique and inspiring preposition to transform the fortunes of this country. The new beginnings, the new deal, the new force”.
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Source: Citifmonline.com
