Dr. Samuel Sarpong Ankrah, leader of the Alternative Force for Action (AFA), has made a bold appeal to Ghanaians and like-minded independent movements to join forces in challenging the dominance of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP).
He emphasized that the AFA Movement is open to collaborations with other independent groups to take political power from the entrenched parties that have failed to deliver prosperity to the nation.
In an exclusive interview with host of ABC News GH’s flagship program, Focus on ABC, Joshua Nana Kwame Ayira, Dr. Ankrah asserted that this battle cannot be fought alone and requires a united effort.
“This cannot be a one-man show. It will need a collaborative effort of like-minded people coming together to form this movement to move ahead and win political power,” he stated.
He stressed the importance of finding a credible alternative to transform the country’s destiny.
“But we will have to look for credible alternative, to change the destiny of this country and bring prosperity to our people, he added”
Dr. Ankrah also revealed some of his manifesto promises, pledging a major reform if elected president in the December 7th poll.
He has vowed to decouple the Ministry of Justice from the Attorney General’s office within his first 90 days in office.
This move, he believes, will remove political interference from the judiciary and ensure autonomous justice institutions.
“We will decouple the Ministry of Justice from the Attorney General, and the IGP will be independently appointed,” Dr. Ankrah declared.
As part of his campaign, Dr. Ankrah announced that AFA’s manifesto would be launched on September 21, 2024, ahead of the December presidential election.
He urged Ghanaians to reconsider their political choices and emphasized the need for competent leadership.
“We are ready to take over the 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,” he added.
He has also delivered a scathing critique of Ghana’s political landscape, blaming the country’s poor state of industrialization and economic management on entrenched political practices, condemning the current political approach as disastrous, stating, “Our style of politics has messed us up.”
Criticizing the NDC and NPP for mismanagement, particularly in the cocoa and oil sectors, Dr. Ankrah accused both parties of failing to serve the nation’s interests.
He highlighted the decline in cocoa production and accused the major political parties of prioritizing the interests of a select few over national development.
He lamented the continuous borrowing by COCOBOD to pay farmers and highlighted the decline in cocoa production from 900,000-1,000,000 metric tons to about 500,000.
“COCOBOD constantly go to the capital market and borrow money to come and pay farmers over the years, and we think that’s okay, we are comfortable with it? Production of cocoa has even gone down.”
“We used to produce 900,000 to 1 million metric tons a year and now it has gotten down to about 500,000. And nobody is asking questions. Clearly, we’ve lost it as a nation, our style of politics has messed us up.”
“Our leaders can’t take decisions that will move us into the 21st Century.”
Dr. Ankrah pointed out that the major parties are failing to make crucial decisions that could advance Ghana, particularly in the oil sector.
“Decisions are being taken by parties which you sit back as an expert and it’s worrying,” he remarked.
Tension Rises
In preparation for the upcoming general election on December 7, 2024, the Electoral Commission of Ghana has reported that 39 candidates have obtained nomination forms, each costing GHC100,000, for the Presidential race.
So far, only a few of these aspirants have launched their manifestos and unveiled their running mates.
Notably, the two major political parties, the NPP and the NDC, along with three independent candidates—including Dr. Samuel Sarpong Ankrah, the flagbearer of the Alternative Force for Action (AFA); Dr. Hassan Ayariga, Founder and Flagbearer of the All Peoples Congress (APC); and Nana Kwame Bediako, leader of the New Force Movement—are actively campaigning for the presidency in Ghana.
Tension is rising due to economic difficulties and the issue of illegal mining, known as galamsey, which is destroying lands and major water bodies. The dire state of water bodies in Ghana is a longstanding problem.
In 2017, the Water Resources Commission reported that over 60% of the nation’s water bodies had been contaminated, particularly in the southwestern regions where illegal mining activities are rampant.
The Ghana Water Company Limited has also warned that this contamination has led to significant water shortages in several areas, worsening the crisis.
As the situation deteriorates, there are growing concerns that Ghana may be forced to import water by 2030 if decisive action is not taken. The continued destruction of water bodies is seen by many as a failed effort by the current government, jeopardizing the nation’s future water security.
By Ruth Sekyi
