The Asante Professionals Club (APC) in the UK & USA has expressed its full support for Dr. Frank Amoakohene, following his recent appointment as the Ashanti Regional Minister by President John Dramani Mahama.
In a statement, the club praised the president’s decision to appoint a leader with the expertise and vision needed to drive the region’s development.
APC UK President, Stephen Onyinah Karikari, lauded Dr. Amoakohene’s leadership qualities and assured him of the unwavering backing of professionals from the UK, the rest of Europe, and the United States.
According to Mr Karikari, the club is ready to mobilize the diaspora community to collaborate with the new minister in promoting sustainable regional and national development.
Unlocking Kumasi’s Economic Potential
“Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti Region, is on the verge of becoming a major economic hub in Africa,” Onyinah Karikari said, citing projections by The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) which predict Kumasi’s economy will be the 16th largest on the continent by 2035.
He said the city’s rapid growth, driven by a projected population increase to 5.3 million and a forecasted annual GDP growth rate of 6-8%, places it at the forefront of economic transformation in the region.
APC UK and USA believes Dr. Amoakohene’s leadership can further enhance the region’s strategic position as a hub for agribusiness, manufacturing and trade logistics.
Building Strategic Partnerships for Development
Onyinah Karikari also emphasized the club’s commitment to enhancing Kumasi’s economic potential through strategic partnerships.
This includes the Great Asante Sister-City Partnership, a flagship initiative designed to foster collaboration between towns in the Ashanti Region and counterparts in Europe and the United States.
Through knowledge exchange, investment attraction, and infrastructural development, APC UK & USA believes these partnerships will be instrumental in driving Kumasi’s growth.
Onyinah Karikari, who also serves as Vice President for Europe, Middle East, and Africa at a leading global bank, stressed the importance of collaboration across various sectors, including finance, trade, agribusiness, healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
A particular focus, he noted, is on restoring Kumasi’s status as the “Garden City of West Africa” by promoting sustainable urban planning and green infrastructure.
Education as a Catalyst for Growth
In an interview, the president of APC USA, Lady Barbara Acheampong stated that Education is another key pillar in the region’s development strategy and with institutions such as Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and Kumasi Technical University, APC UK and USA is committed to strengthening partnerships with these educational establishments to support the development of human capital.
Strengthening the Cocoa Sector
Another area where the club sees great potential is the cocoa industry, where the Ashanti Region plays a crucial role.
APC UK and USA says revitalization of strategic initiatives like the Asante Cocoa Project, which successfully introduced high-yielding cocoa varieties in the 1970s will make a huge impact on the country’s production levels.
The APC UK expressed confidence that with the right investments, the sector could unlock billions of dollars in annual revenue, boosting Ghana’s competitiveness in the global cocoa market.
A Vote of Confidence in the New Minister
Meanwhile, President of the Ghana Dentist Association UK, Dr. Dominic Oduro-Donkor, who serves as Vice President of APC UK has also expressed his support for Dr. Amoakohene, highlighting his leadership, integrity, and dedication to service.
He added that Dr. Amoakohene’s leadership would be vital in uniting the region and promoting inclusive development for all communities.
In a statement, Dr. Donkor called for unity and collective action, urging Dr. Amoakohene to continue to uphold the values of democracy, justice, and equality while ensuring that development initiatives benefit all Ghanaians, regardless of political affiliation.
“Ghana’s future is bright, but it requires all of us to work together for the common good,” the statement concluded, reinforcing the club’s commitment to supporting national development efforts under President Mahama’s leadership.
The Asante Professionals Club UK and USA concluded its statement that the club remains resolute in its mission to contribute to the progress of the Ashanti Region and Ghana as a whole, with a shared vision of prosperity for all.
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