During his campaign for the 2020 elections, President Nana Akufo Addo claimed on Eagle FM in Cape Coast that he never pledged to construct a harbour in the Central Regional capital.
On the other hand, the facts show that the President’s claims are untrue.
He talked with Babara Obeng Dwamena Mensah on the ‘Kokroko’ Morning Show on Monday morning, at the start of a two-day journey throughout the region.
When asked about the status of a promise to create an airport and a harbour in Cape Coast, the President said, “The vow was never to (construct) a harbour.” I was directed to a landing page. It’s absolutely necessary. And you’re on page 88 of the NPP’s election manifesto for 2020. It’s very clear”.
He then went on to enumerate government-initiated landing site projects in the Central area, claiming that the party committed to creating comparable landing sites in Cape Coast rather than a harbour.
“As far as the harbour (is concerned), we have to be clear in our mind, we never committed ourselves… I never said I was going to build a harbour in Cape Coast. I said I was going to build a landing site, and that would start next year,” he said.
The President’s claims are not supported by the facts. On page 160 of the New Patriotic Party’s 2020 platform, it is stated that if the party wins the 2020 elections, it would construct a harbor on Cape Coast.
“Over the following four years, we will begin building of…a new harbour in Cape Coast and a new airport in Cape Coast,” the NPP claimed in the paper, referring to commitments made in respect to Roads, Railways, Ports, and Harbours.
The manifesto was released at the University of Cape Coast on Saturday, August 22, 2020, with remarks from the President.
More pledges about railway lines may be found in the manifesto.
“We would ensure that the Western Line and the Tema to Mpakadan train lines are completed.” Begin work on the Eastern Rail Line, the Aduadin to Obuasi Lines, the Ghana-Burkina Faso Line, and a new line connecting Sekondi and the Shama Free Zone region,” it says.
The need for a seaport and airport in the Central Region has been a hot topic in recent years, particularly given the region’s tourism potential.
“People of Cape Coast, I have good news for you,” Vice President Dr Mahmoudu Bawumia, who delivered highlights of the NPP’s 2020 platform, said of the pledge. In Cape Coast, we are constructing a new seaport as well as a new airport.
“It’s imperative that we do so.” In Cape Coast, an airport makes a lot of sense. It’s a big tourism destination, and the triangle formed by Greater Accra, Kumasi, and Cape Coast is truly a hub for a lot of economic activity…and it’s a huge growth point.”
