Dr. Nduom Leads Development Projects In KEEA

Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom has confirmed his grand plan to lead the development of a mini economy within the broader national economy in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem (KEEA) municipality. This would include an industrial estate to manufacture food containers, a machine shop and related products.

The industrial estate will develop products to integrate with the planned sugar factory in the Komenda area. The mini economy is one reason why Groupe Nduom (GN) the company Dr. Nduom leads is intent on studying the feasibility of developing railway service from Accra through KEEA to Takoradi.

Dr. Nduom made this known at a meeting with Ghanaian media in the UK during a brief stopover in London on 22nd December, 2014. Present at the media event was the Chairman of the Progressive People's Party (PPP) in the UK, Mr. Kit Yawson, the Secretary, Mr. Victor Nunoo and others.

Dr. Nduom acknowledged the work being done by Ghanaian media in the UK saying that "... I know that you provide a useful source of information about what goes on in Ghana to the Ghanaian community in the UK and Europe. Contributions to our national economy by the Ghanaian diaspora is oftremendous importance toour country as you help sustain many families and also support development activities in the country".

The PPP he said is the only political party that has committed itself to the implementation of the law to allow Ghanaians in the diaspora to vote and also introduce specific measures to make it easier for Ghanaians abroad to invest and come back home to help our nation in various ways from the many experiences gained abroad.

Dr. Nduom reiterated his position on corruption by recalling that on 21st August 2012 he dedicated himself to a cause that was and still is a crucial pre-requisite for lasting peace and prosperity – a crusade against corruption and an undying commitment to fundamental changes in our political system in Ghana. He said he asked Ghanaians to make 7th December 2012 Judgment Day, and pass judgment on corruption, judgment debts and waste of public funds. He said that while he and the PPP lost the election, he was convinced that Ghanaians lost something big that day. Dr. Nduom said, "You get what you vote for and having not voted for the PPP, what did Ghanaians have he asked; a society that was weighed down by corruption, indiscipline, high cost of living, and erratic power supply, a high cost of energy, illiteracy and poverty?.

He noted that Ghanaians were experiencing all of these problems in the midst of abundant God-given natural resources.". He continued, "I threw a challenge to the presidential candidates of the NDC, the NPP and the other parties to demonstrate their personal commitment in concrete terms before the election. I suggested to all presidential candidates to disclose income tax returns, assets and sources of campaign funding for their political parties.

I also asked them to commit to support a package of three constitutional reforms that are essential to minimize corruption, give power back to the people by electing District, Municipal and Metropolitan Chief Executives, and increase competence in government to unleash accelerated development by removing the constitutional requirement to appoint ministers from parliament."

According to Dr. Nduom, the PPP since the 2012 elections has made representations to the Constitutional Review Implementation Committee (CRIC), the Council of State and His Excellency President Mahama and are currently seeking audience with Parliament, the Catholic Bishops Conference and the National Peace Council. The PPP he said was the first to make concrete suggestions to the Electoral Commission for comprehensive electoral reforms in Ghana.

"Whilst others are scheming to take advantage of the weaknesses in the electoral system, our party has been advocating for the strengthening of the Electoral Commission and the process of conducting elections. We have condemned in no uncertain terms the arbitrary decision by some civil society players and their accomplices in the political parties to entrench the use of "political parties with representation in Parliament" as a means of deciding what defines a legitimate political party. This is against the moral fabric of our constitution and freedom of association. Ghana will not be a two party state."

Finally, Dr. Nduom said that to him politics is not all about elections. That is why the PPP is building the party by promoting specific policies on education, health care, industrialization and supporting the Ghanaian private sector. The PPP he said, has come to stay and is focusing on building its base among the youth.

Kit Yawson. London
29th December 2014