Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, has urged the Akufo Addo-led government to consider running state Enterprises as was the case under Acheampong’s regime.
According to him, unlike now where almost every decision is taken at the national level, the local government system, during Acheampong’s era, was so decentralized that government officials were readily held accountable when there was any financial malfeasance.
“Politics have taken over us [sic] and we are moving backwards as a country. I never condemned Komenda Sugar factory because I’m from the Central Region. If this sugar factory will run again, we need to go back to the Acheampong era and conscientize the people on how to run their affairs. If we are changing, we should change for the better,” he charged
The controversial MP was speaking on Adom TV’s Morning Show, “Badwam” Tuesday.
Acheampong, who was believed to have implemented very good policies, including ‘Operation Feed Yourself’, where Ghana produced so much food for local consumption and export, as well as massive infrastructural development across the country, was executed in 1979 by the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC), led by ex-President Rawlings.
But Mr Agyapong, believes what the Komenda Sugar Factory needs most are patriotic, visionary and disciplined youth who love Ghana and are ready to commit to its growth and prosperity.
He added, “We need visionary leaders to champion the cause of this factory to make it work. I think all these will provide jobs for the people and thereby enhance living conditions.”
According to Mr Kennedy Agyapong, if the Komenda Sugar factory and similar factories are running, unemployment which has become the greatest worry of the country would have been a thing of the past.
The sugar factory, when fully operational, could produce 97% of Ghana’s sugar requirement, while out grower sugarcane farmers, mostly in the Central and Western Regions, could also be gainfully employed.
Notwithstanding the Akufo Addo government’s assurances to resuscitate the dormant facility, the factory is yet to see any practical revival.
