Dan
Abodakpi for NDC Chairmanship
He has all the attributes needed in a
leader to rejuvenate National Democratic Congress.
He is hardworking, highly experienced,
knowledgeable, reliable, devoted politician, affable and appeals to the rank
and file of the party
It is doubtless that NDC has many credible
people, but Ambassador Daniel Kwasi Abodakpi,
one of Ghana’s finest diplomats and astute politicians, stands out as the
highly credible to effectively chair the party.
His Vision
He is certain he has the capability to
redeem the image of the NDC as the most preferred party in the country, through
a rekindling of the spirit of commitment and loyalty and inclusivity for a
united party to support government to meet the aspirations of the masses.
With his combined knowledge and vast
experience from decades of service in the legislature, diplomatic arena, trade
and investment industry and political sphere, Dan Abodakpi, Ghana’s High
Commissioner to Malaysia, is the man to reorganize the party for sustained
victory and progress.
His objective to quickly revive the party
to secure massive victory at the 2016 elections , and make it the party of
choice by reawakening the spirit of loyalty among members, and also attract
more members, as well as endear the party to floating voters.
Ambassador Abodokpi, a very decisive and a
down-to-earth person, is sure his vast experience would be in handy to steer
the affairs of the NDC as the National Chairman.
His successful career has seen his through
being a Member of Parliament for Keta for 16 years, Minister of Trade and
Industry, Provisional National Defense Council (PNDC) Deputy Secretary for CDRs
in 1986, and Ghana’s High Commissioner to Malaysia.
Profile
Daniel Kwasi Abodakpi was born on 27
February 1950. He had his secondary
education at the Takoradi Secondary School.
He continued at the Presbyterian Training College, Akropong for Post Secondary
Teacher Training Certificate ‘A’ and thence acquired a Diploma in Science and
Education from the Advance Teacher’s Training College in Winneba. He pursued further studies at various
institutions of learning namely :
v
Certificate in
Leaders in Development : Managing Political and Economic Reform, from Kennedy
School of Business (Havard – U.S.A.), June 2001
v
Attachment –
Universities of Minneapolis and Washington State University, International
Visitor Education Programme (Fellow of PHELPS STOKES EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION).
v
Attachment –
Institute of Social Studies, Moscow – U.S.S.R., 1986
Career Achievement
Prior to his appointment as Ghana’s High
Commissioner to Malaysia, Ambassador Abodakpi had a long spell in Public
Service in Ghana. Between 1982 and 1986
(during the early years of the 31st December Revolution), Ambassador Abodakpi
held various public positions in Ghana including :
v
Regional Co-ordinator
for the People’s Defence Committee (PDC) and National Defense Committee (NDC)
Tema Region in 1982.
v
Special Assistant to
Political Counselor for Committees for Defense of the Revolution (CDR) (1984 –
1986) with Cabinet status.
Due to his hard work and dedication,
Ambassador Abodakpi was appointed Provisional National Defense Council (PNDC)
Deputy Secretary for CDRs in 1986, when the post of Political Counsellor was
abolished. A position he held until 1991.
Following, a Ministerial restructuring in
1993, he became the Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry. He became the
substantive Minister for Trade and Industry from January 1999 to January 2001
before a change of government. Ambassador Abodakpi has also been a Member of
Parliament for the Keta Constituency for 16 years from January 1993 to January
2009.
Between 2001 and 2006, he was the Ranking
Member in Parliament for Trade, Industry and Tourism. From 2007 to January 2009 he was the Ranking
Member for Employment and Social Welfare. In addition to these appointments,
Ambassador Abodakpi served on various Boards and Committees in Ghana including:
Member, Divestiture Implementation
Committee (1984 – 2001); Member, Ghana Police Council (1985 – 1987); Member,
National Economic Management Team ( 1985 – 2001); Chairman, Ghana Tourist Board
(1991 – 2001); Chairman, Ghana Export Promotion Council (1993 – 2001); Member,
Board of Directors – Irani Brothers Ghana Ltd.( 1986 – 1993); Co-Chairman, The
Trade Investment Programme (1995 – 1999); Chairman, Ghana Freezones Board (1999
– Jan 2001).
At the international level, he was elected
the First Vice Chairman of the International Trade Centre (ITC) in Geneva for
two consecutive years (1995 to 1997).
Legacy
During his long period in Public Service,
Ambassador Abodakpi achieved so much. Among his major achievements, the
Ambassador led the introduction and implementation of many initiatives in the
trade and social sectors that continue to drive the national economy.
As one of the finest trade and investment
experts the nation has had, Ambassador Abodakpi is credited for the:
v
Introduction of the
Free Zones Programme into Ghana in response to challenge of Trade
Liberalization and Globalization with the view to providing appropriate
incentive framework for attracting FDI and local investments for job creation
and export expansion.
v
Introduction the
Ghana Trade and Investment Gateway Programme as a comprehensive Trade and
Investment facilitation framework aimed at making Ghana the preferred Trade and
Investment destination into West Africa.
v
Development of the
Destination Inspection and Computerised Risk Management in place of Pre-shipment
Inspection to romote fast and more transparent port operations and clearance
procedures at Ghana’s ports.
v
Pioneering the
introduction of the Ghana Community Network and Ghana Customs Management
systems (GCNET and GCMS) which are unique electronic platforms for managing
International trade transactions to maximise customs revenue collections at
ports of entry.
v
Establishment of the
Export Development and Investment Fund (EDIF) to help address the problems of
cost of credit and credit availability for entrepreneurs involved in Export
trade and product development for exports.
v
Institution of the
National Tourism Award Scheme to motivate practioners in the Tourism Industry.
v
Establishment of
Ghana’s Diplomatic Mission in Malaysia in pursuit of strong trade and
investment ties with ASEAN.
v
Construction of infrastructure
across country to promote expansion and growth in the traditional kente
industry.
v
Establishment of
Science and Technology Parks in Ghana to towards creating a knowledge economy,
as well as mobilizing support for the national industrialization.
