Türkiye tractor assembly plant seeks partnership in Ghana
He assured the company that the government had laid a solid foundation in the agriculture sector, saying it was time companies such as Hattat Traktör took advantage of the conducive and stable economy to grow their business.
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Dr Akoto, who disclosed this to the Daily Graphic on arrival from Türkiye, explained that, "I briefed the management of the company about the huge investment the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government has made in the agric sector."
Dr Akoto was in Türkiye as guest speaker at the 2023 African investors council forum organised by the forum on the theme, “Agricultural development and investment opportunities in Africa (Ghana as a case study)”.
Dr Akoto explained that the government had confidence in the agricultural sector as the driver of the nation's economy, "and I want Hattat Traktör to be part of the success story.
"I took them through what has happened in the agricultural sector over the last six years.
"I briefed them about the introduction of the five modules of the Planting for Food and Jobs, one of which is the mechanisation," he recalled.
He said his six years on the seat as the Minister of Food and Agriculture had given him a clear view that with the right investment in the agriculture sector in the form of tools and inputs, “Ghana can be in a strategic position to feed the sub-region.”
Importance of tractors
Dr Akoto explained that he invited the company to Ghana because of the important role of tractors as important tools in the modernisation of agriculture in the country.
"That informed my decision to visit the company to see the possibility of it establishing an assembling plant in the country," he explained.
The former minister said the ultimate goal was to get the company to establish a branch of the manufacturing plant in Ghana.
“The benefits of establishing the manufacturing plant in Ghana are obvious and enormous.
Apart from making the machines accessible to our farmers, it will also create jobs for our youth,” Dr Akoto told the Daily Graphic.
Dr Akoto, a flag bearer hopeful for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), said such a plant would not only offer direct jobs, but the indirect ones, where local mechanics would specialise in the repair of as well as those who would learn to operate them.
"The company was excited to learn about Ghana and said it would do a follow-up to Ghana to seek local partners in the private sector to start with the assemblying plant," Dr Akoto revealed.
He commended the company for showing interest in using Ghana as a gateway to Africa, adding that such a global icon opting to site a branch in Ghana meant that there was a trust in the Ghanaian economy.
Dr Akoto explained that Hattat Traktör was a member of the Hattat Group, operating in the areas of automotive and construction machinery industry since 1973.
“It is among the top 10 companies in the world by providing optimum agricultural vehicles and services for needs and expectations of customers,” the former minister added.
Agric sector
He said the time had come for the world to recognize Africa as an investment hub, especially in the agriculture sector because of the comparative advantages in the continent.
Dr Akoto said over the years, the perception of Africa was one of negative propaganda “but this perception is gradually giving way to a continent of potential investment destination.”
He said Ghana was strategically located within the continent with all the needed resources in the agricultural sector.
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Political ambition
Touching on his political ambition, Dr Akoto explained that he was motivated to enter the race to correct all the ills and lead the party to “break the eight”, which is the mantra of the party.
He was convinced of emerging one of the five at the super congress and later picking the flag of the party for the 2024 general election.
“I have a strong support base across the political divide and I am very convinced that with such a support, especially the farmers, they will deliver me victory, come the December 2024 general election,” the confident looking flag bearer hopeful said.