Kwame Owusu Danso, the running mate of Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, has claimed that Kyerematen’s exit from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) serves the nation’s best interests.
This claim comes amid significant implications for the country’s economic development strategies, particularly concerning Kyerematen’s flagship initiative, One District, One Factory (1D1F).
Danso’s comments suggest discontent with the government’s approach, raising questions about its commitment to genuine development initiatives.
During an interview with Fiifi Praat on Kingdom FM, Danso emphasized that the 1D1F initiative, which aims to establish at least one factory in each district, was the brainchild of Kyerematen and was designed to combat the pressing issue of unemployment in Ghana.
“Alan’s vision was sidelined because he dared to compete for the party’s flagbearership,” he noted, highlighting that political rivalries within the NPP have undermined progress on critical development projects.
The conversation then shifted to the funding disparities between Kyerematen’s initiative and the National Builders Corps (NABCO), a program launched in 2018 to provide temporary jobs for young graduates.
Mr. Danso revealed that Kyerematen was allocated a mere GHC 400 million for the 1D1F initiative—an amount he deemed grossly inadequate for such an ambitious project. “With proper funding and support, Alan could have transformed the economic landscape,” he asserted.
In stark contrast, the NABCO program received an astonishing GHC 4 billion in funding. Initially marketed as a vehicle to engage youth in national development, the program aimed to provide skills training and job opportunities across various sectors.
However, Danso did not hold back in labeling NABCO a “sham,” criticizing its effectiveness.
“While it promised to uplift young Ghanaians, it has failed to deliver on its objectives. The money was there, but the impact has been negligible,” he expressed, raising concerns about the government’s prioritization of funding for NABCO over the more sustainable economic development promised by the 1D1F initiative.
