Beyond Kennedy Agyapong's Promise to Industrialise Ghana's Economy

Every election campaign is characterised by promises; so is that of Mr. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer hopeful is campaigning on the promise of addressing the country's protracted unemployment problem with a new wave of industrialisation.

Unlike other politicians who normally make open-ended promises, the industrialist, philanthropist, business mogul, and former lawmaker has been giving practical demonstrations of how his government would promote industrialisation. For instance, he has hinted of lining up 13 billionaires to partner Ghanaian business men in this industrial venture, a claim that defies doubt.

His inspiration to transform Ghana's economy to create jobs is grounded in his belief that, "Job is life and whoever has a job has life," a powerful remark he made on the day he filed his nomination forms to contest the NPP flagbearer race.

Beyond Ken's promise of industrialising the country are his nation-building attributes. The NPP flagbearer hopeful is a living testimony of patriotism, honesty and discipline, key determinants of national development.

The business mogul and politician has on a number of occasions proven to the whole world that his love for the country has no equal. This is evidenced in the many times he has come to the aid of the country with his personal resources. Ken was the first private citizen to donate to the nation when the coronavirus pandemic broke out in 2020. He did not only donate money for the acquisition of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), but he also leveraged his business links to ensure that the PPEs were produced for the country.

He is also on record to have provided hospitals with equipment that are very critical to quality healthcare delivery. For instance, aside from hospital beds, mattresses and wheel chairs, Ken has provided Komfour Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) with a cancer treatment machine that cost a whooping 1.4 billion cedis. He is currently funding the construction of a cardio and dialysis centre at the 37 Military Hospital, which will cost him millions of US dollars.

It is recalled how Ken intervened to rescue Ghanaian women who became stranded in Lebanon in their quest to search for greener pastures. What is the link between his patriotism and national development? This is a one million dollar question that needs to be addressed.

Someone who can use his personal resources to address national problems will not take advantage of the country when he is given the power to lead in the mobilisation and distribution of national resources for the good of all. As the President of Ghana, the patriotic Ken will ensure that national resources are used to develop the nation and not to enrich corrupt members of his government and other public servants as we see happen under all the governments since the inception of the 4th Republic.

The honest and disciplined Ken who has never shied away from speaking truth to his party members and government will not hesitate to call for the prosecution of any member of his government who engages in corruption. Shameless filing of nollie prosequi to free alleged corrupt members of his government from prosecution will attract open rebuke and dismissal of his Attorney General.

In sum, with his PHD, Ken will not only put Ghana first by using the resources of the nation for the good of all, but he will also rutelssly deal with corruption, a social monster, that has denied the wealthy nation of development. Topping this up with his promise of industrialising the country, will make Ghana a safe haven for the citizens.

Ghanaians can't wait to give the country a chance to develop. So, any decision to deny them of their man will attract their anger and that could spell a doom for the NPP.

The author is an independent political observer, a columnist with Modern Ghana, an esteemed online news portal and a regular contributor to News Commentary, a current affairs programme by the GBC.