Flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kennedy Agyapong, says that if he wins the NPP’s presidential primaries and subsequently becomes president, he will relocate the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to Tamale in the Northern Region.
According to him, his government will place a premium on large-scale vegetable production in the Northern Region, with plans to export produce directly to the European market through the Tamale Airport. He believes this initiative will significantly reduce Ghana’s reliance on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank for financial support.
Speaking on Spear FM in the Savannah Region as part of his campaign tour, the former Assin Central MP said that solving unemployment through agriculture is key to economic independence.
“If we can solve unemployment problems, then we don’t need people who think they are highly educated and can go to the IMF and the World Bank for loans,” he said. “Anytime you go to the IMF for loans, it means you have failed your people.”
He added that massive investment in agriculture and agro-processing is one of the surest ways to transform the economy. “From Tamale to London is about five hours, so by the time the British wake up in the morning, our pineapples, carrots and vegetables will be on their market,” he stated.
