Draft programme of the Convention People’s Party for work and happiness

Table of contents :
Front Cover
INTRODUCTION
PART

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STANFORD LIBRARIES

BROKENSHA

DRAFT

O PROGRAMME of the

CONVENTION People's PARTY FOR WORK AND HAPPINESS

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IBRARY

TABLE OF CONTENTS Pages

INTRODUCTION

3-7

THE PARTY AND ITS PROBLEMS

7-14

PART TWO PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

National Planning Planning and its Enemies The Party and National Economic Deve lopment Tax Reform

15-18 18-19

19-20 20

.

Agriculture Animal Husbandry and Poultry Production Fish Production and Marketing Forest Husbandry Industrialisation Handicrafts

15-33

.

.

.

Banking and Insurance

20-21

21-22 22–23

23

24 25 25–26

The Post Office Savings Bank

26

Insurance — State Insurance Corporation State Enterprise and Financing

26

State Enterprises Foreign Private Enterprise Enterprises jointly owned by the State and Foreign Private Interests ..

27

27-28

28 28

Pages 28-29

Co -operatives Small-scale

Ghanaian

Private

Personal

Enterprises Transport and Communications

Warehousing .. Workers' Participation in Management Labour Relations

29 29 30 30 30-32

Abolition of Unemployment (Full Employment)

•

.

Civil Service

32 32-33

PART THREE THE SOCIALIST REVOLUTION

Marriage and Divorce Education

Literature and Publishing Dramatic Art and the Cinema

National Languages Culture and Leisure ..

Sport Reform of Law and Correction of Crime Price Control

..

Opportunities for All

3440 34-35 35-36

36–37 37-38 38 38–39 39 39 40 40

PART FOUR INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS United Nations

African Unity Disarmament and World Peace 2

41-47 43-44 44-46 46–47

DRAFT

INTRODUCTION OUR PARTY'S POLICY can be summed up in a single sentence : it is to provide work and conditions of

happiness for every member of our society. If we achieve this, and continue to work for the unity and progress of Africa, we shall be making a positive

contribution to the well-being of the Continent. This is one of our Party's central objectives. 2. Freedom from want and freedom from fear are

essential for the attainment of happiness. Happiness,

however, would be incomplete without the opportunity to lead a full cultural and spiritual life. Our Party's

policy therefore is that no member of our population shall fear he will not have work or sufficient means, or

that he will be neglected in his old age, or be without help in times of sickness. 3. Our Party's policy is that no man shall fear oppression ; that no woman shall be anxious that her child shall not be cared for or educated. Our Party is

determined that all the people of Ghana shall look forward to ever -increasing social benefits and ever

widening opportunities for the enjoyment of leisure and culture .

4. But nothing in this world is achieved without effort. Thus, theattainment of these vital aims of our Party's policy must be worked for, by increasing

greatly and rapidly the greater wealth of the country and seeing to it that this greater wealth is fairly distri

buted among our people. This in turn depends upon the production and productivity of the masses. 5. To attain these ends, our Party which stands dedicated to the service of the people, must have a workable plan and be able to put that plan into operation. 3

6. The Party has always had a consistent theory for

enlarging the country's prosperity, as the outline of our history included in this programme will make clear.

This theory has been tried out in practice duringthe difficult circumstances of the last ten years. The

progress that has been made is indisputable proof of the practicability and correctness of the Party's line.

7. This theory has its basis in the principles upon which the Party is pivoted. What are these principles ? They are :

(1 ) Socialism , because of the heritage of im perialism and colonialism , is the system by which Ghana can progress. ( 2) Socialism can be achieved only by a rapid change in the socio -economic structure of the country. To effect this, it is absolutely

essential to have a strong, stable, firm and highly centralised government. This means that power must be concentrated in the

country's leadership . 8. Imperialism -colonialism left Ghana without the

accumulation of capital in private hands which assisted the Western world to make its industrial revolution .

Only Government therefore can find the means to promote those basic services and industries which are

essential prerequisites to intensive, diversified agricul ture, speedy industrialisation and increased economic

productivity. 9. But Government, for theharmonious implementa tion of its plans, must have the consent of the people. It must rest, therefore, on the firm foundation of mass

support, and the leadership must consult continually with the people to ensure that its policy in all matters is understood and is in accordance with the popular will.

10. This two-way exchange of confidence, especially in the context of our African environment, does not

need the complicated and confused mechanics of multi-party parliamentarianism . 4

11. Independent African States are faced with urgent

and pressing problems of reconstruction, for the solution of which all the available national resources both human and otherwise must be mobilized . This

situation is almost analogous to a state of war and

national emergency which is always met in the older established countries by the formation of coalition or

national governments. Moreover, a multi-party system is entirely alien to the traditional concept of govern ment in African Society. 12. For these reasons, a one party system provides the best answer for the problem of government in Africa. However , a one party system can operate successfully and satisfactorily only in a truly free and independent country. Otherwise, it becomes a dangerous weapon which can be used by the colonialists, neo -colonialists

and their agents in puppet regimes and client States to oppress the masses and subdue the will of the people.

13. This is why our Party supports the struggle of freedom fighters all over the continent and accepts the

view that a resort to force is justified when all other means to end oppression have been tried and have failed

and that, in these circumstances, the colonial regime or a client State based on domination by a minority can justifiably be terminated through armed conflict. 14. Furthermore, a multi -party system provides unique opportunities for imperialism , colonialism and neo

colonialism to intrigue behind the façade of different of parties in order to intervene in the internal affairs

the African States by promoting corruption, tribalism and dissension in the hope of barring progress to full economic independence . Without unfettered economic independence, the safety and security of our national sovereignty and independence will continue to be in

jeopardy. 15. The maintenance of our national independence,

which is a condition for achieving national progress,

depends on a strong and well organised party deeply 5

rooted in the people and embracing popular organisa tions such as the Trade Union Congress, the United Ghana Farmers' Council, the National Council of

Ghana Women , Ghana Young Pioneers and all other bodies concerned with the training of youth. 16. The actions and practices of the Party must be

based on policies founded on a well-defined ideology. Such an ideology has been worked out by Kwame Nkrumah and expounded in his writings and speeches. It is based partly upon a study of the operations of

colonialism and 'neo -colonialism and partly upon the study and application of socialist principles to African conditions. This ideology is known as Nkrumaism which is a guide in our struggle for the total emancipa tion and unity of Africa. 17. Nkrumaism teaches that in Africa to-day it is

totally impossible to make a division between internal policy and foreign policy. For national prosperity and national progress within individual African States at the present stage of historical development depend

largely upon the extent of co -operation between all the states. As long as Africa remains balkanised, no single State upon our continent can be really pros perous. Once Africa is united , no single African State

can fail to share in the increased prosperity that union will bring.

18. Speaking on the eve of Independence, Kwame “ The independence of Ghana is

Nkrumah said :

meaningless unless it is linked up with the total liberation of Africa ” . 19. Nkrumaism teaches that small States are even more vulnerable than the Great Powers to destruction in

a global war and, therefore, all countries , the small no less than the great, must do all they can to secure world peace. This cannot be done by means of passive

neutralism . It has to be achieved through a positive policy of non -alignment, which will provide a bridge

between the world's two great rival power blocs. 6

20. Nkrumaism , which is based on scientific socialism , is all -pervading, and while its theory in full can only be developed in and around the Party leadership, it must influence in some form all education and indeed all

thinking and action. Nkrumaism must be not only a statement of aims and principles. It must also provide the intellectual tool by which these aims are achieved and must concentrate on all constructive thinking around achieving these aims . Nkrumaism must also offer the ordinary man and woman some concrete, tangible and realisable hope of a better life within his or her life time. Nkrumaism poses a full scale

intellectual, educational and organisational attack on colonialism and neo -colonialism , in all their forms and manifestations.

21. Nkrumaism teaches further that non -alignment is a positive policy because it allows the country following

it to maintain its sovereignty by taking a definite and independent stand on international issues. This has a very salutary effect on reducing world tension and

promoting peace by establishing a firm balance between the two Power Blocs .

22 The Party presents this programme to the nation in the knowledge that the time has come to take stock of its past achievements. The Party, therefore, welcomes the frankest and fullest discussion of the programme

recognising the necessity to test theory against experi ence, and to make corrections where necessary. Out of

such exchange of views must come understanding and support of the Party's proposals . This programme will therefore not be issued in its final form until the people

have had the fullest opportunity of reviewing it. 23 On the basis of this party programme, the Govern ment at the beginning of January , 1963, will launch a Seven-Year Plan for the industrial, agricultural and technological advancement of this country, THE PARTY AND ITS PROBLEMS

24. The Convention Peoples' Party was inaugurated on the 12th of June, 1949, at a mass rally at the West End 7

Arena in Accra when Kwame Nkrumah announced

its formation. In reality, however, the origins of the Party can be traced to the day, the 16th December, 1947, when Kwame Nkrumah returned to Ghana.

25. During his sojourn abroad, Kwame Nkrumah had devoted himself to a study of the practical methods by which not only Ghana but the whole of Africa could be freed from imperialism and colonialism and brought together in unity. He based his programme on the following principles: First, that the liberation movement could only

succeed if all the people were united behind it. Secondly, that a strong centralized leadership

based upon the popular will and support of the masses was essential in any struggle for freedom and the maintenance of sovereignty. Thirdly, that the full benefits of freedom would not be realised in any one African State until all the other African territories were also free and

united, and

Fourthly, that in order to organise a genuine popular movement it was necessary to build on all existing foundations wherever this was possible.

26. The Convention Peoples' Party was the first political Party as such ever to be established in Ghana. Previously

all organisations for independence had been national 66

‫כל‬

without a definite party policy and without any mass organisation. 27. The formation of the Party thus introduced for the movements

first time into Ghana the party -political system which was accepted as an essential pre-requisite for indepen dence. Îts slogan was 5 SELF-GOVERNMENT NOW " . To achieve this object, the Party put forward the idea of Positive Action . Kwame Nkrumah has des

cribed Positive Action as the adoption of legitimate and constitutional means in the first instance, and as a last resort, the use of force and insurrection to attack and

destroy the ramparts of imperialism and colonialism . 8

28. The original object of imperialism and colonialism was to secure cheap sources of raw material and to

create markets for the manufactured products of the imperialist power. This is the division of labour under colonialism .

29. “ Colonial development therefore consisted in exploiting the mineral, agricultural and other national resources of the country and exporting them to feed

the industry of the imperialist power and its allies. In this system wages were kept as low as possible and no

encouragement was given to the production of any but the cheapest type of food for the peasants and

workers, irrespective of its nutritional value, since the colonial administration was more interested in the

industrial power of the metropolitan country than in the welfare of the colonial people.

30. In effect, the colonies were regarded as mere markets for the purchase of agricultural products and the sale of manufactured goods of the metropolitan power. 31. The metropolitan power dictated the prices both the agricultural products and of the manufactured goods. The social and economic conditions of our people under colonial rule left much to be desired .

Health services were poor and education was limited to the training of clerks and subordinate staff to man the lower grades of the Government services and in commerce and industry. 32. The Party and Government therefore inherited a

miserable legacy of poverty, disease and illiteracy and had to grapple quickly with the problem of reorganising the whole of the life of the nation based on improve

ments in agriculture, commerce and industry, finance, education ,

communications,

housing and

health

services.

33. Owing to the absence of facilities for capital

formation , it was clear from the very beginning that

this prodigious task could only be accomplished successfully by the institution of socialism . There is no half way to socialism . The total industrialisation of the 9

country, the complete diversification and mechanisa

tion of agriculture, and a national economic planning based on the public ownership of the means of pro

duction and distribution must be the order of the day. This pre-supposes the complete electrification of Ghana. 34. In their determination to promote and advance the welfare and progress of the people as a whole, the Party and Government have been committed to travel on this path of socialism. 35. Ghana's trade and industry remains largely under the domination of alien monopoly interests. This is a

relic of colonialism which the Party is determined to eradicate.

36. In pursuit of this objective, the Party and Government lost no time in setting up Statutory

Boards and Corporations in the fields of commerce

and industry and agriculture in order to control effectively the national effort for progress and develop ment .

37. As stated before, the most important single factor for the establishment of industry was the supply of cheap power. The Party and Government therefore

devoted great energy to the planning of the Volta River Project. This project and other smaller hydro

electric projects which are being started constitute the key to the industrialisation of Ghana . The success so far achieved in the implementation of these pro jects is a measure of the persistence and determination of our Party and Government in the face of difficulties that seemed at times to be almost insurmountable.

38. Agriculture and industry depend on good and efficient communications. The Party realised this fact and therefore gave priority to the construction of first class roads throughout the country. Since 1951 nearly 1,500 miles of first- class roads have been con structed and extensive links of secondary and feeder roads provided . The railway network has been con siderably expanded and the rolling stock completely 10

modernised. 67 modern diesel locomotives have been

acquired and an extended and improved railway system is being planned.

39. Port capacity has been greatly expanded . In 1951, the maximum tonnage of cargo handled was 21 million tons. This figure has been doubled in the ten-year

period ending in 1961. This expansion has been achieved by extensions to Takoradi, where 4 new

berths have been provided and by the construction at Tema of the largest artificial harbour anywhere in

Africa at a cost of £G274 millions, every penny of

which has been provided by the Government of Ghana.

40. When the Party came into power, wages were as

low as ninepence per day. The Party intervened at once to correct this position, and appropriate measures

were adopted by legislation ,both as regards wages and trade union organisation. Today it can be said with some pride and justification that there has been a

general rise in the living standards of the workers whose national minimum wage is now 6s. 6d. a day.

41. Trade Unions have been afforded great opportuni ties for organisational activities. Furthermore, the Party has evolved an approach to trade unionism which has made it possible to create a new Trade Union

Congress which acts not only as a free and independent organisation, but also as an effective liaison between the Government and the working masses of our

people.

42. The Party realised from the first that there is an essential difference in the role of Trade Unions

operating in a capitalist country and Trade Unions

operating in a country where the State machine is directed by a Party which is based on the mass support

of the people and which can consult the people's wishes on every issue. 43. The Trade Union Movement in Ghana has been

closely associated with the Party and with the Govern

ment. Only thus could the objectives of the Trade 11

Unionists be achieved. The Party and the Government

therefore do not regard the Trade Union organisation as evolving out of conflict between employer and the employee. On the contrary, the Party has always considered that the Government has a positive duty

to assist the Trade Unions to develop the structure best suited to their needs . The correctness of this policy has been shown by the fact that wage increases have been secured without causing inflation or increasing

the cost of living and without any loss of productivity which would have resulted from resort to strike action.

44. Housing accommodation for the people still remains a difficult problem which the Party and the Govern ment are making every effort to solve. The Ghana

Housing Corporation and the Rural Housing Corpora tion have been established . Since the establishment of

these statutory Housing Corporations, several thousand houses have been provided for the people. 45. The Party has adopted a progressive and vigorous health policy, designed to remove the disabilities inherited from colonialism .

Considerable advances

have been made in curative and preventive medicine and there has been a striking improvement in the health of our people. Many modern hospitals, clinics and health centres have been provided . The two major

hospitals at Accra and Kumasi compare favourably with the best hospitals any where in the world. Endemic diseases have been brought under control and

will be completely wiped out in the course of time. Infant mortality has been remarkably reduced. Itinerant medical field units reach the remotest corners of the

country and bring relief and cure to the people. But that is not the whole picture. Hundreds of Ghanaian boys and girls are studying medicine all over the world

under State scholarships. In the near future. the number of doctors in Ghana per head of the population will be one of the highest in the world . The Party is under

taking, as a matter of urgency, the establishment of 12

ore hospitals, health centres and clinics throughout the country. The Party's ultimate objective is socialised medicine for our people. Medical and Health services

(including facilities for research) are being re-organised and plans for the establishment not only of a Medical School but also a Medical Centre are far advanced .

46. Our first task is to carry out a systematic campaign against endemic diseases such as malaria, river blind

ness, yaws, bilharzia, guinea -worm and other disabling diseases. In order to accelerate the eradication of

malaria throughout the country, the Party and Govern ment have devised a special scheme of spraying with the use of helicopters. 47. The Party's programme for health aims at intro

ducing within the Seven - year Plan Period a national health service which will embrace all medical practi tioners. Its implementation will depend in part upon the fullest mobilisation of doctors, nurses, dentists

and surgeons, midwives and the many other specialists needed to maintain a fully competent and countrywide scheme.

48. The population of Ghana isapproximately 7( seven) millions . The total number of medical practitioners is 400. The ratio is therefore about one doctor to

every 150,000 persons. The implementation of the national health scheme will involve a re-distribution

of doctors throughout the country.

49. The Party holds the view that doctors and other medical staff by virtue of their calling have a particular

responsibility to the community. They must be inspired by devotion to duty and not relate the quality of their work and their relationship with the public to material reward .

50. Our health programme will include services relating to the control of all categories of disease carriers and will cover all aspects of health from prophylaxis to nutrition. Special health schemes for miners and other 13

workers liable to industrial accidents and diseases will be worked out. An extensive network of health

services will also embrace general sanitation and nutritional services with special attention to those areas at present without modern sanitary arrange ments.

51. In 1950 not more than 30 per cent of children of

school-going age were in the Middle and Primary schools. At that rate of progress it would have taken

over fifty years for all our children to be provided with basic education. The Party therefore introduced

in 1951 the accelerated education plan which , for the first time, offered to our people fee -free Primary education on a national basis. A further step forward has been taken in the introduction of fee - free and

compulsory Middle School education. In 1950 the enrolment in Primary and Middle Schools was 204,000 . By 1960 this figure had risen to over 600,000 , a three >

fold increase. The enrolment in Secondary Schools also increased from 2,800 in 1950 to over 11,000 in

1960, while in Technical and Commercial Institutes

the corresponding figures are 266 and 2,700 respec tively. 52. In higher education the Party was faced with the problem of a University structure designed primarily to produce a type of graduates trained mainly for

commerce, industry and administration, and who were

completely divorced from the needs and aspirations of the people. Little or no emphasis was laid on the training of students in the vital fields of agriculture

and the applied sciences, or in the culture and rich heritage of our national life.

53. A radical re-organisation of the whole University structure was therefore required. The first steps in this direction have already been taken. An International

Commission was appointed to review the whole University system , and reforms based upon their report have been put into operation. 14

PART TWO PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

54. This programme has been formulated in the

conviction that Socialism implies central planning in order to ensure that the entire resources of the State ,

both human and material, are employed in the best interests of all the people . 55. The basic aim of our economic development is to free our economy from alien control and domination.

To achieve this, it is necessary for the State to partici pate in the wholesale and retail sectors of trade

throughout the country. This is the only means of

protecting the people fromunbridled exploitation by alien monopoly interests. The Party is firmly of the view that the planning of the national economy can only be really effective when the major means of

production , distribution and exchange have been brought under the control and ownership of the State. TheParty is determined to implement its plans, fully confident of the support, enthusiasm and loyalty of the overwhelming majority of the people.

National Planning

56. Socialist planning calls for decisions about the raising of capital to finance development and how the money so raised shall be spent. It must decide what amounts shall come from taxation and other sources

of raising capital , and what proportion of the National Income shall be devoted to consumption and invest ment. Since we are, as a result of our heritage of colonialism and imperialism , still operating in

pre -industrial society , we have, above all, to decide

upon priorities for getting us started or transforming our economy. 15

57. Not only, therefore, does our planning have to

decide what proportions of our available andestimated income shall be spent on general administration, on our

Army and our Police, but also to decide, according to our development targets, what ratios shall go to education, health and social welfare ; what amounts

shall be devoted to railways, harbours, telephones and telegraphs and other forms of communication . Our

planning has to decide what allocations shall go to agricultural and industrial investment, and also how to attract labour and ration some raw materials to the

various sectors of the economy to avoid imbalance or inequalities.

58. Finance raising and spending, however,constitutes only one side of planning. If we are to make the best use of our human resources — which are certainly more

important than our natural resources in our development our planning must decide how our education has to be organised . We have carefully to estimate what

numbers of engineers, agricultural and industrial artisans, skilled Building Workers and experts will be needed; how many scientists, and technologists includ ing chemists, biologists, architects, doctors, lawyers, accountants administrators, and the many other spe cialists we shall need from year to year.

59. We have to plan what our primary and secondary schools shall teach, what technical education is neces

sary, and where the schools and institutions of higher education shall be situated.

60. Planning also requires examination of what forms of agriculture and industry shall be encouraged . For

example, should some crops be discouraged, others limited, as they prevent other more necessary crops

from being grown ? What proportion of our farming shall be given over to foodstuffs for our people ? How much to the provision of raw materials for secondary industries and for export ? 61. What domesticated animals shall be encouraged

and how best can this be done ? Shall our agriculture, 16

fishing and animal husbandry be undertaken by Government farms, or by co - operatives, or by the encouragement of individuals to increase their farming, their cattle herds and poultry stocks ? Or shall we combine all three ? Where are our animal feeds to

come from ? How much should we import from abroad, and how much grow in Ghana ? How much money and effort shall be spent on encouraging new crops like cotton, soya beans, groundnuts, rubber and

sugar, and how much on crops to replace imported foodstuffs ?

62. The Party and Government, assisted by our plan

ners, have to consider what new industries we need, and their location and how they can best be encouraged .

How far shall they be financed by Government ?

How far can they be financed by controlling invest ment from banks and insurance companies ? How far can they be financed by foreign, private or Govern mental capital.

63. These are only a few of the problems of socialist planning. It needs statistical information to guide the planners. The Government is the only body which has

the full statistics and other relevant information upon which over-all planning can be based. Only the Govern ment can decide what the over -all effect of building a new road will be or how many teachers will be needed

for the country as a whole in so many years time. 64. All these and many other factors are involved in

exact planning for the future. However, such planning is incomplete unless the Government gets advice from

below, from the mass of workers, farmers and peasants. For it is the workers, peasants and the farmers who know how things work out on the actual

job. The farmer has his experience to guide him , as does the miner. The expression of their views — the views of the people — is therefore important in plan ning, and must be consulted. This means giving the Farmers' Council, the T.U.C. , the local authorities, the houses of chiefs, the women's organisations, and 17

other similar bodies, an opportunity to make sugges tions as to planning, and the targets set and to criticise the draft plans produced. In this process, the National Assembly must also play its constructive role as

representatives of the people.

Planning and its Enemies 65. Apart from the avowed enemies of socialist plan

ning for Ghana, that is imperialism andneo -colonialism , there are the equally potent and insidious evils which can become cankerworms eating slowly but surely

into the fabric of our society. These are the evils of

bribery, corruption and nepotism , against which the Party is vigilant and determined to continue to pursue a relentless and ruthless campaign.

66. These evils are basically alien to the general Ghanaian nature, and can be attributed in part to the

hangovers of colonialist practices and to the serious social effects of the imposition of a money economy

upon our traditional social customs. At the present time we are in a transition stage, emerging into new ways of life brought into being as a result of the new

developments in industry science and technology. 67. At the same time, there are certain of our customs,

- like that of “ dash ” and service to the family and the oman ” —which are being accommodated to the new ways. In various degrees, the bribery, corrup CG

tion and nepotism which have found their way into our national life are being used to gratify the money consciousness and greed of certain individuals and sections within our society.

68. Considerable harm is being caused by them to the general national effort. This is a position which the Party refuses to tolerate, and it will,therefore, mobilise all its resources in a determined effort to correct it .

69. Nkrumaist principles provide the guide to action, through which all Party members, high and low, 18

will be subject to the same treatment. There cannot be within the Party, one law for leaders and another for followers.

70. Akin to corruption are careerism , opportunism and bureaucracy. Those who have these vices are

stimulated by the urge for self-aggrandisement. They

disorganise all planning by refusing to work in a team . They use their positions to promote their own careers andto keep in their hands the control of organisations or departments of Government in order to add to

their own prestige. The harm done by such persons can be as great as the evil done by corruption, bribery and nepotism . 71. We would add here a comment upon the pressures

brought to bear upon members of parliament by their constituents to force the establishment of projects in their villages or towns, irrespective of the value to the general community or to thewider needs of the nation .

This has just as detrimental effects as outright bribery , and is, in fact, a form of corruption which deflects the

national loyalty of parliamentarians to sectional interests. There can be no room for this kind of pressure in our national life.

The Party and National Economic Development 72. The aim of our economic development is to make Ghana free of alien control of its economy and thus

support our political independence with economic independence. As afirst step towards this vital objective, the Government will institute measures to enable it to

participate more and more during the period of the Seven - Year Plan, in the wholesale sector of the coun

try's internal trade, as well as in its foreign trade. 73. While ensuring national control of the country's trade, these measures will also promote capital accu mulation for financing development. They will protect the farmers and workers and the rest of the population in town and countryside from the unbridled exploita

tion by alien monopoly trading interests which have 19

hitherto dominated Ghana's domestic and import trade. They will enable proper checks and balances to be put upon inflation and will foster the establish

ment and growth of domestic industries. Tax Reform

74. The Party considers that the tax methods employed in Ghana at the present time require re-examination in order to ensure that we have a system of taxation

which meets our rapidly expanding economy and also spread the burden of taxation equitably. 75. In the past the majority ofexpatriate and indigenous

private enterprises have taken advantage of the weak structure of our tax legislation (which, for example, grants liberal capital allowances) to declare losses and thus secure exemption from taxation. The 1961 Budget

proposals introduced by the Government have made it very much more difficult for these firms and com

panies to escape payment of their share of taxation. 76. In planning for socialist development and economic growth , different methods of taxation will undoubtedly present themselves from stage to stage as less burden

some and more practicable and productive than the forms of direct taxation now current. Our Party will

strengthen the investigation section of the Income Tax Department and keep under constant examination the role of taxation in our expanding society . The Party will continue to maintain those policies most advantageous to capital investment and productive management.

Agriculture 77. It is the aim of the Party and Government to

increase agricultural productivity by the application of modern methods of cultivation through diversifica tion and mechanisation . The agricultural problems which Ghana faces are four-fold . First, there is the

question of increasing the yield and of marketing them overseas with a view both to increasing the prices and 20

the quantity sold. Obviously any planned increase of production of cash crops must be accompanied by detailed plans for selling profitably the extra amount of the commodity produced. Secondly, there is the question of introducing new cash crops which can find a market abroad . Thirdly, there is the problem of using at home for food and in industry the cash crop now

produced or which could be produced but for which at present there is no method ofprocessing in Ghana. It is

clearly absurd that Ghana should be the largest single cocoa producer in the world and yet have no home

industry which is based on the use of the cocoa bean

whether as food oras an ingredient for pharmaceuticals or cosmetics. Finally, and fourthly , there is the problem

of producing at home foodstuffs to replace those that are at present imported. 78. In connection with the establishment of State and

Co -operative Farms, the Party will also establish

national and tractor stations. Our country is fortunate in possessing large tracts of uncultivated land on

which will be constructed agricultural towns and villages and provide new settlement centres for our patriotic young men and women . Modern amenities

will be provided in these new centres of population and agricultural development. Animal Husbandry and Poultry Production

79. The Party proposes to establish as soon as possible new machinery for the import, distribution and marketing of meat and eggs.

80. This new machinery will take the form of State

Corporations or Agricultural Co -operatives. A Ghana MeatImport and Export Corporation will revolutionise the distribution andmarketing of cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, game and poultry, by : (a) setting up buying centres in Mali, Guinea, Upper Volta and other neighbouring African countries which at the moment export live stock to Ghana through middlemen ; 21

(b) providing a guaranteed market or stable

prices for livestock imported or produced in this country, and eliminating step by step all middlemen engaged in the livestock trade; and,

( c) entering into agreements with other State enterprises for the construction of cold

storage depots, abattoirs and slaughter houses for the storage and distribution of livestock and for the processingand preserva

tion of imported and locally produced meat, so that Ghana will become self

sufficient in the production of meat, poultry and egg supplies. 81. Similarly an Egg Marketing Board will assist in

the marketing of eggs and in the lowering of prices. Chicken feed will be locally produced . Fish Production and Marketing 82. The Party proposes that the Seven - Year Plan should contain plans for:

( a) acquiring a fleet of modern fishing vessels and trawlers to provide sufficient fish and

fish products to feed the nation, to displace

all imported fish and fish products, thereby conserving our foreign exchange. (b) providing a guaranteed market and stable prices to all engaged in the fishing industry, thereby raising the standard of living of our fishermen ;

( c) establishing cold storage depots as well as a chain of fish processing and fish smoking plants for the storage and distribution of fish in all the important towns of the country ;

(d ) expanding the present facilities for the training of all those who wish to make fishing their career ; 22

(e) establishing a network of fish markets and shops throughout the length and breadth of the country so that a regular supply of fresh and smoked fish at reasonable and stable

prices will be available to workers and farmers in town and countryside;

(f) establishing in those parts of the country with plentiful supplies of water, fish farming or fish ponds, so that an alternative source

of fish supplies will be created .

Forest Husbandry 83. The Party will establish a Forestry Products Corporation which will run State Timber Concessions and develop the timber industry. Legislation will be introduced to make it obligatory for all timber con cessionaires to plant and nurse three new trees for every matured tree cut down or infant tree destroyed

accidentally during the currency of their concessions. 84. Expatriate concessionaires hold at the moment about 90 per cent of the country's timber concessions.

There is no obligation on their part to plant new trees in place of matured trees cut down or infant trees destroyed accidentally. 85. The Party will also establish, during the currency

of the Seven -Year Plan period, Research Institutes whose main task will be to carry out scientific research

work in forestry and to learn from the experience of other countries in forestry research to formulate and

enforce regulations concerning technical operations and educate and train cadets in forestry work and prepare conditions for future development of forestry.

86. In the Northern and Upper Regions of Ghana, the Party will, during the Seven - Year Plan Period, carry out large scale afforestation projects. State -owned nurseries will also be established ; bamboo and other such plants will be cultivated and industries for pro cessing them will be established. 23

Industrialisation

87. Industrialisation depends first upon the availability of cheap power and, secondly, on the availability of

materials required for processing as well as a skilled labour force. Electricity and steel make the modern industrialised State.

88. The Volta River Project and the Bui Project, together with other hydro - electric stations which are

planned, should provide an adequate supply of cheap power. The Party proposes that the Seven -Year Plan

shall contain proposals for establishing those types of heavy industry which are large consumers of power and for which raw materials are available locally. 89. The National Planning Commission has started on a detailed study of the type of heavy industry most

suitable for Ghana. Clearly a heavy chemical industry for the manufacture of fertilisers and the utilising of wood as a raw material from which to make plasticsand

artificial yarn , are matters which require careful and immediate study. The use of our iron ore resources

might form the basis of an iron and steel industry. 90. A second type of industrial development consists of industries which utilise new cash crops and thus provide very considerable agricultural employment.

The sugar industry is a case in point. For every man

employed in the factory, ten agricultural workers are needed. Sugar- cane is now being grown in areas where

there is little agricultural development. The saving in foreign currency by Ghana producing her own sugar is very considerable. From the by -products of sugar production not only can alcohol be produced as a beverage (in the form of rum and liquors) but also industrial alcohol can be made and used in cosmetic

and pharmaceutical industries. Sugar is also a provider of basic raw material for the plastic industries.

91. The third type of industrial development comprises light industry such as textiles and the making of shoes,

clothing, furniture, diamond polishing, and fittings for building. 24

Handicrafts

92. The Party and Government will encourage handi craft workers to organise themselves into co -operative

societies so as to qualify them for State aid through long -term loans for the acquisition of up -to -date

machinery and equipment, and hiring of premises. In addition, short-term credits will be provided to handicraft co - operatives for the purpose of buying raw materials.

93. In particular, the Government will encourage gold smiths, Kente cloth weavers and other craftsmen so that their individual work may become known both

nationally and internationally. In order to encourage an export trade in gold ornaments, the Government

will set up anorganisation for standardising the quality of gold jewellery. Schools will be provided whereby

experienced craftsmen will teach the youth. The Government will recruit skilled craftsmen from other

countries to teach our youth in such crafts as carpet

making, etc. Banking and Insurance 94. The Bank of Ghana is the central Bank of Issue

and the Party will ensure that it provides credits which should be channelled through all sectors of our

national economy as directed by the National Planning Commission . This will enable the Bank to play a more

positive role in the economic development and planning of the nation's resources . 95. The Government will also establish an Investment

Bank. This Bank will provide loans on a long -term credit basis to small -scale Ghanaian enterprises on easy terms. It will also grant long -term credits to

State enterprises, Co -operatives and Local Councils for industry, mining, agriculture, housing, etc. The Investment Bank will, through its Agricultural Credit Departments, serve as a medium enabling the Govern ment to exercise control over agriculture on a planned basis .

25

96. When the nation's economy and productivity in industry and agriculture have resulted in the rise in the living standards of the people , hire purchase financing will be expanded to assist individuals who wish to buy such durable consumer goods as refrigera tors, radios, etc.

The Post Office Savings Bank

97. The Party and Government will re-organise the Post Office Savings Bank with the object of encouraging the savings habit among the masses of the people. The powers of the Bank will be modified so as to

enable it to grant loans and advances to its depositors.

This is a new innovation proposed by the Party in order to provide facilities to those who patronise the Post Office Savings Bank. A system of graduated interest rates will be arranged which will work to the

advantage of those depositors who allowtheir savings to remain in the Bank for long periods. The manage ment of the Bank deposits will be entrusted to the State Bank with which the Post Office Savings Bank

will work in close co -operation, so as to make the issue of National Development Bonds and National Savings Certificates a success .

Insurance - State Insurance Corporation 98. The Government will through the State Insurance Corporation enter into an agreement with local insurance companies to surrender their net assets

covering all policies of life assurance effected on Ghanaians. The State Insurance Corporation will participate in all types of insurance business and arrange for re -insurance with overseas insurance com

panies or other State Insurance Corporations at the most advantageous rates .

99. Investment opportunities will be created by the

State Bank to enable the net premium income of all insurance companies operating in Ghana to be invested in Ghana instead of overseas . 26

State Enterprise and Financing 100. With the conclusion of the Volta Loan Agree ments, the Government has received a large number of enquiries from business and financial interests from overseas which demonstrate keenness to parti cipate, to an increasing degree, in the development

of the country's economy. The Government, there fore, considers that it is necessary to re -define its

policy on private enterprise and investment in general.

101. The Government reiterates its declared policy of building a society in which the principles ofsocial justice will be paramount, and towards this end will maintain its policy of economic planning and increasing

participation in the nation's economic activity. 102. Thus, the Government has decided that in no sector of the economy will exclusive rights of opera tion in respect of any commodity be conferred on any single person, and all enterprises are expected

to accept the economic policy of the Government as the basis of their activity and to operate within the framework of the laws of the nation.

103. The Government recognises five sectors, all operat ing side by side in the nation's economy. These sectors are :

( 1 ) State enterprises.

( 2) Enterprises

owned

by foreign private

interests.

( 3) Enterprises jointly owned by the State and foreign private interests. ( 4) Co -operatives.

(5) Small -scale Ghanaian private enterprise. State Enterprises

104. These are the enterprises completely owned and operated by the State, and will include all enterprises 27

managed under the direction of the competent govern

mental organs. The main aims of operating State enterprises are : ( a) to ensure an ever growing and steady employment for the people; ( b ) to increase national income and the revenues of the State in order to raise the living standards of the people, to expand and

improve both education and health services; ( c) to have at the command of the State signi ficant and growing stocks of commodities in order to be able to influence the market, this influence being aimed at the stabiliza tion of the price level and that of currency ;

(d) to supply those services, which the private sector does not wish or is not allowed to

supply.

Foreign Private Enterprise 105. The Government accepts the operation in the country of large-scale enterprises by foreign interests.

106. The objectives of this policy are, firstly, to accelerate the growth of Ghana's capital stock. Secondly, to conserve Foreign Exchange and maintain the national reserves at a safe level.

Enterprises jointly owned by the State and Foreign Private Interests

107. Such enterprises are to be owned and operated jointly by government and private foreign interests whose respective shares in the equity capital shall be agreed by both parties.

Co - operatives 108. Government will support and encourage the forma tion of co-operative enterprises of producers both in agriculture, trade and industry and will also assist 28

small scale individual Ghanaian Farmers through such institutions as the Investment Bank.

Small- scale Ghanaian Private Personal Enterprises

109. In order to encourage and utilise personal initiative and skill, Ghanaians can undertake small - scale enter

prises, provided that they are not nominees or sleeping partners of foreign interests. Transport and Communications Transport

110. In the interests of efficiency, elimination of waste, reduction of fares, and overlapping of functions, in the transport and communications industry, the Party proposes to establish a public corporation to control: ( a) inland transport ; (6 ) sea and river transport; and ( c) civil aviation.

111. The Inland Transport Division will absorb the Municipal Bus Services, the Ghana Railways and the Government Transport Department, the administra tion of river ferry service, and the road haulage and

transportation services at present being performed by all Government departments, and statutory boards and corporations.

112. The Sea Transport Division will absorb the Black Star Line and the administration of all ports and

harbours in the country, including stevedoring. 113. The Civil Aviation Division will incorporate the Ghana Airways. Telecommunications

114. The pursuit of closer African unity dictates that telecommunication facilities existing between all the

African States should be rapidly expanded. The Party will foster the expansion of a network of radio stations and other telecommunication systems linking us our neighbouring sister States. 29

Warehousing 115. The diversification of agriculture and the promotion of home andforeign trade depend to a certain extent upon the availability of an efficient warehousing service. Banks must be guaranteed the safety of their advances against produceor merchandise stored in warehouses in urban or in the rural areas. Without this guarantee, the rapid turnover of working capital in the hands of State trading corporations cannot be ensured. 116. Accordingly, the Party will set up a National

Warehousing Corporation to serve as the Central Warehousing Agency and Left Luggage depot of the State .

Workers' Participation in Management 117. To strengthen labour's interest in increased pro ductivity and national progress, it is the Party's policy that there shall be the strongest form of workers ' participation in management.

118. Such participation will not be confined to simple representation

on

management

boards .

Effective

methods of consultation between management and workers will be provided for at all levels ; guarantees against frivolous and arbitrary dismissals will be given ; and the Government will institute Joint Production Committees which will meet and take decisions on all

matters affecting production. Labour Relations

119. The Government which is formed by our Party is

a People's Government, that is, a Government ofthe workers, farmers and peasants ; indeed, a Government of the people, free, strong and independent, pursuing a socialised pattern of reconstruction. The interest of workers is therefore well protected by the State. The Trade Union Movement must therefore pursue a

different role from that of Trade Unions in a capitalist

society. The desires and wishes of our working people, 30

farmers and peasants, form the basis of our social and economic policy. 120. It is the policy of the Party to see our people in

full employment. There must be jobs for all and we envisage a society in which he who is able but does not work neither shall he eat. Our educational facilities

have been expanded to enable Ghanaian children whether of workers, farmers, and peasants, to have

equal opportunities for education . Our health services are being improved . All this progress is directed towards

improving the living standards and cultural and spiritual needs of our people.

121. In the present stage of our development, Trade Union officials must discard their colonial mentality

and methods and remember that they are not struggling against capitalists. When they have to fight against

exploiters, the State will be their protector. Today, the work of Trade Union officials must be different.

The Trade Union Movement must spearhead their

efforts to raise production and productivity and cease to be advocates for out-moded conditions.

122. The Party will ensure that our Trade Unions do not limit their activities to the education of the workers

only as regards their rights,butalso regarding their duties and responsibilities. The Party will take steps to inculcate in our working people the role of labour and increased productivity. The Party and Govern ment will continue to pursue those socialist policies which will be to the ultimate benefit of the workers

and will see to it that Trade Unions explain these measures to the rank and file instead of becoming

mere agitators for rights already protected and gua ranteed by the State.

123. The Party considers that our Trade Union officials should have a new orientation of their role in the

programme of reconstruction. The new era of Trade

Unionism must come about through increased educa tional facilities for all Trade Union Branch officials 31

and arrangements will be made for the Trade Union

Congress to take full advantage of the courses at the Kwame Nkrumah Ideological Training Institute at Winneba and at our Universities.

124. The Party recognises, however, that it is of the utmost importance that in the countries where colo nialism and neo -colonialism still hold sway, trade

unions have a vital obligation to support Freedom Fighters to over-throw puppet and neo -colonialist regimes, and oppressor Governments. Abolition of Unemployment (Full Employment) 125. The Party and Government inherited from the Colonial Power large pockets of unemployment in the urban areas and hidden unemployment and an under -employed labour force in the rural areas. This

reflected the agrarian character of the economy, the lack of basic industries as well as over-all national

economic planning. The Party will change this situation, and pursue a policy of positive and conscious abolition of unemployment . 126. The Party is convinced that with the diversification and mechanisation of agriculture and the establishment of large scale farms, a substantial force of surplus labour will be released from the rural areas which

can be transferred into industry. 127. In short, the Party proposes that by the end of the

Seven -Year Plan Period unemployment will have been abolished in Ghana. Civil Service

128. When the Party came to power in 1951, there were only seven Ghanaians in any worthwhile positions of

responsibility in the Civil Services. It was a basic policy of colonial rule to preserve these posts for expatriates. The Party at once set out to correct this 32

position by adopting a vigorous policy of Africanisa tion. As a result, the Civil Service today has been virtually Africanised. 129. The Party proposes that the Civil Service should be

completely re-modelled so as to release it from its

colonial restraints and mentality and to bring it into line with our socialist aspirations. The Party and Government are keenly aware of the needs of the

people and are animated by a strong sense of urgency.. The Civil Service must be revitalised and animated by the same sense of urgency .

130. The existing qualifications for appointment to the various positions in the Civil Service will be revised so as to relate them to Ghanaian needs and conditions.

When this has been achieved, the existing serious shortage of manpower in the Civil Service resulting from adherence to standards established in colonial

days will be abolished . The training of Civil Servants,

particularly of the junior grades, will be accelerated. 131. The Organisation and Methods service will be expanded , and special attention will be paid to the supervision of subordinate staff and the organisation and maintenance of efficient Registries in the Ministries and Departments.

33

PART THREE THE SOCIALIST REVOLUTION

132. The socio-economic revolution of Ghana which

the Party is carrying out has for its main objectives work and happiness for all the people. This revolution proceeds along five main fronts: Agriculture, Industry,

Commerce, Social Relationships and Culture. 133. The Party's policy for the re-organisation

of

agriculture, commerce and industry hasbeen outlined

earlier in this programme. This programme of recon struction will make such an impact on the framework

of our traditional life as to require a re -examination of our customs relating to marriage, divorce and inheri tance .

Marriage and Divorce 134. Our marriage laws are at present a mixture of our own indigenous forms and the system existing in the advanced industrialised nations which we in

herited through colonialism . The new circumstances

which have been created by a changing socio-economic pattern , and the popularisation of education with its

increasing movement of people from village to town and subsequent break -up of clan - life, makes the

polygamous systems of marriage inappropriate. New forms of family life are breaking up the old loyalties. Moreover, the Party stands for complete equality between the sexes and complete equality is, strictly

speaking, incompatible with polygamy. 135. The Party believes that there should be only one form of marriage, and that is monogamy. It recognises,

however, that existing polygamousmarriages will not disappear with the enforcement by law of monogamy . Hence there can be no legal or social discrimination

against children in the form of illegitimacy , which is 34

completely alien to our African custom. The State's

responsibility in the new social order will be to all children and not merely those from monogamous marriages.

136. As regards divorce, the Party will put forward detailed plans based upon the comments and discus sions which followed the Government's White Paper

on Marriage and Divorce. Broadly speaking, the Party does not regard the Courts as the only suitable arbiter in matters of matrimonial disharmony. It feels that traditional arbitration is a surer means of settling

discord throughreconciliation. Divorce will be recom mended only where reconciliation proves impossible, and will be registered by the Courts, which will also

consider the question of maintenance and division of property acquired during the marital union. Education

137. Primary and Middle School education, as already stated , has been made compulsory and fee -free. The duration of the Primary and Middle School courses will be reduced to eight years and the Secondary School courses will last four years. The Party proposes that Secondary School education will also become free and

compulsory during the operation of the Seven-year Plan . Provision will therefore be made for the training and recruitment of larger numbers of Teachers. 138. University Education will be expanded to enable

all who can profit from it to take advantage of the facilities for higher education provided by Government. The Party and Government propose that University Entrance Examinations shall be abolished and that the West African School Certificate shall be sufficient

qualification for entry into our Universities. Accord ingly, the Party proposes that the present Sixth Form courses provided in the Secondary Schools should cease, and that Sixth -form work should become the

first year of the four-year University course. 35

139. The curricula for schools will be revised so as to

bring them more into line with our national aspira tions. One of the most neglected aspects of Ghanaian education at present is, in the Party's view, Technical

Education. The Party therefore proposes to increase

the number of Institutes providing technical and vocational training; polytechnics and other institutes will be provided for the training of skilled personnel requiredfor our national reconstruction. Such technical training will cover metallurgy, Engineering, Economics , Statistics, Accountancy and Management. 140. The Party and Government will make further

provision for education overseas for students who require further education in fields which are not provided for locally. The Party considers that more research work should be done locally by our Universities, and the Party and Government will make available

the necessary funds for carrying out this important work .

141. The Party and Government are determined that

our Universities willno longer produce “ Ivory Tower ”

graduates and that Ghanaian boys andgirls, who have had the benefit of the best education that the country

can provide, will identify themselves completely with the cause of the people. Literature and Publishing

142. At the moment there is an absence of publishing opportunities for Ghanaians, whether they write in a

Ghanaian language or in English. Expanding education will create a rising demand for literary works by

Ghanaians in both the African languages and English . 143. The Party considers it of the utmost importance that a State Publishing House, run on commercial lines, should be establishedas soon as possible. We already have the basis for developing a publishing industry,

and it is intended that the National Publishing House should serve as the central printing and publishing establishment of the country. 36

144. In the interests of economy and efficiency the

Printing Division of the National Publishing House will absorb printing establishments now run by Govern ment, educational institutions and boards and other

State organisations. 145. The publishing section of the National Publishing

House will take over the publishing of text-books for the schools and also printing for the Government and State Corporations and co -operative organisations.

It will publish newspapers and magazines. Dramatic Art and the Cinema

146. A national theatre for the promotion of drama,

music and dancing has been a long -felt need. The Party proposes to build such a theatre for the people.

147. Ghanaian musicians will be encouraged to establish a national orchestra and the Party and Government

will open schools for the teaching of drama, music and dancing

148. Orchestras and bands will be protected by Law against exploitation by foreign interests.

149. The Party considers that the cinema can provide a most valuable source of entertainment and cultural

education. Unfortunately, many of the films shown to the public at present over-emphasize sex and crime and thus exert an undesirable influence on the morals

of the people. The Party and Government will, during the period of the Seven - Year Plan, establish a Film Import Agency which will secure for Ghana suitable films from all parts of the world, making use where appropriate of the cultural agreements which have been entered into with many countries. 150. The Party and Government propose to build a Ghana Film Industry in co -operation with other countries which have had long experience in film pro duction . Meanwhile, the Party and Government will provide every facility to the Ghana Film Production 37

Corporation to embark upon the production of films that will portray the new African in Ghana and other parts of the Continent .

National Languages

151. In the world today, industrialisation and technical

progress is dependent to a large extent upon a thorough knowledge of one or more of the main international

languages . On the other hand, the development of African culture will be arrested unless it is based upon

a thorough study and understanding of the national languages. It is natural that an independent nation should seek to promote the use of a national language

which expresses the true spirit, ideas and aspirations of its peoples . The attainment of this ideal is a long term objective. But in order to ensure its realisation in the long run the Party and Government propose that

Ghanaian languages should be made additional subjects at our secondary schools and universities along with the ancient and modern languages.

152. Closely linked with the use of national languages is the preservation of traditional culture and institutions.

153. The Ghanaian Constitution provides for the main tenance of Chieftaincy and the Party strongly supports

this constitutional provision . The institution of Chieftaincy will assist the preservation of all that is best in our traditional culture. Culture and Leisure

154. The Party considers that everyone in Ghana should have sufficient leisure and opportunity to engage in cultural activities and sports .

155. The full use of leisure will include the opportunity to travel inside Ghana. The provision of holiday resorts where the people can enjoy sport and relaxation

is part of the general question of tourism and will be included in the overall plans for a well balanced tourist industry. 38

156. Our game reserves will be improved as part of these plans. At present there are three Game Reserves in Ghana but they lack facilities for tourists and for the scientific study of the habits of animals. These defects will be remedied . As part of the internal and

external tourist trade and as part of our general

educational programme, the Party and Government will take steps to provide National Parks and further Game Reserves.

Sport

157. The Party and Government will see to it that

sport is controlled centrally and the policy established by Kwame Nkrumah continued and developed. During the Seven -Year Plan Period , it will be the policy of the Party and Government to extend the activities of the Central Organisation of Sports.

158. International sporting events and the provision of entertainment for the people are an important factor in the development of the tourist industry. The Party and Government will therefore encourage the con struction of stadia, swimming pools and sports grounds in various parts of the country . Reform of Law and Correction of Crime

159. Our legal system which is a legacy of colonial rule requires urgent reform in many directions. In the industrial field , it unduly favours foreign conces

sionaires and does not sufficiently protect the small

man against his financially powerful competitor. In commercial relations, the law is heavily weighted in

favour of private enterprise and does not sufficiently provide for State and co-operative enterprise. In social

questions, existing legislation is framed on United Kingdom law and procedure. 160. In the Seven-Year Plan period, the Party and Government will revise our present body of laws so as

to bring it into line with our socio - economic problems and with progressive socialist thought. 39

Price Control

161. Steps will be taken to prevent profiteering, and the system of price control which hasbeen introduced will be rigidly enforced . 162. The most effective control of prices will be that

exercised through the State Import Monopoly when this is established, since the State Monopoly will be

able to fix retail prices throughout the country. The system of licensing retail traders will provide further control and over- charging will result inthe withdrawal of the offenders' licence. The people will no longer be at the mercy of unscrupulous traders. The people will thus be protected against exploiters . Opportunities for All

163. In this programme the Party and Government have made exhaustive references to vast resources that

exist in the mineral and agricultural wealth of this country which they are determined to develop to the utmost capacity for the benefit of the people . The Party and Government consider, however, that an even greater national asset is the nation's manpower

reserve in the ever- increasing number of healthy and trained children , our busy and energetic market women , school teachers, farmers, skilled and manual workers

of all grades, professional men and women who are helpingin the challenging task of nation -building. 164. The Party and Government are equally determined that this other pool of national resources shall be so developed that every man, woman and child in Ghana shall have the fullest opportunity to express to the highest limits possible all their cultural spiritual,

intellectual and physical powers and potentialities, for so long as these are employed not in the selfish interests of individuals, but rather in the service of their fellow men and women in accordance with the

best traditions of socialist thought and practice. 40

PART FOUR INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

165. We have already stated that it is unrealistic to separate domestic from foreign policy, since the one

is closely related to the other. For Ghana to be pros

perous she must be able to trade with any country

in the world capable of supplying her needs. She cannot do this, if she aligns herself with non -African trade blocs such as the European Common Market designed to further the interests of the advanced

capitalist countries at the expense of the newly develop ing countries . To join the European Common Market would be merely to revive the position by which Ghana was a supplier of raw materials to the industrialised

countries of the West. As a bulwark against this form of neo -colonialism , Ghana will support the promotion of a Common Market with a common monetary zone

in Africa, which would assist the industrialisation of African countries and make them independent of manufactured products from other parts of the world . 166. Thus Ghana's domestic policy is clearly a necessary

corollary of her foreign policy. In order todevelop our country we must seek loans from other Governments,

and our field of borrowing must be as wide as possible. If we limit our borrowing to members of some

particular bloc we shall become dependent upon that bloc and impose upon ourselves restrictions that interfere with our economic growth . To safeguard our developing economy, therefore, we must pursue a

foreign policy which saves us from dependence upon any one group of powers . 167. The Party considers that Ghana as a developing nation should pursue a policy of non - alignment in international affairs. 41

168. Non-alignment is a positive policy because it consciously seeks to alter relation -patterns inherited from colonialism . It is a positive policy also because the non -aligned countries can combine in putting

forward their own solutions for international problems, as was demonstrated at the Conference of non-aligned powers in Belgrade. 169. Ghana, as a former colonial territory, has particular

interest in the ending of colonialism throughout the

world and especiallyin the African continent. With the experience of the evils of colonialism still fresh in her mind the existence of colonialism anywhere in the world cannot but outrage her conscience. For just as no

man can bear with equanimity the sight of injustice perpetrated on his neighbour, so can Ghana not remain unconcerned when she sees the evil system of

colonialism still practised in other parts of the world. She is interested in seeing that the old relationships by which certain countries are exploited as producers of

raw materials for the benefit of highly industralised countries on other continents come to an end.

170. Colonialism endangers the safety of the entire continent, since the colonial territory may be dragged into a war against its will by the administering power, as was the experience of Ghana and other former

colonial territories in Africa. Colonialism also imposes completely distorted economic, social and cultural patterns whose effects extend beyond their own terri

torial limits. Economically, it diverts the foreign trade of the colonial territory from its natural direction

the neighbouring African states — to the metropolitan power overseas .

171. The evil effects of colonialism are evident today,

particularly in the field of inter- African communica tions. There is little or no rail or road connection between the former British and French colonial terri

tories . Postal and telecommunication services are still

largely based upon the old colonial pattern which made 42

the imperial power the nerve-centre of communica tions through which all mail, telephone and telegraphic communications were routed .

172. The lack of inter-communication between African

countries is one of the greatest obstacles to inter

continental development. This obstacle can only be overcome when independent African states are able to plan their communication systems in concert. And this will only be possible when colonialism has been eradicated ; for as long as colonialism still exists in

any part of this continent it will be impossible to plan African development on a continental basis, or make the fullest use of African resources for the benefit of

the people. To ensure the economic stability of the Continent, Africa must begin to look inwards in

planning of her road and rail communications. Far too long has Africa been made to look outward in

her commercial relationships . 173. For these reasons, the Party considers that it is the duty of our Government to continue to be in the forefront of the struggle for the liberation of Africa. The Party recognises that freedom is indivisible .

The heroic fight which the Algerian people have

fought for seven years against colonial rule is a part of the struggle now being waged in East, Central and South Africa, as well as in the Portuguese colonies . An imperial power does not willingly grant freedom . Freedom is ceded by an imperial power only as a

result of pressures from an organised, militant move ment in a colonial territory. United Nations

174. The Party and Government strongly support the United Nations which they consider to be the most

important instrument in the world today for the

preservation of peace and for securing orderly change. The Party considers, however, that the United Nations should not play a purely passive role in international 43

affairs. There are in the world today great movements

for change which no power on earth can restrain . It is the duty of the United Nations to ensure that these

changes take place in an orderly and peaceful manner. The Party considers that the United Nations would

fail if it ever became a body for enforcing the status quo . It must not be converted into a “Holy Alliance of the early nineteenth century type, playing the role

of preserver of arbitrary frontiers and maintaining intact the existing colonial relationships. The Party realises that if the United Nations fails to effect a

change in the colonial system by peaceful means the continued existence of colonialism would constitute

a serious threat to world peace and security. The Party and Government will therefore pursue at the United Nations, in the General Assembly and in the

Security Council, a most vigorous policy aimed at securing peaceful settlement of all international issues,

including the complete and final liquidation of colo nialism which is the surest means to world peace .

African Unity 175. The Party has always been dedicated to the princi ple of African Unity and our Constitution provides for

the surrender in part or in whole of our sovereignty in the interest of African continental unity. The Party considers , however, that the surrender of sovereignty is a condition which we in Ghana must accept, if necessary , in order to promote the cause of unity in Africa. In the view of the Party and Government, a united Africa should seek three objectives :

Firstly, we should have over- all economic

planning on a united continental basis which would increase the industrial and economic power of

Africa. So long as we remain disunited, so long as we remain balkanized , regionally or territorially, we shall be at the mercy of colonialism and

imperialism . 44

There is a great contrast in this respect between Africa and Europe today. Whereas Europe is making frantic efforts in the direction of economic

and political integration, Africa is sadly being torn apart by the manoeuvres and intrigues of neo -colonialism .

The Party and Government see no alternative

to the political unification of Africa through economic integration.

Secondly , we should aim at the creation of a Joint Military Command . There is no wisdom in our present separate efforts to build up or maintain

vastmilitary forces for self defence which, in any case would be ineffective in any major conflict. If we examine this problem realistically, we would be able to ask ourselves this pertinent question :

which single State in Africa today can protect itself against an imperialist aggressor ?

Recently, anti-apartheid leaders have alleged that South Africa is building a great military might with all the latest weapons of destruction in order to crush African nationalism . If this is true, only the unity of Africa can prevent South Africa

from achieving such an aim . If we do not unite and combine our military forces for common defence , the individual States, out of a sense of

insecurity, may be drawn into making defence pacts which will endanger the security of us all.

There is also the expenditure aspect of this problem. The maintenance of military forces imposes a heavy financial burden on even the most wealthy States. For young African States, who need every penny they can get for development, it is ridiculous

-indeed, suicidal— for each State, individually, to assume such a heavy burden when the weight of this burden could be easily lightened by sharing it among themselves.

The third objective which we should have in Africa comes from the first two just described . 45

If we in Africa set up a common economic planning organisation and a joint military command, it follows that we shall have to adopt a common

foreign policy to give political direction to our national continental defence and our national

continental economic and industrial development planning 176. In the higher reaches of our endeavour, the Party and Government should devise some constitutional

structure which secures these objectives and yet preserves the sovereignty of each country joining the Union. For example , countries in such a union will

naturally maintain their own constitutions, continue to use their national flags, their national anthems and other symbols and paraphernalia of sovereignty which they do not have to surrender. Our survival depends

upon the political unity of Africa. The forces that unite us are far greater than the difficulties which divide us at present.

177. It is most important that African leaders must

now begin to find the best and quickest means by which we can pool our economic resources together for our mutual benefit. If we achieve this, we shall

raise in Africa a great industrial, economicand financial power comparable to anything the world has seen in our time.

178. The Party and Government consider, however, that we cannot establish such effective economic links

in Africa without giving them soundpolitical direction, force, and purpose . We must therefore come to grips with the major and basic issue of African unity which alone will make the artificial boundaries and regional demarcations inherited from colonialism obsolete and

superfluous. Disarmament and World Peace

179. It is the policy of the Party and Government to do everything possible to promote the cause of world peace. In this regard, the Government has lost no 46

opportunity to make its voice heard clearly and

unequivocally on issues of war and peace both inside and outside the counsels of the world .

180. The failure of the great powers not only to agree

on the cessation of nuclear testing, but also to disarm and the stock-piling of atomic weapons for mass destruction , remain the greatest source of danger to

mankind . The Party and Government have taken a definite stand on these matters by supporting the convening of a World Assembly in Accra to discuss ways and means whereby the world can be freed from

the dismal gloom and horror of possible annihilation

resulting from the use of atomic weapons. The Party and Government, in this connection, will continue its efforts to secure the preservation of Africa as a non-nuclear zone and will endeavour to obtain the co-operation of other African countries towards the achievement of this objective. 181. The Party and Government have always stated that Africa has a vested interest in peace and that the com plete and total liquidation of colonialism is a vital

means to world peace. Surely, the implementation of a programme such as the Party now lays before the country cannot be successfully achieved except in an atmosphere of peace and harmony in the world . It is

our fervent hope that the powers that be will endeavour to iron out their differences around the negotiation table in a spirit of mutual understanding andconcord in order to ensure that peace and sanity prevail throughout the world .

47

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