In Part I of this article, GAKE laid bare the need for a transformational and exceptional leadership to solve the myriad of problems confronting this beloved country of ours. We gave specific examples with regard to Alan Kyerematen's managerial competences, and gave reasons as to why both the NPP and Ghana need him at this material moment. This write-up continues with Alan's exemplary leadership qualities, especially what he did for the country when he was appointed the Minister of Trade, Industry, and President's Special Initiatives (PSI) in 2003.
• Innovation, according to Steve Jobs, is what distinguishes a leader from a follower. Innovation has been Alan Kyerematen's hallmark. If you found out that value has been added our staple food, cassava, to generate further income, then thank Alan Kyerematen. As an innovator, Alan built $8.5 million state-of-the-art factory at Ayensu to produce high grade industrial starch from cassava for export to key markets in Europe, Africa and Asia. The starch initiative created over 10,000 jobs for Ghanaians. It must also be noted that, the Ayensu Starch factory has been bought by the Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited (GGBL) this year to produce beer for consumption.
• Alan constructed a multi-million dollar enclave within the Tema Free Zone for the manufacturing of garments for export. That enclave is also being extended and converted to accommodate similar facilities for Furniture Manufacturing and an ICT Park.
• Alan revived the Oil Palm industry in Ghana, achieving a phenomenal growth in seedlings' supply from 250,000 seedlings per annum in 2001 to 4 million as at the end of 2004. Over 102,000 hectares of Oil palm plantation have been cultivated. This created over 10,000 jobs for Ghanaians.
• Alan expanded the Salt mining operations in Ghana to provide a stable raw material base for the development of a caustic soda industry to feed other manufacturing industries.
• Alan implemented the District Industrialization Programme, a comprehensive programme for rural industrialization involving the setting up of at least one medium-sized factory in each administrative district in Ghana. Thus, districts that grow oranges would have Orange Factory, those with coconut, tomatoes, shea-nuts would have similar factories.
• Alan initiated, directed and managed the preparations for the hosting of UNCTAD XII in Ghana, and introduced for the first time in the history of UNCTAD Conferences, the World Investment Forum which has now become a major calendar event for UNCTAD.
• Alan coordinated and supervised the hosting by Ghana of the Sixth United States-Africa Summit in 2006, and played a key role in negotiating changes in the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The AGOA has enabled Ghanaian exporters to enter the US market.
• Alan has been promoting Made-in-Ghana products through campaigns such as the highly successful “National Friday Wear” programme, giving jobs to many dressmakers and tailors.
• Alan's PSI on Distance Education has enabled many Ghanaian workers to acquire higher degrees. This has improved productivity and living standards.
• Alan led the process of preparing a $200-million implementation blueprint, called the Trade Sector Support Programme (TSSP), which was launched in Ghana in October 2005.The major component activities being implemented include the establishment of Export Trade Houses, the establishment of a “Furniture City” at Tema - an enclave for manufacturers of wood export products, the establishment of product galleries to promote Made-in-Ghana goods and the establishment of a Technology Innovation Center for Capital Goods Manufacturing.
• Alan negotiated a $45 million loan facility with the World Bank to promote SME development in Ghana.
• Alan was the Chairman of the ECOWAS Council of Trade Ministers at the critical stages of launching the EU-ECOWAS EPA negotiations.
• Alan was the only Trade Minister from Africa to have been selected as a panelist on Trade during the 2006 World Economic Forum in Davos.
• Alan played a key role in shaping Africa’s Trade Policy agenda in the WTO Multilateral Negotiations and the EU-ACP Economic Partnership Agreement Negotiations. He was one of the lead negotiators for Africa in the WTO Ministerial Conference in Cancun in 2003, and also participated in the high-level “Green Room” consultations during the Hong Kong WTO Conference in December 2005.
Fellow delegates, Alan wants to provide result-oriented leadership for Ghanaians. He intends to harness the talent and capability of everyone to create equal opportunities for every citizen. He has an integrated development plan that will utilize our natural resources to solve our problems. Who thought of converting cassava into a commercial product in Ghana? And who thought of convincing Ghanaians to wear the same attire on every Friday known as "Friday Wear"? Alan's vision is to create jobs for the people, and modernize this beloved country of ours. GAKE therefore believes that, Alan deserves to lead both the NPP and Ghana to economic independence. Kindly, join the Get Alan Kyerematen Elected (GAKE) as we set to have our National Conference and Fundraising on Sunday, 3rd August, 2014 at Rexmar Hotel in Kumasi. GAKE; one more change for power!
Think Alan! Think Power!!
...Signed...
Katakyie Kwame Opoku Agyemang
(National Coordinator - 0202471070/0547851100 - katakyienpp@yahoo.co.uk)
Gabriel Osei Kufuor - Organiser
Aboagye Danso - PRO
Kamir Muhammed - Operations
Anita Opoku - Women's Organiser
Iddrisu Mubashir - Nasara Coordinator
Agyemang Duah - Secretary
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