The National Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Joseph Yamin, has raised concerns about the New Patriotic Party (NPP) lacking originality and instead resorting to renaming and recommissioning projects initiated by the NDC.
Yamin accused the NPP, under President Akufo-Addo’s leadership, of halting ongoing projects started by the NDC, only to resume them later and claim credit by giving them new names.
In an interview with Yen Nsempa on Onua FM, Yamin stated that the NPP has a track record of renaming and recommissioning projects initiated by others, without initiating any new projects of their own. He criticized the NPP’s decision to rename the AMERI plant to Kumasi 1 Thermal Power Plant (KITPP) and relocate it to Kumasi in an attempt to address the ongoing energy crisis (dumsor).
Yamin expressed his disapproval of the move, emphasizing that simply relocating a project does not equate to creating something new, but rather causes financial loss to the state, with an estimated cost of $35 million for the renaming and recommissioning process. The NDC has also highlighted the need for genuine infrastructural development instead of cosmetic changes that come with hefty price tags.
To support his claims, Yamin cited examples such as the Ridge Hospital, originally built and commissioned by former NDC Flagbearer John Dramani Mahama, which was recommissioned by President Akufo-Addo in 2017. He also mentioned the Kumasi International Airport project, where work was paused by the NPP only to be resumed later with the same contractors and timeline.
The AMERI Power Plant, procured in 2015 to produce 250 megawatts of power under a build-own-operate and transfer arrangement, is now being relocated to Anwomaso in the Ashanti Region. The NDC has criticized this decision, deeming it unrealistic and costly.
Yamin’s remarks shed light on the ongoing debate surrounding the NPP’s approach to infrastructure development and their reliance on renaming and recommissioning projects initiated by the NDC. As the political landscape continues to evolve, the focus remains on the need for genuine progress and sustainable development.
