Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, a New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer aspirant, has vowed to relocate key ministries from Accra to various parts of the country.
According to Kennedy Agyapong, his proposal is aimed at shifting the administrative and economic structure of the country by empowering regions to manage major sectors of the economy.
He highlighted that decentralisation should no longer be a political slogan but a thoughtful effort to move government, employment opportunities and infrastructure development to all regions.
The former lawmaker detailed that ministries would be relocated based on the natural strengths of each region.
He revealed plans to move the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to the northern part of the country to take advantage of its fertile lands and livestock potential.
Speaking to supporters during his campaign tour of Salaga North, Mr Agyapong said, “For decades, successive governments have spoken about decentralisation without taking bold steps to make it happen. The result has been unequal development, congestion in Accra, and the slow death of towns that once had economic promise.”
“With the ministry and its agencies located there, the north would attract direct investment in agricultural processing, storage, and mechanisation, creating jobs and reducing poverty,” he said.
He added, “With its mountains, waterfalls, beaches, and rich cultural heritage, the Volta Region has all it takes to become a major tourism and creative arts hub.
“It makes no sense for young people from every region to move to Accra simply because that is where the jobs are. When we move ministries, private sector jobs will follow, and towns that are currently ignored will come alive again.”
Ken Agyapong further explained, “With digital management, video conferencing, and data integration, ministries can function effectively regardless of their location”.
“True unity is built when citizens feel that government works for them no matter where they live,” he noted.
In related news, Kennedy Agyapong, has said Ghana is not poor but poor in leadership.
He asserted that in Ghana, the same people come around telling us to vote for them, but have failed to deliver.
Speaking in a recent interview in the Upper West Region, Ken Agyapong stated, “You are not poor; you are poor in leadership. And these same people will come and tell you, ‘Vote for Mr A,’ and they cannot change your life.
Kennedy Agyapong emphasised that Ghana need a businessman who will come and create industries.
He added, “You need a businessman who will come and create industries, at least in the five northern regions. I’m going to move two ministries to the five northern regions. The first one, I know, will go to Tamale — because of the Tamale Airport. And I’m sure, because you have the airstrip (Upper West Region), whatever you have here, we have to turn it into a proper airport so that we can send our produce to the European market, UK market, and the rest with cargo planes”.
He further heaped praises on the President of Burkina Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, for the development he is bringing to his country.
“We are closer to Burkina. Go and see what the young man is doing. Are you saying he’s a better human being than us? No, but he loves his country, that is all. He’s sacrificing his life for Burkina Faso. Do we have the same people here?” he quizzed.