A former Trade Minister under the Mahama administration, Dr. Ekow Spio-Garbrah, has urged the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to change the perception held by many that it is anti-business.

According to him, doing so will enhance the image of the Party as it looks forward to victory in the 2024 elections.

Dr. Spio-Garbrah said this as he endorsed a new micro-business initiative dubbed ‘NDC Ahotɔ’ by former Finance Minister Dr. Kwabena Duffuor.

“As the chairman of the NDC Business Development Committee, the Committee’s objective is very similar to what Dr. Duffuor is doing, which is what we can do in the NDC to change the image of the NDC from what some people think is not a business friendly party, to one that is more business friendly.

“I don’t know whether you are aware that is one of the biggest problems facing NDC as a party. People think we are anti-business, because during the PNDC time, certain things happened to some business people. So, it is still prevailing till today,” he admitted.

While acknowledging that the age-long perception is adversely affecting the NDC with a fall-off of membership in universities, the former Education Minister called for more support for the project to make the Party vibrant even at the grassroots level.

“So, if somebody rises in the NDC such as Dr. Duffuor who says I’ve got a good and brilliant idea; why don’t I make some of my resources available to the Party, to foot soldiers at a time of difficulty in the Ghanaian economy, when the government of the day doesn’t know what to do and all they’re doing is E-Levy, then you have to support the person, because he’s doing the right thing.”

About the NDC 'Ahotɔ' Project

This Project is meant to lessen the burden on MPs and relieve local executives of the huge financial difficulties they face in running the party.

It is believed that the NDC 'Ahotɔ' Project will create a medium for the local party machinery to be financially self-sufficient through regular income streams to help support their ongoing initiatives.

It is also to empower and reposition the NDC and make it battle-ready for election 2024 and beyond.

According to the project manager, the NDC 'Ahotɔ' Project will be used to support micro-businesses focusing on social events such as funerals, naming ceremonies, marriage ceremonies, durbars, political campaigns, and rallies, mostly outdoor activities. 

The nature of these activities places a high demand on the use of plastic chairs, canopies, public address systems, power generators, podiums, mobile toilets etc.

A local rental business of the accessories owned and run by the party at various constituency levels will create employment opportunities and generate income, bringing relief (Ahotɔ) to the grassroots.

Dr Kwabena Duffuor is, therefore, sponsoring and financing all the 275 constituencies with all the equipment and accessories necessary to set up a rental business.