‘Accra cannot carry it all’ – Kennedy Agyapong vows to relocate Ministries
New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer aspirant Kennedy Ohene Agyapong has pledged to relocate several key ministries from Accra to various regions as part of an ambitious plan to promote genuine decentralisation and balanced national development.
Addressing supporters during his campaign tour of Salaga North, Mr Agyapong said Ghana could not achieve equitable growth if government institutions, economic activity, and job opportunities continued to be concentrated in the capital city.
He said his decentralisation policy aimed to ensure that national progress was reflected in every region rather than being limited to Accra.
“For decades, successive governments have spoken about decentralisation without taking bold steps to make it happen,” he said. “The result has been unequal development, congestion in Accra, and the slow death of towns that once had economic promise.”
Mr Agyapong explained that his proposal would shift the administrative and economic structure of the country by empowering regions to manage major sectors of the national economy. He said decentralisation should no longer be a political slogan but a deliberate effort to move government authority, employment opportunities, and infrastructure development to all regions.
Outlining his vision, he said ministries would be relocated based on the natural strengths of each region. For instance, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture would be moved to the northern part of the country to take advantage of its fertile lands and livestock potential. “With the ministry and its agencies located there, the north would attract direct investment in agricultural processing, storage, and mechanisation, creating jobs and reducing poverty,” he said.
Similarly, he said, the Ministry of Energy would be based in the Western Region, where Ghana’s oil and gas resources are found. This, he explained, would enhance supervision of the extractive sector, boost local content, and accelerate the growth of energy-related industries such as petrochemical and gas processing plants.
Mr Agyapong also proposed relocating the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture to the Volta Region to promote domestic and international tourism. “With its mountains, waterfalls, beaches, and rich cultural heritage, the Volta Region has all it takes to become a major tourism and creative arts hub,” he stated.
He argued that the decentralisation plan would reshape governance, stimulate inter-regional trade, and reduce the economic pressure on Accra. “It makes no sense for young people from every region to move to Accra simply because that is where the jobs are,” he said. “When we move ministries, private sector jobs will follow, and towns that are currently ignored will come alive again.”
According to Mr Agyapong, relocating ministries would also encourage the development of new transport networks linking regions based on trade needs. Roads and rail lines would connect regional markets, expanding commerce and creating opportunities for farmers, manufacturers, and artisans.
He assured that the proposed decentralisation would be supported by a digital governance system to maintain coordination and efficiency among ministries across the country. “With digital management, video conferencing, and data integration, ministries can function effectively regardless of their location,” he explained.
Mr Agyapong said the policy would ensure fairness in the distribution of national resources, strengthen unity, and give every region a direct stake in Ghana’s development. “True unity is built when citizens feel that government works for them no matter where they live,” he noted.
