Vincent Djokoto, an Aŋlɔ royal and business advisor, is on a mission to make the Keta District a location fit for financiers, promising start-ups, and high-value businesses. He argues that if government reduces taxes on small businesses and sets up venture capital funds – which make rural development a priority, its local economy would attain significant growth.
“The straightforward vision is to design a modern culture of entrepreneurship that keeps residents of the Keta District innovating and building,” Mr. Djokoto said. “Government has a vital role to play in reducing the cost of doing business in districts, such as Keta, so commercial activities would increase,” he added.
On a humid morning at Airport Hills, a handful of corporate strategists and associates are at the childhood residence of Mr. Djokoto, casually referred to as VLK. They’re debating how to divide very little resources to tackle the plethora of social issues which have prevailed in the Keta Constituency – such as a scholarship fund for bright students, and extra support classes for those struggling to catch up.
Noticeably, Mr. Djokoto is equally bothered about other matters too, which include mitigating the coastal erosion crisis in the district, and active steps toward the construction of a port at Keta.
In his management consulting firm’s – D. K. T. Djokoto & Co – plan for rural development, Mr. Djokoto disclosed the business’ devotion toward nurturing a sustainable local economy.
A discreet pre-independence era firm, founded in 1950 by his grandfather, Daniel Kojo Tenge Djokoto, the firm advises an elite clientele of royals, politicians and high net-worth individuals.
“Squeaky clean, green-oriented and technologically advanced” is the image of Keta Mr. Djokoto says he seeks to project to Ghana and the rest of the world. Hence, he prefers to use a bicycle as often as possible instead of his ‘Uber-esque’ Suzuki when touring different parts of the constituency.
Sometimes during the wee hours of the morning with his brother, Tɛŋgɛ, by his side, VLK would stroll along the Keta beach and paint his dream in the air with words and gestures. A workaholic entrepreneur, he is widely touted as a radical moderniser with a credible solution to one of the most promising districts in Ghana.
Bridget Otoo, a renowned political journalist, put it this way: “I believe Keta, with VLK’s vision and leadership, will put pressure on the rest of the Volta Region and Ghana for rural development. People will begin to ask: If the Keta District can do it, why can’t we?”
Meanwhile, Mr. Djokoto vows to reverse the trend among Keta constituents he laments “are in a hurry to bolt off to Accra or any other urban town”. But one of the biggest risks for Keta, he says at the porch of his childhood residence, is that “the exploration of oil does not disintegrate into a political crisis”.
He has also denounced sand winning activities on the beach, and calls for more security surveillance in a tougher approach to law and order within the Keta District. With other matters – such as light fishing – becoming a major issue for the Keta Constituency, Mr. Djokoto stresses the need for dialogue with the fisher-folk to ensure proper regulation ensues.
For the past six years, VLK has vociferously rallied the business community to invest and support the district.
