In a riveting public address titled “The Real State of the Nation”, Nana Kwame Bediako, leader of the New Force and an independent presidential candidate for the 2024 general elections, delivered a candid and impassioned speech recounting his nationwide tour of 1,248 communities across Ghana.
Nana Bediako detailed the grim realities facing the country, the untapped potential of its regions, and his vision for transformative change.
He began with a deeply personal account of his formative years, highlighting the financial struggles of his single mother and their impact on his perspective.
He described how early challenges shaped his ability to identify problems and seek solutions. “My challenges became my teachers“, he said, emphasizing that these life lessons inspired him to think beyond himself and envision a future of collective prosperity for Ghanaians.
“Problems are natural; solutions are what propel us forward into maturity. Life has guided me to this point. I have a vision and a mission: to redeem this nation, uplift its people, and rebuild a country that has struggled to find its footing”.
Nana Kwame Bediako, Leader of the New Force and Independent Presidential Candidate for the 2024 general elections
A Tour That Exposed Ghana’s Realities
Reflecting on his extensive tour, Nana Bediako recounted his encounters with extreme poverty, environmental degradation, and systemic neglect. He expressed profound frustration with the entrenched political culture of prioritizing party interests over citizens’ welfare.
“Politicians invest in themselves and their parties, not in the people, I chose to invest in the people instead of billboards and flags. I gave families farms, bicycles, and opportunities to create their businesses. I saw firsthand how these small interventions ignited hope in communities”.
Nana Kwame Bediako, Leader of the New Force and Independent Presidential Candidate for the 2024 general elections
He highlighted specific regions to illustrate the disparities and untapped potential in Ghana: In the Eastern Region, Nana Bediako noted that in Nsawam Aduogyiri, he met one Mr George, an 80-year-old blind man who had lived without electricity for 65 years.
He criticized successive governments’ failures to create equal opportunities for all citizens to benefit. He also emphasized the Afram Plains’ vast potential to feed the African continent but decried the poverty that continues to plague its people.
In the Ashanti Region, Nana Kwame Bediako described the region as rich in resources such as cocoa and gold, yet weighed down by poverty. He proposed innovative projects, including dredging rivers to bring the sea to Kumasi for logistics and irrigation, to unleash the region’s economic potential.
Additionally, he observed similar challenges and opportunities in the Bono Region, noting that industrialization could transform these areas into thriving hubs.
A Bold Vision for Economic Liberation
The founder and leader of the New Force, Nana Kwame Bediako criticized Ghana’s failure to harness its resources effectively, asserting that the nation’s economic woes stem from a lack of innovative leadership and vision.
“We have allowed poverty to define us instead of harnessing the wealth of our land“, he said. He outlined his 12-pillar plan, emphasizing industrialization, regional development, and empowerment through agriculture and entrepreneurship.
Among his proposals, he cited success stories from his philanthropic initiatives, including fish farming in Ada, guinea fowl rearing, and avocado and coconut farming. These projects, he argued, could serve as models for nationwide economic ventures.
“Imagine a Ghana where every region contributes to the economy’s success”, he envisioned. In his closing remarks, Nana Kwame Bediako declared that the “real state of the nation” is one of struggle but also of immense potential.
He urged Ghanaians to reject the status quo and embrace a future of economic independence and innovation. “I have seen the pain and deprivation, but I have also seen the opportunities. It is time to rebuild,” he stated.
He called on citizens to support his vision, emphasizing that his leadership would focus on the people, not partisan politics. “I am not here to enrich myself or a party. I am here to uplift you”.
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