Presidential Candidate of the Progressive People's Party (PPP), Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom says he would end the importation of rice to Ghana if given the mandate in the upcoming December polls.

He could not comprehend why the country has large arable land than most of the countries it imports rice from yet has not found it relevant to cultivate the rice. Ghana currently produces 30 percent of its rice demands with the rest imported from other countries.

Speaking at Ayawaso, a suburb of Accra  as part of his four-day tour of the Greater Accra Region, the economist said he would bolster the economy by establishing industries across the country.

"The PPP is here to ask for your vote to ensure that our farmers, businessmen, and women get state support to expand their business and farms to create jobs for our teeming unemployed youth,” he said.

With 74 days for Ghanaians to either decide the next President or retain the current President John Mahama of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), political activities have peaked.

Launching the NDC 2016 manifesto last week at the Sunyani Coronation Park in the Brong Ahafo Region, President Mahama itemised his achievements making a case for Ghanaians to retain him. He cited the 615-bed University of Ghana Hospital project, the Ridge Hospital Expansion project, the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange and Kasoa Interchange projects, works in the education sector, road networks among other social intervention programmes government has undertaken.

The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa-Akufo-Addo has also been campaigning across the country promising to cite one-factory in every district in the country. He has also promised to drill a dam in every village in the Northern Region.

Even though many surveys including London-based Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU) whose July report predicted a comfortable victory for the NPP in the December polls, Dr Nduom believes a choice between the NDC and NPP would be a grave mistake.

Having established many industries in Ghana that are employing teeming of unemployed Ghanaians, the business mogul said if given the mandate he would erase unemployment by addressing the cause which is the challenges businesses are facing in the country.

Regarding agriculture, Dr Nduom said he would empower farmers by giving them access to friendly tools that will help increase their yield as well as financial support.

He also used the opportunity to introduce the party's parliamentary candidate for Madina Constituency Rev. James Reynolds Boadi Baafi to the constituents.

Dr Nduom was accompanied by his running mate, Brigitte Dzogbenuku, 2nd Vice-Chairperson of the party, Berlinda Bulley, PPP Policy Advisor, Kofi Asamoah Siaw and Executive Director, Richard Nii Armah.

myjoyonline.com