Akufo-Addo calls for more state supports for local manufacturers

The Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has lauded Ghanaian entrepreneurship in the creation of products that could match others from elsewhere in the world, stressing the need for the state to enhance its support to such ventures.

The Flagbearer, who toured the Kantanka Automobile Manufacturing Company’s vehicle assembly plant at Gomoa Mpota in the Central Region on Monday, commended Apostle Kwadwo Sarfo, the brain behind the plant, for his ingenuity and diverse technological products.

The range of Kantanka vehicles on display included two models of sports utility vehicles, the Kantanka Omama and the Kantanka Onantefo, and the Kantanka K71 saloon car.

Nana Akufo-Addo said such spirit and initiative must be supported by the state, not only to create more jobs but to drive the chain of technological innovation and industrialisation.

The NPP Presidential Candidate minced no words in decrying the current state of support from the government to such industrial initiatives, urging more support to industrialists to make use of more local content.

He cited the large state support from countries like Korea and India to such private initiatives, which had grown the automobile, electronic and ancillary industries providing the impetus for sustainable industrial economic growth.

The Flagbearer expressed satisfaction with the quality of the assembly’s product, saying they matched imports from Asian countries.

The enthusiastic Flagbearer test-drove one of the vehicles and promised to purchase some of the vehicles for his campaign.

He assured Ghanaian entrepreneurs and industrialists, including the Kantanka Automibile Ltd, of governmental support when he gets the nod of Ghanaians at the 2016 presidential polls.

“I am impressed with what Apostle Sarfo has produced and we will extend further support to such initiatives so that a country like Ghana would export automobiles to other countries in the West African Sub-region.”

The Ghana Road Safety Commission and the Driver and Vehicles Licencing Authority have given the company the certification to mass produce the vehicles.

Apostle Sarfo, who is also the Founder of the Christo Asafo Mission and Schools, said the manufacturing of the vehicles was a culmination of a 22 year old dream come true, “proving that the blackman is capable of doing things for himself”.

He called on fellow Africans to erase the wrong notion that Africa is incapable of producing world-class products, stressing that governments should pay more attention to technical education to sharpen talents in that sector.

Apostle Sarfo reiterated that it is only technology and its development that can lift Africa from its present unenviable state of advancement.

“I had a vision, and that vision has come true…..Once you say it can be done, it can be done. My dream is making a car in Africa, surely my dream has become a reality. My mission is accomplished,” Apostle Sarfo added.