Interview with Joe Hackman, MP, Gomoa West

This is Mr. CNN of Ghanaweb at the House of Parliament in Ghana on January 11, 2005 interviewing Honourable Joe Kingsley Hackman, Member of Parliament for Gomoa West. This man made history and impressed many friends/compatriots who jubilated when they heard he had won the historical election.

Also present at this interview was Hon. Richmond Sam Quarm of Gomoa East who is "training" Hon. Hackman.

Mr.CNN: Hon. Hackman can you tell me about yourself, where you were born and had your education?

Hon. Hackman: Alright, my name is Joe Kingsley Hackman, I was born in Apam in the Central Region which is the District capital for Gomoa West. I trained myself very well that I had my basic education here in Ghana and and worked in Ghana for about five years before leaving Ghana to Nigeria in 1979 where I also left to Holland in 1981. I educated myself at the College of Estate Management and Neason College of Technology in the UK and eventually completed my professional studies in Building Technology and Management. I qualified as a Chartered Builder then later read a Master of Science Degree in Construction Management at the South Bank University in London. I worked in Holland, France and the USA. I came back to Ghana in 1994 after being away for a while and then became a University Professor at KNUST. I teach construction technology and management. That is what I have been doing. Occasionally, I do a little bit of domestic house design and construction project management consulting, and project cost control but I felt I had to step forward and help build my community at another level.

Mr. CNN: You mentioned earlier that you wanted to serve in your community, what is it that prompted you to be in politics in general

Hon. Hackman: I realized that teaching at the university was one thing and helping to build the community could influence development in the country. Furthermore, after the 2000 election, some members of our community called me and told me that they wished I could serve the community in another way by becoming their candidate for the 2004 election so that I can help in the development process for Gomoa West in particular. They thought I had lots of ideas to help build the community. I accepted to be the NPP's candidate for the Gomoa West because I realised my experience as Construction Technologist and teaching could be brought to bear in serving the community since construction is a major part in development

Mr. CNN: What is the strategy you used in your campaign to beat your opponent?

Hon. Hackman: In fact I told the electorate the truth and I talked about issues confronting the Gomoa West and Ghana as a whole especially, what Gomoa West was supposed to be but not at the moment. I made them aware of the dangerous effects of youth unemployment, high levels of poverty in the community, decaying school building, lack of development and especially poor sanitation, which I saw as a very big problem. Social Infrastructure was also a problem and I thought the knowledge and skills that I have acquired living outside the country would help transfer some of the skills and the experience that I had gained around the world to help Gomoa West.

Mr. CNN: What was your first feeling when you realized that you had won this historical election?

Hon. Hackman: It was unbelievable because the opponent that I was contesting had been seen around the country as very tough to beat in the election so I didn't take any chance at all. I worked very hard, I woke up at dawn, visited the community, identified issues that required serious attention and outlined my strategies to handle the problems and bring under control as well as programmemes that I intend to initiate to benefit them. Infact, I spoke basically about the issues and my solution to these problems as I saw them. I am sure they saw my programmeme and strategies as the way forward for the Gomoa community and approved of it. They trusted that I would be able to deliver what I was telling them in the campaign.

Mr. CNN: Today is your official first day in Parliament, what was the atmosphere like?

Hon. Hackman: It was very interesting and exciting. I realized that anybody who woke up to speak had previously done a little of research work before he or she woke up to speak in parliament. I realized immediately that if I could make any impact in parliament, I needed to keep abreast with lots of current issues especially the socio-economic ones. I also needed to do a lot of research so I could contribute positively to the discussions that will affect and change the way Ghana develops. I intend doing that immediately by starting my research work immediately so I will be able to contribute meaningfully to the debates in Parliament.

Mr. CNN: Do you have any training schedule since you are a "freshman" in Parliament?

Hon. Hackman: I don't know at this moment but we have had an orientation just before we were sworn in and I am expecting more seminars in the next few days to put me on focus. Beside that when I was in the US, I spoke to some people already in politics, Barbara King, Donald Payne and all those guys that have been very instrumental in the Ghanaian community as well as politicians especially the congressmen in New Jersey. I have spoken to a few and asked them to give me an insight into the works of Parliament. I think I have a broad idea but whether that is directly applicable to Ghana, is another issue. But you can see I have my brother from Gomoa East who has been in the last section of Parliament and keeps guiding me. I would not have to bother myself too much with him around.

Mr. CNN: What role will you play in Parliament in terms of various committees designed by Parliament?

Hon. Hackman: I have filled in the forms, and indicated the areas that I think I can offer my services but have not been assigned in any of those committees yet. We just did that last week and I am sure by the end of the week, this would come up and will be assigned to one of the committees that I selected. So I am looking forward to what/where Parliament wil assign me.

Mr. CNN: Where do you see yourself and Gomoa West in the next 4 years?

Hon. Hackman: I see myself as the catalyst who will initiate the change that Gomoa needs to survive and prosper to make our citizens proud and deliver on my promises. I will be working tirelessly to bring smiles to most of the people in Gomoa West by especially solving their drinking water problems and providing them with good roads and electricity in order to enable us to attract investors to invest in our rich natural resources and our hardworking youth. If I am able to achieve that then I will become a likeable person in the community and I will not have to campaign too hard during the next election because the evidence will be evidently clear for everyone to see in order to put me back to Parliament the next four years again.

Mr. CNN: What programmes have you outlined for the youths?

Hon. Hackman: So much; the youths are the lifeblood of our community. They are talented, smart and always willing o work and I am looking forward to serving them. Youth unemployment is an issue and lots of our youths migrate to the urban centres in search of jobs that do not exist. My immediate plan is to set up strategies to woo investors into the community especially in agro-forestry product, fish farming, salt and tourism and small scale businesses in manufacturing so that they could get into some profitable ventures. I wish I could create some percentage of youth entrepreneurs and help them find markets for their products as well and see them doing well in whatever business they choose to do. In the sense they would be able to contribute to the community's development and that they would be proud of themselves that they are part of the responsible citizens of the community. If that is not done those unemployed youth would keep flooding the urban centres in search for jobs which do not exist. That should be a priority for every politician so I will tackle the youth problem urgently and will be working towards youth training centres to provide basic skills in technical, be it carpentry, masonry, radio repairs, automobile mechanics/fitting whatever. When they have acquired these skills and even travel outside the community they will be equipped with the acquired skills which will make them employable. I think that is my major programme for the youth.

Mr. CNN: What message do you have for your friends/compatriots in the USA who helped you in your campaign?

Hon. Hackman: I have to say a very big thank you to all of the Ghanaians and our African-American friends in the tri-states including Pittsburgh Pensylvania, the church communities, especially St. Mary's Parishiners and especially those who worked tirelessly both financially and spiritually and all that I can think of to help my campaign and made things easier for me. I also encourage them to continue doing whatever they are doing very well so that they would make more impact in their community so as to project the image of Ghana in the US. They should continue to pray for me and support me so that I will be able to represent and be their voice in the Ghanaian parliament and represent their interest positively, and help fight for their recognition in national policies. I will also encourage them to consider setting up businesses in Ghana and encourage other nationals to do so and make Ghana a favourable destination for investment. Permit me again to say a big thank you especially to all the guys that contributed to my fundraising last September in New Jersey, New York, the NPP Chapter in New Jersey, Kwabena Appiah, Kwame Djan, Kofi Bawuah, Atta Boamah, Mr. Dwomoh Lizbee and Ishmael, especially my wife; Elsie Hackman who continues to initiate programmes to project my work for the community and all those guys who contributed in diverse ways and still continue to do so as I speak now. There are a whole lot to mention. Also Barbara King, Jim Nance and all the guys, I think about them. I cannot recall all the names since I am under pressure now but I wish them all well and I want them to continue supporting all the good courses to help our nation to develop. I pray God will protect them and bless them so that they would be able to do what they have already been doing.

Mr. CNN: Well thank you, Honorable Hackman, this is the end of the interview. My best wishes to you in Parliament and I know you will be a success and a role model for all Ghanaians abroad.

Hon. Hackman: Thank you very much and have a very safe trip back to the United States and give my hearts to New Jersey and New York.

Mr. CNN: You are welcome.