Kwesi Ahwoi surest bet as running mate to John Mahama

2020 is an election year and ahead of the December Presidential election, the flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama is expected to select a running mate to partner him to wrestle political power from the Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo led New Patritic Party (NPP) administration.

Though many names have popped up for consideration, Kwesi Ahwoi a former Minister of Interior, Food and Agriculture and Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa is the surest bet to partner John Dramani Mahama.

The elders of the party, highly believes that with the level of international exposure, his colossal understanding of local political system in Ghana, rich experience in economic management and agricultural development, he will be a fantastic pair to the former president John Dramani Mahama

Close and credible sources confirmed that majority of the elders of the national council of the NDC are of the strong view and expectation that Mr Kwesi Ahowi will be selected to partner John Dramani Mahama as the running mate in the 2020 elections.

Kwesi Ahwoi (born 17 November 1946) is a former Minister forthe Interior of Ghana. In 2015, he became the first Ghanaian ambassador to the Comoros, he also doubles as ambassador of Ghana in 4 other countries; Lesotho, Mauritius, Seychelles, Swaziland and South Africa

Kwesi Ahwoi attended Prempeh College at Kumasi where he obtained his GCE Ordinary Level in 1965. His sixth form education was at St. Augustine’s College (Cape Coast) where he passed the GCE Advanced Level in 1967. His undergraduate education was at the University of Cape Coast where he obtained the Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Geography and Education. Between 1980 and 1981, he studied for the Post Graduate Certificates in Budgeting and Financial Management and from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration. During 1985 and 1986, he studied for the Postgraduate Certificate in Planning and Resource Management at the University of Maryland, College Park, United States.

Ahwoi has held various positions in government and business. He was the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre during the Rawlings era. Following the December 2008 presidential election, he was appointed Minister for Food and Agriculture by President John Atta Mills. In January 2013, Ahwoi was appointed Minister for the Interior of Ghana by President John Dramani Mahama. He held that position until 16 July 2014. Hon. Kwesi Ahwoi, a public servant of considerable experience, was born on 17th November, 1946. He is married with seven children.

He has attended numerous workshops and seminars on Investment, Industrial Development, Tourism, Public Management and Finance.

Academic Works:

Kwesi Ahwoi has traveled across the length and breadth of the globe in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

His membership of boards and committees over the years include the following:

Chairman of the Board, Mim Timber Co. Ltd. (1988-1992), Chartered Institute of Marketing, Ghana “Marketing Talent of the Year 1990 Award”

The Israeli Institute of Public Opinion – Leading Businessman Award – “3rd Millennium Award for outstanding Economic Cooperation (1999/2001)

International Biographical Centre’s “20th Century Award for Achievement”, in recognition of outstanding achievement in the field of Trade and Investment (2001)

He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana (CIMG).

His professional experience with operational responsibility as Chairman, Chief Executive, Director General Economic Researcher, Senior Manager, Management Consultant and Market/Field Researcher in both government, private and international business environment with key contributions at national and international levels in trade development, capacity building and private sector expertise development in export marketing, investment promotion and revitalization of sick institutions and industries are some of his achievements.

Political Experience

Hon. Kwesi Ahwoi was sworn in as Minister for Food and Agriculture by the President, H. E. Prof. J.E.A. Mills, on February, 2009. In December 7, 2012 when John Dramani Mahama was elected president of the Republic, Mr Ahwoi was apointed Minister of the Interior under the National Democratic Congress government.

Under General Achampong regime he was a member of the Special Action Unit under the Economic Monitory Unit. They were in charge of monitoring the regime’s policies and making sure that the decisions are implemented

This lead to the success of the Operation Feed Yourself Policy under General Akuffo he played the same role as was in the Achampong regime.

Under Dr. Liman the Economic Monitory Unit was renamed as National Development Commission. He played the same pivotal role in transforming the fortunes of the Country.

Under Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings that is both 1979 and 1982 because of Mr Kwesi Ahwoi’s priceless value no matter the regime change he was still kept at Post.

Still under the 1982 Rawlings era he masterminded, designed and proposed the setting up of the National Cocoa Evacuation Program. He was appointed the national coordinator for the program.

He successfully visited over 6500 villages just to make sure that the program achieved its required results. It was during his able guidance that the Shea nut industry blossomed. By recording its highest harvesting period ever (that was over 20,000 bags). From 1986-1993. Was instrumental in Ghana’s economic growth.

Appointed head of the Non Traditional Export (NTE) sector set up by the PNDC regime. NTE was define as all others exports except raw cocoa beans, round timber logs, minerals and electricity.

He was charged with the responsibility of setting up structures and transforming that nonexistent sector. A job he did exceptionally well especially at the time that the international community only wanted to deal with democratically elected governments.

He spear headed the establishment of the Export Production Villages (EPVs) of producers to solve weak production base of the NTE. This was done by assembling of produce of the same product in a given geographical location to mass up their products for easy identification for the export market.

He set up the Ghana Export School Project funded under the UNDP funding. Which sort to educate exporters who new nothing about the industry, but where full of enthusiasm in learning best practices that will make them succeed in the export industry.

He also set up the Exporters’ Forum: an interactive consultative medium that brought operators and officialdom together in person to deliberate regularly on all issues affecting the industry.

He also set up the National Awards For Export Achievement: it is an annual event designated to select, recognize and award at the highest level, star performers for the year. Even till date this legacy lives on.

Export Development and Investment Fund (now renamed as Exim bank) an indigenous export financing scheme was conceived, planned and designed by him to solve the harsh lending interest which went against local exporters as compared to their foreign counter parts. Even though the World Bank was against it he still went ahead established it to help the local industries.

He also set up the Ghana Export Trade and Information Center: To improve access to information for the average exporter. It was set up to provide instant information through the internet which impacts either directly or indirectly on exports.

He upgraded the Packaging and labeling Industry to international standards with knock on effects for the local industry.

Period between 1993-1994

He was appointed as the CEO of Ghana Trade Fair Center. He transformed a dying institution then into a lucrative one. At the time he was taking over as the CEO the center could only boast of a $2million market. Just a year he took over management as the CEO it became a $1billion market.

Period between 1994-2001

He was appointed as the CEO of Ghana Investment Promotion Center. He brought enormous amount of changes into the center which even led to him establishing the Ghana Club 100 (was also his brain child).

Source: Patrick Asford Boadu