Akufo-Addo storms Adom FM, renews promise to revive Tema

The Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has renewed his pledge to industrialise Ghana and move the country's development agenda along at a faster pace.

In line with this vision, Ghana's industrial city, Tema will receive special attention under an Akufo-Addo presidency in order to restore the vision of anchoring Ghana's industrial and ultimately national development.

Nana Akufo-Addo reiterated his pledge when he visited the studios of Adom 106.3 FM on Tuesday September 4, 2012 as part of his campaign tour of the Tema West Constituency of the Greater Accra region.

The visit forms part of his nationwide tour to 'Restore Hope' and seek the mandate of Ghanaians in the December 7 parliamentary and presidential elections.

He had earlier visited the Tema General Hospital, Adjei-Kojo School for the deaf, Texpo market at Baatsona, Sakumono Village, Klagon, Community 11 car washing bay and the Community 2 market, where he interacted with the electorate.

Security men at Adom FM had a hectic time controlling the teeming crowd who virtually took over the surroundings and corridors of the station in their eagerness to see the NPP flagbearer.

In a brief interview with Adom News Editor Afia Pokua, Nana Akufo-Addo wondered why the NDC government under the late President Mills and now President Mahama had not built on the “excellent” foundation laid by the Kufuor administration to re-ignite some of the largest industries in the city, including the re-acquisition of the Valco Aluminium smelting plant and a significant retooling of the Tema Oil Refinery.

He was particularly troubled by the shutdown of the refinery, which he blamed for the gas shortage across the country.

“There are some things I still don't understand. The continuous lockdown of VALCO. We (NPP) believe VALCO is an important national asset, that's why (President) Kufuor bought back all the shares because it was going to be an integral part of the aluminum integrated industry planned for the country, capable of giving us all the necessary supplies for supporting that initiative.

“Same with the gas. When TOR was working in Kufuor's time, we didn't have these shortages. Now there are different policies, where we are importing everything. Today VALCO has been shut, TOR has been shut. These are assets that have been created over years for our country, and they are now idle.

“I don't understand it and if by God's grace NPP is given the mandate, these places will be up and running again in the interest of the workforce in Tema.

“Tema, industrial city, should be the microcosm for the rest of the country. My main aim is how we can industrialise the economy, and Tema should be the very centre of that whole idea and vision.”

Welcoming the president's intention of meeting leaders of the other political parties, Nana Akufo-Addo said he would use the opportunity to ask President Mahama what the government was doing about the various atrocities meted out to NPP supporters in Chereponi, Akwatia, Agbogbloshie and other areas where politics had degenerated into violence.

Nana Akufo-Addo appealed to the residents of the metropolis to vote for the party's parliamentary candidates for Tema East and West, Kofi Brako and Irene Naa Torshie Addo.

He mocked at the Local Government Minister Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, who is standing on the NDC ticket for Tema West, saying the Minister, who was a former MP for Fanteakwa in the Eastern region, was probably scared of the competition in the region hence his decision to shift camp to the Greater Accra Region.

He was quick to add though, that he was confident the NPP candidate would give him a sound thrashing.

The NPP flagbearer was later scheduled to visit Tema Community 2 BBC station for a campaign launch, rally and the Lashibi ICGC for a church service.

He was accompanied into the studio by a large entourage including NPP General Secretary Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie aka Sir John; Greater Accra NPP Chairman Ishmael Ashittey; MP for Tema West Irene Naa Torshie Addo; Mrs Elizabeth Sackey, MP for Ablekuma South, Samuel Abu Jinapor, aide to Nana Akufo-Addo, and Nii Kwartei Titus Glover, a member of the NPP Communications Team.