Mr John Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, Minister for Trade and Industry, on Friday, December 9, 2022, interacted with the national officers and staff at the headquarters of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) as part of a working visit.
Flanked by cheerful and elated supporters, Mr Kyerematen was warmly welcomed by the leadership of the Party led by Mr Stephen Ayesu Ntim, National Chairman and Lawyer Justin Kodua Frimpong, General Secretary. Other national officers in attendance were Mr Danquah Smith Buttey, National First Vice Chairman; Madam Rita Asobayire, National Second Vice Chairperson; Alhaji Masawudu Osman, National Third Vice Chairperson; Dr Charles Dwamena, National Treasurer; Mr Henry Nana Boakye, National Organiser; Salam Mustapha, National Youth Organizer; Alhaji Aziz Haruna Futa, Nasara Coordinator; Miss Miriam Awurama Duah, Deputy National Women Organiser; Safia Mohammed, Deputy National Women Organiser; Mr William Yamoah, Director for Finance and Administration; Mr Richard Ahiagbah, Director for Communications, and Dr Nyame Baafi, Deputy Director for Research.
In a brief welcome address, the National Chairman lauded Mr Kyerematen for his visit and recounted other government appointees who have made similar visits as part of efforts to bridge the gap between party functionaries and government appointees. He reiterated the need for government appointees to collaborate with the party in the latter’s bid to present a united front for victory during the 2024 general elections.
The Party-government engagement series, Chairman Ntim said, is one of the several initiatives introduced by the current national executives to achieve the aforementioned objective.
He noted that other initiatives and interventions such as “Time With Patrons”, “Time With Ambassadors”, “Time With CEOs, regular meetings with the Party’s parliamentary group among others, are all geared towards enhancing the working relationship between Party functionaries and government appointees.
Responding to the warm reception accorded him, Mr Kyerematen briefed the leadership of the party on some key interventions rolled out by the Ministry of Trade and Industry since the year 2017, when he was appointed as minister.
He disclosed that his Ministry has pursued two major objectives aimed at minimising unemployment and strengthening the Ghanaian economy.
He further noted that towards achieving these objectives, the Ministry of Trade and Industry has developed a comprehensive programme to fully industrialise Ghana as practised by developed economies globally.
He asserted that it is not for nothing that the most powerful and developed countries worldwide are also the most industrialised.
Mr. Kyerematen cited specifically amongst others, the revival of existing distressed companies with stimulus packages; the introduction of the One District One Factory (1D1F) initiative, diversification of the economy with the introduction of ten new economic anchors, increasing Ghana’s export through the opportunity offered by the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCTA), creation of specialised industrial parks and economic zones to accommodate manufacturing and processing companies, and the creation of an enabling environment for local businesses to thrive as some interventions by the Ministry of Trade and Industry since 2017.
Moreover, he highlighted other initiatives by his Ministry to create sustainable jobs and strengthen the local economy.
These included: the establishment of over seventy (70) Business Development Centres nationwide in support of Small and Medium Enterprises, State of Art Technology Centres to build components for industries, the establishment of the Ghana Enterprises Agency to provide financial support to Small and Medium Enterprises and the establishment of assembling plants by global automotive giants such as Toyota, Nissan, Volkswagen, Kia, Peugeot and Hyundai.
Mr Kyerematen also noted that industrialisation should be prioritised if Ghana is to address its perennial economic challenges of unemployment, high import and inflation.
According to him, the various interventions introduced by the Ministry of Trade and Industry provide avenues for the rich and poor, young and aged, as well as citizens and foreigners to actively participate in growing the economy of the country.
He urged all and sundry to be part of the plan to industrialise Ghana.
Mr Kyerematen was accompanied by Hon. Carlos Ahenkorah, Hon. Sylvester Tetteh, Hon. Catherine Afeku, Hon. Yaw Buabeng Asamoah, Alhassan Samari and Mr Hopson Adorye among others.
On his part, the General Secretary also lauded Mr Kyerematen for his visit and the numerous interventions by his Ministry.
He commended him highly for his cooperation when the party wrote a letter to him regarding a health walk that was organized by some group alleging to be his supporters, in violation of the party’s Code of Conduct for pre-parliamentary and presidential primaries.
Lawyer Kodua Frimpong assured that the leadership of the party will remain neutral, fair and transparent during the party’s presidential and parliamentary primaries in 2023.
In response to the General Secretary’s remarks that the Party is in the process of printing albums for its upcoming primaries, Mr Kyerematen pledged to support the exercise by paying for the entire cost of printing the albums.
He requested the leadership of the Party to, indeed, assert their impartiality and provide a level playing field for all prospective candidates in the interest of the Party.
Source: Mybrytnewsroom.com/Kwabena Nyarko Abronoma
