NDC has demonstrated Unwavering Commitment To Asanteman’s Development – Akwasi Oppong-Fosu

Hon. Akwasi Oppong-Fosu, a former local government minister, has expressed optimism that the NDC will make the greatest impact in the Ashanti region since the country returned to constitutional rule in 1992.
He observed that the two key factors will account for this unprecedented electoral gain in the region. The first is the realisation that the much touted role of Asanteman led by Baffuor Akoto as the founders of the NPP tradition is without substance as no Ashanti is recognised alongside the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition. The second is a youth population who wants leadership to open up opportunities for their advancement and not to be tied to age-old political traditions that take them nowhere.
On a one-on-one live interview with Kwabena Owusu Dankwa, host of Kessben Maakye program, Hon Akwasi Oppong-Fosu, who served for 18 years in Ashanti region as a DCE, traced the many developmental projects from the PNDC era to the NDC and emphasised that, the NDC unquestionably remains the only political party that has demonstrated unwavering commitment to Asanteman. He recalled that during the PNDC era, the deplorable state of Kumasi township roads was fixed through a barter system with the then German Democratic Republic where copra from the western was exchanged for the asphalted roads in Kumasi. He also rejected the recent viral video, which seeks to credit President Kuffuor with the Kumasi Kajetia Market Project. According to Hon Opong-Fosu, during the first few weeks of his assumption of office as Minister of Local Government, he was approached by Nana Amoamanhene, who was the promoter of the project Following discussions held and noting the importance of the project, he had a meeting with President Mahama, who readily endorsed it as a project that will bring immense benefits to Asanteman and Ghana as a whole. He advised that whilst we may have our political allegiances, we must at all times uphold our values of truthfulness, integrity, and honesty.
Addressing concerns that John Mahama has only four years to serve, he emphasized that leadership is not about duration. He pointed out that some world leaders such as president Kennedy, president Sankara who served less than four years still left a good legacy, so the duration of service does not necessarily count.

Reflecting on the 2016 elections, he noted that the issues that led to the NDC’s defeat are even worse under the Akufo-Addo administration, citing cedi depreciation, unemployment, and a high standard of living. He argued that the current economic challenges were not caused by the Russia-Ukraine war or COVID-19, a claim clarified by the Managing Director of the World Bank. He also mentioned that during the State of the Nation Address, the current president stated they made a profit from COVID-19.

He further explained that there are many ways to revive the economy, including improving policies, reducing the cost of running the government, boosting investor confidence, and lowering the cost of importing food. He emphasized that the first step is to build investor confidence.

Hon. Oppong-Fosu described the 24-hour economy as a game changer, explaining that it focuses on continuous production. This approach would help shift from taxation to production, as taxation is seen as a lazy way for the government to generate revenue. He highlighted the significant role of the Ashanti Region in deciding the next president and urged the people to vote based on development rather than tradition. He pleaded with the Ashanti people to prioritize development over the notion that voting for a particular party is in their blood.