Nana Akufo-Addo To Move Ghana From Third World-To-World Industrialized Nations

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Ghana’s ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential Candidate, has told Canadian investors and Chief Executives of Financial institutions that under his administration, he plans to move Ghana from the third world to the group of the world industrialized nations.

After the presidential and parliamentary elections later this year, Nana Akufo-Addo explained that the economy of Ghana has stabilized and the Ghanaian currency, cedi, is strong and is equal to the dollar in North America.

The western world has confidence in the Ghanaian economy. As a result, 700 million dollar bonds the Ghana government floated this year was over subscribed to the tune of 3.1 billion dollars.

Nana Akufo-Addo was addressing business tycoons at a private luncheon hosted by Douglas E. Steiner, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Perimeter Financial Corporation, on Friday, May 30, 2008 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The NPP Presidential Candidate regretted that the bonds that were originally floated for Ghanaians in the Diaspora were woefully subscribed.

He told the Business Executives that Ghana abounds in natural resources and it was his plan to harness them to push the nation Ghana to the world great-industrialized nations. In addition, the nation has found one of the high-grade crude oil in the world and drilling will start in two years time.

Again, the plan includes improving the living conditions of the people, Nana Akufo-Addo stressed, adding currently the government has in operation health insurance scheme for all Ghanaians.

Nana Akufo-Addo assured the investors and Business Executives of the investment opportunities in the country and hoped that they would take advantage of the opportunity to come and invest in Ghana.

He noted with appreciation that some of the investors present were in business as usual in Ghana..

During question time, a human rights activist at the luncheon asked “we are aware of the human rights record of Jerry Rawlings, former President of Ghana. What is the government doing about him? He is walking freely in Ghana.”

Replying, Nana Akufo-Addo said the government believes in the rule of law and the Ghanaian constitution. He said there are entrenched articles in it, which protect Jerry Rawlings from arrest and prosecution for any human rights abuses under his regime.

To amend those articles that indemnify him, the government would need two-thirds approval rate in a referendum, he emphasized

The Presidential Candidate dismissed the idea of a referendum and said it would be a futile exercise and waste of resources. “We are focusing on our development plan,” he pointed out.

Notwithstanding, if Jerry Rawlings contravenes any of the statutes of the land, he would be dealt with as any other citizen.

Earlier, Mr. Steiner had welcomed Nana Akufo-Addo and his entourage and thanked him for honouring his invitation.

The entourage included Dr. K. K. Apraku, Chairman of Nana Akufo-Addo’s Campaign Team, Nana Ohene Ntow, General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nich Adi-Darko, Director of Operations, Dr. Arthur Kennedy. Communications Director, Yaw Osafo Maafo, former Minister of Finance.

Others were Mrs. Ivy Amoakohene, Ghana’s High Commissioner in Canada, Mr. Christian Akyempon, Business Development Manager in Toronto, Mr. MacDonald Agbenyo, and Alex Barning, Chairman and Vice-Chairman, respectively of the Toronto Chapter of the NPP.

Earlier in the morning, Nana Akufo-Addo had interacted with 50 foreign and Ghanaian businessmen and women at a breakfast meeting.