Let’s translate political independence into economic progress — UP, PNP

Two political parties have stressed the need for the citizenry to translate the country’s political independence and stability into economic progress.

The parties, the United Party (UP) and the People’s National Party (PNP), noted that while the country achieved political freedom decades ago, it still struggled with a form of economic dependence, particularly when it came to feeding its people.

This was contained in separate statements issued by the two political parties as the country marked its 69th Independence Day anniversary and signed by the Director of Communications of the UP, Solomon Owusu and the Chairperson and Leader of the PNP, Janet Asana Nabla.

UP

In its statement, the UP called on the citizenry to recommit themselves to building a country worthy of the sacrifices of the past and the hopes of generations yet to come.

It said the country must renew its commitment to integrity, accountability, and patriotic service.

“We must collectively support efforts that strengthen our institutions, uphold the rule of law, and ensure that public office remains a sacred trust exercised solely in the interest of the Ghanaian people,” it said in a statement signed by its Director of Communications, Solomon Owusu, to commemorate Ghana’s 69th Independence Day yesterday (March 6).

It said the future of the country depended not only on stability but on its ability to “translate that stability into economic progress, ethical leadership, and national transformation.”

Challenges

The statement noted that since March 6, 1957, the country had endured and matured through many challenges.

“Ghana has built and sustained a democratic culture and political stability that continues to command respect across Africa and the world.

This stability is a national achievement we must all protect,” it said, adding that stability must not become the final destination.

It said the next frontier of the national journey must be transformation.

“The true promise of independence was not merely political freedom; it was the creation of a nation where integrity guides leadership, institutions serve the people faithfully, and national resources are used to advance the collective prosperity of all Ghanaians,” it said.

Threats

The statement noted that one of the greatest threats to that promise remained corruption and the erosion of accountability in public life.

“Corruption weakens institutions, diverts resources meant for development, and undermines the confidence of citizens in the structures of governance,” it said.

PNP

For its part, the PNP noted that Ghana continued to import large quantities of food despite having the capacity to produce many of the same staples locally, such as rice, maize, beans, palm oil and a range of vegetables.

In spite of this, it said significant amounts of those products were still brought in from abroad.

The statement said the practice undermined local farmers who work hard to produce food but often struggle to find reliable markets for their harvests.

“Our farmers are working tirelessly on the land, yet their produce competes with imported goods that dominate our markets,” it said.

The statement said the growing presence of those foreign products raised serious questions about the country’s commitment to supporting local agriculture and strengthening its own food systems.

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Parades
It, therefore, said independence should mean more than parades, speeches and ceremonial events but must also be reflected in a nation’s ability to feed its people, support its farmers and build an economy that grows from its own resources.
It called for stronger national policies that prioritise locally produced food, particularly in public institutions such as schools and training centres.