Bright Simons Urges Strategic Transition and Reforms Ahead of NDC Government Takeover
Bright Simons, Honorary Vice President of IMANI Africa and founder of mPedigree, has outlined critical expectations for President-elect John Mahama and the incoming National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.
Speaking in an interview with JoyNews, Mr Simons emphasized the need for reforms in governance, fiscal prudence, and legislative priorities as Ghana transitions to a new administration.
Parliamentary Leadership and Legislative Focus
Mr Simons called for bipartisan cooperation in parliamentary leadership, urging the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to abandon “needless controversies” over parliamentary roles and adopt a co-leadership structure to facilitate legislative business.
He also highlighted the need for thorough reviews of key agreements, such as lithium and bauxite concessions, to ensure alignment with Ghana’s long-term economic goals.
Critical Governance Issues
Mr Simons further identified unresolved matters requiring immediate attention and called for conclusive investigations into land controversies like the Achimota Forest case, the Forest Commission’s land dealings, and other state land allocations.
He also urged the outgoing NPP government to address these issues to ensure a smooth transition and accountability.
Civil Society and Governance Advocacy
Acknowledging the role of civil society as a “permanent opposition,” he stressed the importance of fostering accountability within the incoming administration.
Noting that the NPP had historically supported civil society initiatives more effectively than the NDC and expressed hope for renewed advocacy efforts.
Fiscal Prudence and Digitalization
Speaking further, Mr Simons advised the incoming government to critically assess and reallocate resources from inefficient projects, such as the Kelni GVG and Common Platform contracts, to finance essential programs like Free Senior High School (Free SHS).
Addressing the sustainability of Free SHS, he underscored the resource constraints underpinning the policy’s challenges, recommending the reallocation of funds from poorly managed initiatives to sustain the program.
Mr Simons concluded by emphasizing the need for strategic planning and transparency to ensure the success of the new administration while addressing Ghana’s persistent governance and economic issues.
