Developing Ghana into business hub of West Africa, my priority – Kennedy Agyapong

The Member of Parliament for Assin Central Constituency, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, says he will develop Ghana into the business hub of West Africa when given the nod to lead the country.

He said as part of his strategy to achieve this, he would lay a solid foundation for industrial growth through sound economic policies.

“My leadership will focus on business development because I want to run Ghana like a business for unprecedented transformation to take place.

Mr Agyapong said this when he paid a courtesy call on the Chief of Mamponteng, Nana Barima Saasi Ayeboafo II, in the Kwabre East Municipality in the Ashanti Region over the weekend.

He said “I have the experience to create jobs for the youth with my record of business life. My steel company, when completed, will employ over 1,000 workers. It is named after Ashanti – Ashanti Steel.”

Touching on his implementation of robust policies to promote large scale mechanised agriculture, he noted that the Afram plains area and other parts of the country that had huge agriculture potential would be at the centre of targeted agriculture mechanisation initiatives.

“I have plans to create globally competitive industries, make commercial farming attractive like what pertains in Cote d’Ivoire, Tanzania and other industrialised countries.

Ghana is well endowed with minerals, and would be used to turn the economic fortunes of the country around,” he added.

He pledged to instil discipline, integrity, hard work and accountability in the citizens, especially the youth to contribute effectively to national development.

“The menace of corruption, greed, and nepotism in Ghana is due to lack of discipline. The absence of discipline in the national life of Ghanaians is why corruption, nepotism and greed have gained deep roots in public life,” he stressed.

On educational prospects, he said he would use his salary to establish a scholarship scheme in every constituency, noting that “I will not take and enjoy my salary. It will be channelled into a scholarship scheme to pay the fees of the poor, and I believe it will promote Ghana’s development in more ways than one.”

In the area of chieftaincy, Mr Agyapong pledged to promote the active participation of chiefs in national governance and also rely on the wise counsel and wisdom of the traditional rulers in his administration.

The Assin Central MP donated 200 street lights to people of the Mamponteng area.

He said street lighting had been observed to be a major problem in Ghana, with a number of the lights not working while those working were using high-pressure sodium bulbs which consumed a lot of electricity.

“Street lighting is an essential road furniture. It ensures security at night for road users, contributes to improved road safety and enhances our quality of life and standard of living,” Mr Agyapong said.

He gave the assurance to complete works on the ongoing market in Kwabre and appealed to the assembly members for their maximum support in that direction.

On his part, Nana Barima Saasi Ayeboafo II, expressed his appreciation to the MP for his visit and assured him of warm reception at all times.

However, he appealed for the completion of the Kwabre market and road infrastructure in his area.

“Our roads are in deplorable state. Many road constructions have been abandoned. TVET education needs key attention in the area.  Speak for us so that life can be made more dignifying and comfortable for the inhabitants,” he indicated.

The Chief admonished Mr Agyapong not to abandon his boldness after victory to lead the party to iron out all differences that could rise in the primaries, and unite the rank and file of the party to break the eight-year jinx of governance in the Fourth Republic.

“I hope the delegates give you the nod. Work extremely hard by improving the party’s grassroots’ structure.

“Work with traditional leaders and, most importantly, ensure that the government focuses on eradication of poverty, creation of jobs and construction of roads,” the chief added.

By Cliff Ekuful