Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto
A flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, has outlined a business strategy that is aimed at providing financial resources to the party.
It involves the setting of a chain of party-owned businesses at national, regional, and constituency levels to be managed by a holding company.
These businesses, he said, will generate revenue to run the party as well as provide gainful employment opportunities for its members to alleviate their plight.
In the view of Dr. Akoto, the strategy, which he christened ‘Linking Party To Government’, is the best sustainable means of effectively managing the party at all levels.
The former Minister of Food and Agriculture made the promise while interacting with the party delegates from the Cape Coast South Constituency during his Central Regional campaign tour last week.
He indicated that up to the late 80s, political parties owning businesses was common in several countries around the world.
He cited the Kuomintang (KMT) or Nationalist Party of Taiwan that amassed a vast business empire of banks, investment companies, petrochemical firms, and television and radio stations.
He further noted that Chancellor House Holdings is a private company committed to generating wealth through prudent and viable investment opportunities for shareholders including mining and other assets of South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) Party.
Dr. Akoto further noted that Crystal Ventures, the Rwanda Patriotic Front’s (RPF) holding company, has investments in everything from furniture to finance.
Dr. Akoto’s expressed confident that when well implemented, it will go a long way in ending the sufferings of party members.
The former two-term Member of Parliament (MP) for Kwadaso, told the delegates that workers in all the party-owned businesses at the various levels will be party members.
He therefore urged the delegates not to put any premium on candidates who have been promising to pay salary to polling station executives and those also promising to give ten appointment each to all the 275 constituencies when they become flagbearer of the party and subsequently, President.
He said, “Don’t let anyone deceive you with a promise of paying you salary when elected. It is a fallacy. What I have outlined is sustainable and the best way to resource you financially.
My vision is the best. It is globally accepted and is done in South Africa, Taiwan, Rwanda, and Israel among others.”
Dr. Akoto said none of his competitors possess the means to address their plight better than him, stressing, “I have served the NPP well in all capacities and I feel your burden more than any other flagbearer hopeful. A vote for me will bring all these sufferings to an end because I understand what you are going through at the polling stations”.
Dr Akoto’s tour which began at Gomoa West constituency, took him to Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam constituency.
A Daily Guide Report