Partner private sector to implement 1-village, 1-dam project – Odike tells Akufo-Addo

Founder of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Kwasi Addai Odike says the only way President Nana Akufo Addo’s One District One Dam promised could be achieved is when he decides to partner private firms both domestically and internationally.

According to the business man, the current economic challenges the country is faced with present a major setback to government’s ”One District One Dam”campaign promise.

Speaking on Abusua Nkomo hosted by Kwame Adinkra, Akwasi Addai Odike indicated that though the President’s decision to invite foreign direct investors in the country is a laudable idea, it would be prudent if private companies in the country are brought on board to foster the smooth operation of the ‘One District One Dam project before extending invitation to foreign investors.

Odike, as he is affectionately called urged President Nana Addo to cut down importation of goods and services in the country since he believes doing so would increase locally manufactured goods patronage.

”It’s good government has opened its door to foreign investors to come in and help in the growth of the economy but if you are a government and want your economy to grow, you need to help the business entities domestically to be well established in other to partners the foreign investors”

He continued’’ If you take the gold mines for instance these Chinese people walk straight in the country and start working and then take our resources away just like that which shouldn’t be so”

”The Ghanaian Business men should set up their own business so that if a Chinese man enters the country and is interested then he or she partners the person with capital and then again terms of operation will be signed but what do we see now we have allowed them to work freely in the country with any strict measures being put in place to stop them”

”Melcon alone buys almost five million dollars daily and what they do now is that they use their daily sales to purchase golds and then export them to enrich themselves.”