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Vote for me, If you want development, jobs, and economic growth — Kennedy Agyapong tells delegate
Businessman and presidential hopeful, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, has called on delegates of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to vote for him if they want real development, job creation, and economic growth in the five northern regions.
Speaking during his two-day campaign tour of the Upper East Region, Mr Agyapong stated that the northern parts of Ghana have vast lands that could be utilised for large-scale agriculture and agro-processing to feed the entire African continent.
He stated that Ghana could earn more from agriculture than from cocoa and gold if the right leadership and vision were applied.
According to him, what Ghana needs most is a visionary leader who can utilise available opportunities to benefit its citizens, and he believes he is that kind of leader.
Mr. Agyapong dismissed claims that he had insulted people in the party, describing such accusations as false.
He explained that he had always supported former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and even donated 100,000 sewing machines, hair dryers, and streetlights to support Bawumia’s campaign team.
However, he said no one from the team called to thank him for his contribution.
He noted that such unverified accusations discouraged party members who spent their own money and time to support the NPP during elections.
Turning his attention to development, Mr. Agyapong said Ghana could create wealth by processing its own crops instead of exporting raw materials.
He revealed that he had already acquired 30,000 acres of land in the Volta Region to grow maize for ethanol production.
He added that Ghana should “eat what it grows, process what it grows, and export what it processes.”
The Assin Central MP emphasized the need to support local farmers with fertilizers, chemicals, and irrigation systems to increase production.
He said industries could be established to process crops such as maize, yam, millet, and potatoes into various products for both local consumption and export.
Mr. Agyapong said he would promote peace in conflict areas like Bawku to ensure development and unity.
He promised to industrialise all 15 districts in the Upper East Region to create employment for the youth.
He pointed out that he currently employs over 7,000 workers across his businesses and has purchased an Indian company that employs 365 people, most of whom are northerners.
Mr. Agyapong urged delegates not to be influenced by tribal politics but to choose a leader who can create jobs and bring economic growth.
He concluded that Ghana had tried lawyers and economists in leadership for many years, and it was now time to give an entrepreneur the chance to lead the country toward practical development.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Mrs Patience Antonio, a Child and Family Development Advocate, has called for a national campaign to reduce the growing reliance on breast milk substitutes among nursing mothers in Ghana.
According to Mrs Antonio, scientific evidence shows that breastfeeding improves a child’s emotional stability, boosts intelligence, strengthens the immune system, and provides long-term health benefits. She made these remarks in an interview with The Spectator in Accra last week, emphasizing the importance of breastfeeding for a child’s overall development.
She explained that breastfeeding is not just a biological act of feeding but a key emotional and developmental bridge between mother and child. She also highlighted the need for the recommended six-month maternity leave period to ease the pressure on mothers to return to work prematurely.
“Breastfeeding creates intimacy and trust. It assures the baby of love and security, which becomes the foundation for their emotional health,” Mrs Antonio noted, warning that abandoning exclusive breastfeeding could have long-term implications on children’s social and emotional wellbeing.
Consequently, she called for a minimum of five months of fully paid maternity leave for Ghanaian mothers to enable effective breastfeeding, bonding, and healthier child development. She also urged workplaces to implement family-friendly policies, including private spaces for breastfeeding, flexible working arrangements for nursing mothers, and stronger support systems for new parents.
Mrs Antonio further encouraged families and society to actively support mothers during breastfeeding, stressing that many women struggle due to lack of assistance at home or the pressure to return to work too soon. She emphasized, “If we want a healthier, emotionally stable generation, then we must make breastfeeding a priority and support mothers to do it without stress.”
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
Spectator
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The Nanvili Community School in the Mion District of the Northern Region is facing severe infrastructural challenges, affecting teaching and learning for pupils in the area.
The school, which serves five surrounding communities with a total of 58 pupils, has deteriorated to the extent that many children have stopped attending classes. Poor classroom conditions and the lack of desks have made teaching and learning difficult. During a visit to the school, the gate-free classrooms were found filled with goat and sheep droppings.
During the rainy season, both teachers and pupils are often cut off from the school due to bad roads and flooding. Teaching activities are frequently suspended for weeks, negatively affecting academic performance.
The Assemblyman for the area, Mr. Dawuni Mutawakil, expressed concern, noting that the situation is worrying since these pupils are expected to compete with their counterparts in urban areas who have access to better facilities. He added that due to limited space, classes have been merged, with pupils from Primary One and Two, Three and Four, and Five and Six sharing the same classrooms.
The Chief of Nanvili, Abu Kassim, also appealed to the government and non-governmental organisations to come to the aid of the community. He emphasized that the current state of the school discourages children from nearby communities from attending.
Both the Chief and Assemblyman have called for urgent intervention to improve infrastructure and provide furniture for the pupils to ensure quality education for children in the Nanvili area.
By Geoffrey Buta, Nanvili, Northern Region
Spectator
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