Ankomah to join presidential race

Kumasi, March 4, GNA- Mr Owusu Ankomah, 59, a Kumasi-based politician and industrialist, has formally announced his decision to contest the forthcoming presidential election as an independent candidate.

He said he has already made adequate groundwork and that he would soon kick-start his nationwide campaign to convince the electorate on why they should vote for him.

Addressing a press conference in Kumasi on Thursday, Mr Ankomah pointed out that his decision to seek the mandate of Ghanaians to lead the nation was influenced by a genuine desire to turn the economic fortunes of the country around, end the economic suffering and restore to the people dignity and a sense of national pride.

He said Ghana has been blessed with enormous resources and did not deserve to be in what he termed, "the miserable and uncomfortable situation we find ourselves".

The Independent Presidential aspirant said if given the mandate, he would provide a strong leadership, take not just bold decisions but rely on local solutions to the country's problems and show less inclination towards dependence on donor support.

His main priority areas, he said, would be on education, modernisation of the agricultural system, health care and rapid industrialisation to provide employment and bring in more foreign returns.

Mr Ankomah extended an invitation to colleague politicians to ensure that they centre their electioneering campaigns on issues and avoid the use of vulgar and indecent language.

"The falsehood, lies, rhetoric and empty promises that had over the years been associated with political campaigns in the country should now be consigned to history".

"Let not anybody make the mistake of refusing to accept that the Ghanaian electorate has now become wiser and can no longer be taken for a ride".

He noted that political parties in the country make "too much noise" and asked the people to ignore them since they have proven that they were incapable of solving the nation's problems".

He said he sometimes wonder why some politicians go to incredible lengths to deceive the people just for the sake of winning political power and said that was unhealthy.

Mr Ankomah in 2000 expressed his intention to join the presidential race as an independent candidate but withdrew later.