...his candidature for Presidency on CPP Ticket
Accra, Aug. 15, GNA - Professor Agyemang Badu Akosa former Director-General of the Ghana Health Service on Wednesday declared his candidature for the Flag bearership of the Convention People's Party (CPP) to contest for the 2008 presidential election. He said his intention to go into politics was purely to serve his country, continent and humanity and he was ready to lead CPP to redefine the politics of Ghana.

Announcing his candidature at a press conference in Accra, Prof Akosa noted that the failure of past leaders to live up to expectation had created doubts in the minds many Ghanaians about the performance of politicians adding; "Fellow countrymen and women, we cannot continue to live off the failure of others, to give hope and effectively leave our fate to the manipulations of a selfish few.

"We have to rise above such doubts and be determined. We must be resolute, for with God on our side, everything is possible and we shall overcome".

He noted that CPP was the only party that could restore hope and foster shared growth and development for all Ghanaians and he was the man to lead the party to attain this goal.

He expressed regret that politics in Ghana today had made people arrogant, greedy, selfish and disrespectful and that has placed the needs of a tiny few, above the necessities of the overwhelming majority. A sad state of despair, living side by side with insensitive ostentation.

He said when given the opportunity, he would ensure that every Ghanaian will work and rise to their fullest potential and talent for their collective development, "and that is what my government will do."

Prof Akosa questioned the vision of Ghana today where the middle-income status had a per capita income of 1000 dollars by 2015 and said he was yet to read a clear road map that will lead Ghanaians there. He regretted that agriculture, which was described by the employment statistics as still subsistence engaged 60 per cent of the employees and contributed only 35 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product whilst manufacturing contributed just nine per cent from 16 per cent in the mid 70's.

"Ghana is now a nation of traders, 'buying and selling' what others have produced. Indeed things that we should produce in this country include shoes, radios, TV's, sugar, matches and tomato paste. "We have allowed the over 100 industries built during CPP era to collapse or be sold, while we look to outsiders for our sustenance. The wanton and hasty disposal of the nation's assets to outsiders with empire-building ambitions is a bad omen for our future economy". He condemned the intention to sell Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) and described ADB as strategic for the mainstay of Ghana's economic development and said, "Like any self-respecting nation, we must prioritize our national and strategic interests. It is our moral and constitutional duty to do so".

Prof. Akosa bemoaned the fact that Ghana had become a nation where second-hand clothes and goods were allowed into the country, which did not do the image, confidence and developmental needs any good. He said the welfare of Ghanaians did not appear to be important in the politics of Ghana and CPP would ensure that it was central on their agenda.

On education, Prof. Akosa said there was not much skill and knowledge taught at the primary and junior secondary school and that had made it difficult for any school-leaver at that level to survive the harsh realities of life. He said his government, when voted into power will give a facelift to education in Ghana.

On health, he commended the New Patriotic Party government for the introduction of the National Health Insurance Scheme though it had been plagued with numerous problems and was still struggling for better management.

Commenting on the recent narcotic issues, he said it was unfortunate Ghana had been turned into transit zone for such drugs and CPP under his direction would broaden the front of the war against drugs to include not just interdiction but also relentless public education and treatment of the young ones who had fallen victims of this social canker.

Prof Akosa called on all CPP electorate to vote him to lead the CPP to victory.