Dr. Samuel Sarpong Ankrah, Founder and Leader of the Alternative Force for Action (AFA), has announced plans to launch his party’s manifesto on September 21, 2024.
The launch is set ahead of the upcoming December 7 presidential election, in which Dr. Ankrah is running as an independent candidate.
“We will launch our manifesto on the 21st of September. “
“Real tangible project policy programs that are going to be announced on the day. Our Vice President will also be announced in due cause.”
” We are ready to take over government, and we are pleading with Ghanaians to sit back for a minute, start thinking about issues and make the right decision this time around.”
In a recent interview with ABC News Ghana, Dr. Ankrah shared his thoughts on the state of the nation’s politics, criticizing current approaches as harmful.
“Our style of politics has messed us up,” he remarked, setting the tone for his campaign’s platform.
Dr. Ankrah cited the mismanagement of Ghana’s cocoa industry as a key example of the nation’s political failings.
According to him, while the industry is valued at GHS300 billion, the two leading cocoa-producing countries, including Ghana, receive only GHS6 billion.
He expressed concern over COCOBOD’s recurring loans to pay farmers, coupled with a significant decline in cocoa production.
“We used to produce 900,000 to 1 million metric tonnes a year, and now it has gotten down to about 500,000,” he lamented, adding that no one seems to be asking critical questions about this drop.
Further, Dr. Ankrah emphasized the need for more competent leadership, arguing that Ghana’s current political class is unable to make decisions that will move the nation forward.
He criticized the two major political parties, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), for prioritizing their own interests over those of the people.
“Our leaders can’t take decisions that will move us into the 21st century,” he said, accusing the parties of leading the country toward a neo-colonial state.
The oil sector was another area of concern for Dr. Ankrah, who pointed out that decisions being made in this critical industry are worrying to experts.
He accused both the NDC and NPP of being complicit in making decisions that benefit only a few, rather than advancing national interests.
“Decisions are being taken by parties which you sit back as an expert and it’s worrying,” he remarked, stressing the importance of more inclusive policies.
As Dr. Ankrah prepares for the upcoming election, his focus on direct engagement with the public has been central to his campaign strategy.
He recalled his interactions with Shea Butter women in DaMango, underscoring the value of understanding the realities on the ground.
