I would collaborate with private sector- Prof Ocquaye

Sunyani, Oct. 24, GN - An NPP Presidential aspirant, Professor Mike Ocquaye, on Wednesday, said his government would collaborate with individuals to set up an industrial base to train Junior High School (JHS) dropouts. He said his government would particularly collaborate with Apostle Kwadwo Safo, an inventor and leader and founder of Christo Asafo Church to train such dropouts in practical science and technology. In an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Sunyani shortly before he launched his campaign in Brong Ahafo, Professor Ocquaye stressed that such "special industrial apprentice incubators" would be established across the country and at special centres such as Suame and Sunyani Magazines and in Aflao to help bring out the best in the youth. He said food, clothing, shelter, international relations and ICT would be the primary focus of his administration and attributed Ghana's slow pace of development to lack of these. Professor Ocquaye said he would introduce "party in partnership with government policy", an idea mooted in 2001 when he was the presidential adviser to President Kufour, to forge unity between the party and the government.

The aspirant explained that under this policy, foot soldiers would constitute members of a committee that would play significant roles in decision-making and other issues related to governance. On the problem of inadequate supply of water, he said his government would act as a facilitator for the construction of water reservoirs and given on concession to district assemblies to make it affordable.

"In this case rain water, much of which is wasted would be stored in these reservoirs to be used by households and farmers during the lean season," he said.

Professor Ocquaye said he was not happy that with all the natural resources in the country, it has not been tapped for the benefit of the people.

"There's the need to use what God has given to us. This will save Ghana from expending large amounts in foreign exchange to import goods and help to build the economy to an appreciable level", he said. The aspirant noted that Brong-Ahafo was endowed with raw materials like quality clay for the production of bricks, cotton, and other raw materials, but these resources were not fully tapped for the socio-economic development of the people. "Lots of bricks are produced in this region and upon assumption of office, I will ensure that any state institution structure will be constructed with bricks because it's cheaper", he added. Professor Ocquaye noted with regret that Ghana's savanna cover was larger than Togo, but the latter could produce cotton three times the total of Ghana's output.

"Why should we import cotton-wool from anywhere? In my administration, I would ensure that we produce much for our textile industries and the hospitals and export the surplus". "When we import, we create jobs for other people instead of for our people. Jute bags for bagging cocoa must all be produced here since we have the raw material in abundance", the Professor added. He stated that his government would seek to build on and consolidate the macroeconomic gains chalked by President Kufour's administration.