Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, a senior member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has become a key player in Ghana’s political scene and has permanently altered the course of the country. His influence as the minister of information extends far and wide, affecting important facets of politics, the economy, and youth empowerment. Nkrumah’s rise to fame is evidence of his devotion, vision, and drive to lead Ghana towards a better future. In this article, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah’s impressive political growth is discussed, along with his contributions to the NPP and significant roles in the development of Ghana.
Background
Nkrumah was born in Koforidua, in the Eastern Region of Ghana. He has a bachelor’s in commerce from the University of Cape Coast, an MBA in marketing from the University of Ghana, Legon, and a bachelor’s in law (LLB) from the Ghana Institute of Management and Professional Administration (GIMPA).
Career
Kojo Oppong Nkrumah started his career as a Treasury analyst at British American Tobacco in 2006. He later moved on to Joy FM as a broadcast journalist, hosting the Super Morning Show after the departure of ace host Komla Dumor. In 2014, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah bowed out of broadcasting to establish an investment firm, West Brownstone Capital. By 2016, he had successfully become a lawyer practicing at Kulendi, Attafuah, and Amponsah at law. In 2020, he was selected as one of the world’s 115 young global leaders by the World Economic Forum.
Politics
Kojo Oppong Nkrumah is essentially an astute and accomplished Ghanaian politician and a card-bearing member of the new patriotic party. In 2015, he contested and won the NPP parliamentary primaries for the Ofoase-Ayirebiconstituency in the Eastern Region of Ghana. He won the parliamentary seat during the 2016 Ghanaian general elections.
He became the Minister for Information in Ghana and the Cabinet spokesperson on the economy. He additionally served as a member of the Finance and Constitutional Committees of the 7th Parliament of Ghana. He is currently the president’s representative at the Ministry of Information.
Prior to his appointment as substantive minister in November 2018, he served as Deputy Minister for Information. He is serving his second term as an MP in the 8th Parliament of Ghana.
The political work and growth of Kojo Oppong Nkrumah
Economy
In Ghana, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has played a crucial role in promoting policies that support economic growth and development. He has put a focus on programmes designed to encourage entrepreneurship, draw in investment, and aid small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). In order to promote an atmosphere that is favourable for business and encourages both domestic and foreign investment, Nkrumah has championed transparency and accountability in economic governance.
He was instrumental in presenting Ghana’s economic goals to potential investors both domestically and abroad, positioning Ghana as a lucrative investment.
One District, One Factory
The “One District, One Factory” policy, which aims to promote industrialization and economic growth at the district level, was one policy that Nkrumah actively supported and participated in the implementation of. In order to generate jobs and strengthen local economies, this effort promotes the creation of several factories throughout the districts.
Digitization
Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has been a major proponent of digitization in Ghana as the country’s Minister of Information. His efforts are focused on establishing Ghana as a competitive nation in the digital sphere, utilising technology for development and innovation.
He promotes a digital mindset by showcasing the advantages of technology in many fields and emphasising its contribution to a country’s development. Nkrumah actively influences legislation promoting digitization, particularly in the fields of e-government projects and the development of an ecosystem that supports tech firms. He also stresses the significance of digital literacy, inclusion, and cooperation between the public and commercial sectors in order to progress Ghana’s development in the digital age.
Right to Information (RTI) bill
As a member of parliament and then as minister of information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah was a key figure in advancing Ghana’s Right to Information (RTI) bill. He actively participated in parliamentary debates and committees to help draft the legislation, spoke in favour of the measure, and emphasised how crucial it was for giving residents access to public information. As minister of information, he continued to promote the RTI bill by informing the public of its advantages and promoting openness and citizen participation. His actions demonstrated a strong commitment to increasing public empowerment and good governance through openness.
Law and governance
Nkrumah has been instrumental in spreading knowledge about the government’s policies and initiatives pertaining to law and governance in his capacity as Minister of Information. He has emphasised initiatives to build democratic institutions, advance the rule of law, and guarantee sound governance. Because of Nkrumah’s support for openness and participation from the public, citizens are now better informed, and the government is held to higher standards of accountability.
The National Anti-Galamsey Task Force is a government project that aims to stop illicit mining, safeguard the environment, and preserve Ghana’s natural resources. Nkrumah played a key role in its establishment and promotion. Also, he has taken a proactive role in encouraging residents to participate in democratic activities, distributing knowledge about electoral processes, and ensuring legitimate and transparent elections.
Youth, Education, and Skills Development
Nkrumah has been a major proponent of youth empowerment, education, and skill development because he understood the significance of the young in nation-building. He has worked to support educational reforms, career development programmes, and skill-building projects that give young people the skills they need for employment and entrepreneurship. In line with Ghana’s goal of utilising its demographic dividend, Nkrumah also backed initiatives targeted at encouraging youth innovation and creativity.
In order to improve the quality of instruction, school facilities, and student access, particularly in rural regions, Nkrumah argued for more budgetary support for education. He founded the Oppong Nkrumah Education and Skills Development Fund in 2017 to provide education and skills development support for the youth of the constituency. Between 2017 and 2022, the fund has provided scholarships to more than 300 constituents across different tertiary institutions in the country.
He has advocated for initiatives like the Nation Builders Corps (NABCO), which aims to combat young unemployment and give graduates job possibilities. This programme provides opportunities for skill development and practical training to improve employability.
Honours
Oppong Nkrumah was recognised and honoured by the Digital Corp. group for his exceptional management and dissemination of government information. The group commended his innovative approach to navigating the challenges posed by misinformation and fake news in the digital age. Acknowledging his swift and adept responses to false media reports, they presented him with a plaque celebrating his role as an icon of the digital era.
Kojo Oppong Nkrumah’s growth within the New Patriotic Party and his time serving as minister of information have demonstrated his commitment to Ghana’s advancement. He has shown how to take a comprehensive approach to establishing a country by pushing for economic growth, promoting good administration, and emphasising youth development and education. The leadership of Nkrumah serves as an example of a vision that prioritises the needs of the nation and its people, strengthening the hope for a more prosperous Ghana. The country waits with eager anticipation as he continues his political career, anticipating additional achievements and significant contributions towards a better Ghana.
