By: Savannah Pokuaah Duah
Chief Executive Officer of the Consumer Protection Agency, Kofi Owusu Hene, popularly known as Kofi Kapito, has emphasized the importance of national unity and collaboration among Ghanaians, regardless of political affiliations. In a recent interview on the ‘Focus’ Show on GBC, Mr Owusu Hene stated that wishing for the downfall of any government is counterproductive to the progress of the nation.
“Let me tell you what, I am not the kind that will wish any government, when they are in power, that they should fail so that my party will come. Because what if you don’t even survive for the next four years? Then what’s the essence of that? It is our duty as Ghanaians to pray and push any government who is in power, whether four or eight years, to do well so that all Ghanaians will benefit,”he said.
He praised the Minister for Roads and Highways for implementing measures to control costs. “When it comes to cement prices, the minister made it clear: if your proposal comes with a cement price exceeding 95 Ghana cedis, we won’t give you a contract. He has made alternative arrangements,” he stated.
He stressed that all Ghanaians share a common goal of improving the country, saying, “We are all Ghanaians. Nobody is more Ghanaian than anybody, as long as your ancestral roots are in Ghana. So we all want Ghana to be better.”
Mr Owusu Hene also reflected on the historical challenges faced by local businesses in Ghana, citing past failures of competitors such as Star Times. “In our jurisdiction, we had competition, but regulators and individuals made sure that they couldn’t survive. They didn’t survive!” he lamented. He called for government support for local businesses, stating, “Until we say, okay, Mr. Gabon, you know how to do this. Even government will support you.”
He further highlighted the importance of historical context in Ghana’s industrial development, referencing past leaders like Acheampong who initiated support for local manufacturing. “If we had allowed Acheampong probably to stay, we would have had a manufacturing car company in Ghana,” he argued.
Mr Owusu Hene urged Ghanaians to prioritize national interest over partisan politics.
“This thing that I am anti-NDC, I’m anti-NPP, I’m anti-Afafanto, it doesn’t make any sense. At the end of the day, when we are going to vote, I will vote the person that I want to vote for. But when we finish, it’s about how Ghana is going to be better.”
His statements resonate with a growing call among citizens for unity and cooperation across political lines to foster national development and prosperity.
