Deputy Trade Minister Vetted Despite Minority Snub

Deputy Minister designate for Trade and Industry and Member of Parliament for ACHIASE Constituency, Kofi Ahenkorah Marfo was vetted yesterday by New Patriotic Party (NPP) members on the Appointments Committee of Parliament despite the seeming disagreement of the minority side to join.

The Minority Caucus on the Committee led by Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson in a statement earlier explained that his side “will not participate in today’s vetting of the President’s nominee for the post of Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry. The Caucus is affronted by the already large size of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government and its poor economic performance.”

The statement added, “We are again unable to support this nomination by President Akufo-Addo at this time because our country has gone through (and continues to go through) very difficult periods, including crippling economic crisis, food insecurity, debt default as a result of excessive borrowing, corruption in government and wasteful and reckless expenditures”

The unexpected turn of events however didn’t stop the vetting as the nominee during the process reiterated that the One District, One Factory (1D1F) concept of the Government is key to Ghana’s industrialization agenda.

Mr. Marfo, in his response, noted that the 1D1F was the best concept for the country if Ghanaians wanted to move their industrialization to the level that they could do more of export than import.

“What I will say is that for now, communication and information flow is key when we want to deal with the 1D1F concept. People don’t really understand the concept. So, when you ask me now, because what we’ve done is so much, over 169 companies are on board” he said.

“So, what I will say is that the information flow is very important and very critical; and as a Ministry we should do more in terms of giving out information for people to appreciate what 1D1F is really about.”

Mr. Marfo assured the Committee that he would assist his sector minister to execute the President’s vision for the nation.

The Majority Chief Whip Frank Annor Dompreh further asked the nominee how he understands tax exemption and it importance.

Answering the question, the nominee explained that, the unemployment rate among the youth is huge therefore there is the need for tax waivers on imported machinery, raw materials and other aspects of production to make the country attractive to investors.

He elaborated that since Ghana wants to pursue the 10-point Agenda industrialization, it is important to grant tax exemption to industries companies within the confines who are into serious industrialization.

The nominee further stressed the importance of the Ghana Enterprise Agency and how helpful they have been to Small Scale Medium Enterprises (SME).

According to him, he will assist the substantive minister to focus on the rural areas to also enjoy the benefit from the Ghana Enterprise Agency.