Alan Kyerematen Pledges to Reduce Exchange Rate to Five Cedis if Elected President.

Accra: Mr. Alan Kyerematen, a presidential candidate for the Movement for Change, has pledged to stabilize Ghana's economy by reducing the exchange rate to below five Cedis per US dollar if elected as President. During a significant event, termed the Walk, in the Greater Accra Region, Mr. Kyerematen expressed astonishment over the prevailing economic issues and reiterated his commitment to economic transformation aimed at tackling the nation's inflation and exchange rate challenges. According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Kyerematen highlighted the current exchange rate, which stands at approximately $1=17 Cedis, as unacceptable. He promised to revamp the economy to restore confidence and enhance the purchasing power of Ghanaians. In his address following the Walk, he identified four primary issues plaguing the country: unemployment, corruption, illegal mining (Galamsey), and the faltering economy. He assured that his Great Transformational Plan (GTP) embeds comprehensive solutions to these issues, establishing it as the sole pragmatic blueprint designed to address the root causes of these challenges. Mr. Kyerematen emphasized his distinctiveness in presenting practical solutions to Ghana's pressing concerns, thereby bolstering confidence among his supporters. His strategy includes focusing on an agricultural revolution, industrial transformation, and tourism promotion, which he considers critical for job creation and economic stability. He elaborated that robust investment in agriculture and local industries would generate sustainable employment opportunities, particularly for the youth. His plan further stresses boosting domestic production and reducing import dependency to alleviate pressure on the cedi. Addressing youth empowerment, Mr. Kyerematen expressed concern over the high youth unemployment rate, which has driven many into illegal mining, or Galamsey. He pledged to create legal pathways for young Ghanaians to engage in responsible small-scale mining. He assured, "I will cease the licenses of those polit icians who have been using the youth and give them to the youth to establish small-scale mining companies that will be owned by them." Additionally, he proposed government support by providing mining equipment and machines on a work-and-pay basis, enabling young entrepreneurs to establish themselves in the sector. As a former Trade and Industry Minister, Mr. Kyerematen outlined policies enabling young people to start their businesses, promising governmental support through funding, business development training, and market access. He asserted that, owing to these youth empowerment policies, it would be challenging for any youth to complete school without securing jobs or self-employment opportunities. Mr. Kyerematen also clarified his stance on political inclusivity, promising a national unity approach by appointing the most qualified individuals across political lines to key positions. He declared, "In my government, if you are NDC, NPP, or someone who doesn't do politics but can do the job, I will appoint you to be part of it," emphasizing competency as the primary criterion. He assured that job opportunities would be accessible to all, devoid of political affiliations, stating, "In my government, you don't need a political party card before you get a job to do. All you need is the Ghana Card." Alan's proposed policies, which include youth empowerment, a focus on agriculture and industry, and support for responsible small-scale mining, are aligned with his GTP. By addressing the fundamental causes of economic instability, Mr. Kyerematen aims to set the nation on a sustainable path to prosperity. His vision resonates with a nation yearning for economic relief and sustainable development, offering a clear objective to tackle the ongoing exchange rate and inflation crisis.