A flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, has distinguished himself as the sole candidate among the ten vying for the party’s flagbearer position with comprehensive plans to enhance the quality of life in Ghana.
Asserting that his approach stands out, he underscored his vision of propelling agriculture to underpin the growth of various economic sectors and his ambitious initiative to create enterprises for the NPP.
These concepts, he believes, are highly feasible, and when implemented, they will deliver the long-awaited positive transformation that Ghanaians have yearned for.
Based on his extensive travels across the nation, Dr. Afriyie Akoto acknowledged the diminished optimism among people due to their enduring economic struggles.
Fueled by this observation, he is galvanized to challenge conventional business principles and enhance the lives of the populace.
During an interview at his campaign office in Accra on August 15, 2023, he expounded that his vision of establishing NPP-owned enterprises isn’t groundbreaking, as similar endeavors have prospered globally.
These ventures, he noted, have generated substantial income and job opportunities for party activists.
“The morale of the people are down. The revival of their morale is based on what I intend to do. I have big plans for Ghana – plans that can generate income for the development of our great NPP to pay our activists handsomely to encourage them to work hard for this party; and plans to use agriculture to develop the other sectors of the economy. These are ambitious plans that I have prioritized to implement when given the nod to lead the NPP and Ghana,” he noted.
Elaborating on his aspirations for the NPP, Dr. Akoto, a former two-term Member of Parliament for Kwadaso, shared his vision to establish a network of party-owned businesses on national, regional, and constituency levels, all managed by a central holding company.
These enterprises, he explained, would provide a revenue stream for party operations and create employment opportunities for members.
Drawing inspiration from examples such as Taiwan’s Kuomintang (KMT), South Africa’s ANC, and Rwanda’s RPF, who have developed substantial business interests, Dr. Akoto envisioned a parallel scenario for the NPP.
He emphasized that this approach is pragmatic and sustainable, allowing the party to flourish while positively impacting society.
“In essence, my vision for the party is based on proven models from other parts of the world. For instance, the African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa owns various businesses, including mining and insurance companies. This strategy enables them to pay reasonable wages to their members and activists, fostering job creation and development. I intend to bring this vision to the New Patriotic Party, elevating our capabilities and transforming lives,” he affirmed.
Concerning his vision for the country, Dr. Akoto underlined the untapped wealth in Ghana’s agricultural sector.
He proposed agriculture as the catalyst to break the cycle of poverty and debt dependency. Drawing from his experience as the Minister of Food and Agriculture, he advocated for comprehensive support to farmers and the establishment of enabling institutions.
His leadership in founding the Tree Development Authority (TDA), aimed at nurturing six key tree crops, showcased his commitment to transforming Ghana’s agricultural landscape.
Dr. Akoto aspires for these efforts to mirror cocoa’s success, potentially yielding annual revenues ranging from US$6 billion to US$12 billion for the nation.
“This is my vision – a vision of utilizing agriculture to address poverty at its core. We must move away from perpetual borrowing and reliance on external institutions. Ghana’s farmers, with the right support, have the capacity to drive this change. My priority is to empower them and facilitate the creation of necessary institutions,” he asserted.