The Transformative Power of Kennedy Agyapong's Industrial Revolution: A Glimpse into Ghana's Potential

As the New Patriotic Party (NPP) gears up for its presidential primaries, Mr. Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, a frontliner in the race, has put forth an ambitious agenda to transform the country's economy through industrialization. But what does this mean for Ghana's future?

The slow industrial growth of Ghana is part of the reasons why the country still remains under-developed because industrialisation is a key driver of economic growth and national development. Ken's industrial vision aims at transforming Ghana's economy from its current reliance on primary commodities to a more diversified and resilient model.

The way politicians have been leading the country has reduced politics in Ghana to what Captain John Pope describes as "the madness of the many for the benefit of the few." This stems from the fact that the few privileged and their allies in the country have been riding on the passions and minds of the gullible majority to win power and after that leverage this power to promote their parochial interests at the detriment of the majority. This is evidenced in the opulent lifestyles the politicians live at the expense of the poor jobless tax paying Ghanaian.

Despite knowing that it will cost the country a jet propelled industrial revolution to develop, a president is yet to show the ability and goodwill to industrialise the nation. All the presidents since 1992 have been governing the country by borrowing and taxing the jobless citizens to pay those debts.

For a road to be constructed, the government must borrow. For a hospital to be built, the government must borrow. For a community to get power supply, the government must borrow. Interestingly, some government appointees position themselves to benefit from the money the country borrows. To make matters worse, after running down state owned companies like the Ghana Water Company Ltd and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), the politicians impose more taxes or upwardly adjust utility bills to burden the poor, jobless tax payers.

Ken is saying enough is enough. The citizens deserve decent jobs and decent lives. That is why he has offered himself to lead the NPP, a party whose tradition is rooted in creating enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

He has indeed proven through his campaign that he is capable of Industrialising the nation. He is the only politician who has practically demonstrated how he would execute a promise. What puts more weight on his promise is his personal experience as an industrialist and a business mogul with international exposure.

Aside from Ken's ability to walk his talk, Ghana also has great industrial potential. The country is blessed with diverse natural resources which include but not limited to mineral resources, cocoa, rubber, palm, legumes, tubers and cereals.

The country's location is also strategic for industrial activities. Positioned in a growing regional market with access to the ECOWAS and other international trade makes Ghana a strategic location for industrial activities. Ghana's youthful population also provides a ready workforce for the factories that will be set up.

Ken's promise to launch a full scale, jet propelled industrialisation is not only possible, but he is also capable of walking his talk, judging from his personal track record as a business man who has created jobs for thousands of Ghanaians.

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 Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC).