The Director of Legal Affairs for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Eastern Region, Lawyer Isaac Minta Larbi has criticized the ruling New Patriotic Party’s decision to import assembled trains from Poland instead of pursuing local manufacturing.
In a scathing critique of the ruling New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) industrialization efforts, Lawyer Isaac Minta Larbi underscored what he sees as a fundamental failure of the ruling party’s flagship One District One Factory (1D1F) initiative.
Mr Larbi’s impassioned statement further highlighted what he perceives as a lack of foresight and commitment to genuine development initiatives by the governing New Patriotic Party under the leadership of President Akufo-Addo.
He posited that if the current administration’s much-touted industrialisation agenda had been genuine and effective, Ghana would have established its assembly plant for modern trains, creating employment opportunities and bolstering foreign reserves through exports to African countries, particularly under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
“We need serious people who are competent to manage the affairs of Ghana. Enough of the myopic people who are getting us nowhere for all these years. ‘Ghanaians are suffering’ in Bawumia’s own words before he became Vice President.
“I am embarrassed by the trains from Poland and if we are serious people we would come out with a plan and a decision to bypass Poland in a maximum of 15 years. Then I know we are now ready to develop in Ghana but certainly not under this NPP. It’s a disaster”.
Lawyer Isaac Minta Larbi, Director of Legal Affairs, NDC Eastern Region
Mr Larbi also lamented over what he described as the squandering of resources on bloated government bureaucracies and accused the New Patriotic Party administration of using its time in power to enrich “cronies” rather than fostering meaningful economic growth.
Furthermore, the Director of Legal Affairs of the opposition party in the Eastern Region juxtaposed Ghana’s current economic predicament and its potential under the visionary leadership of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the first President of the country.
He contended that Ghana, under Dr Kwame Nkrumah’s stewardship and that of former President John Dramani Mahama’s administration was poised for greatness, yet the New Patriotic Party administration has failed to live up to such legacy.
Ghana Vs. Poland Development Trajectories
Comparing Ghana and Poland’s development trajectories, Mr Larbi touted the latter’s remarkable economic ascent since the 1960s, contrasting it with Ghana’s stagnation, and called for a reevaluation of the country’s development trajectory.
He further juxtaposed Poland’s current impressive GDP growth and high quality of life with Ghana’s struggles, attributing the disparity to what he described as mismanagement and a lack of foresight on the part of the current administration.
Central to Mr Larbi’s critique is the notion that Ghana should be exporting trains, and rather not importing them.
He argued that the governing New Patriotic Party’s failure to actualize its promises of domestic manufacturing represents a missed opportunity to capitalize on Ghana’s untapped potential.
By outsourcing production to Poland, Mr Larbi strongly asserted that Ghana forfeits not only economic self-sufficiency but also the opportunity to showcase its capabilities on the global stage.
Moreover, the National Democratic Congress Director of Legal Affairs in the Eastern Region expressed shock and disappointment at the perceived pervasive culture of corruption and mismanagement that he believes hampers Ghana’s progress.
He accused the governing New Patriotic Party administration led by President Akufo-Addo of prioritizing short-term gains over long-term sustainable development, citing the government’s inability to fulfill its pledge to make Accra the cleanest city in Africa as a typical example of the ruling party’s shortcomings.
Mr Larbi concluded his remarks by stressing on the urgent need for a paradigm shift in Ghanaian politics, away from rhetoric and towards tangible action.
He called on Ghanaians to demand accountability from political leaders particularly the ruling New Patriotic Party and reject its empty promises ahead of the December 7 polls.
He also urged Ghanaians to rally behind the substantive policies that prioritize the country’s collective welfare of the flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress and vote for the party in the upcoming elections for the party to change the country’s economic fortunes.
