President Akufo-Addo with members of the Board of TCDA
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has sworn into office deputy ministers to support their substantive ministers to work on his behalf in executing roles that support good governance and national development.
In a chat with them, on Friday, he reminded them to strive to put Ghana first through a fair mix of competence and loyalty.
He also urged them to justify their inclusion into those high offices by executing their roles in selling government programmes and helping enhance the credibility of the governing New Patriotic Party as a government of natural choice in the eye of the Ghanaian electorate.
Relevance
This is certainly a message to all appointees of the Akufo-Addo government. The relevance of the message cannot be questioned in the light of the poor performance of appointees in selling government programmes on the grounds in constituencies and districts, despite the remarkable accomplishments of the government.
The President was also on point with his caution on loyalty, given that his last administration saw a bit too much of some appointees spinning their tops when they should have been unifying forces on the ground for the collective good of party and government.
Ambitious programmes
Another reason why appointees should sit up is that this year has been slated by the President for implementing ambitious infrastructure programmes, including roads, bridges, district hospitals and massive skills training initiatives to bolster job creation and improvement in lives and livelihoods.
As all would admit, construction creates jobs for the youth in project communities, as well as expands the service industry along that stretch.
Apart from that, it has the potential of reducing migration, and encouraging employed youth to modestly invest back home.
Additionally, construction of more health facilities also helps not only in bringing about development, in terms of adding up to existing amenities, but also brings the fruits of accessible health delivery to the doors of people in vulnerable communities.
Connecting with the ground
As these projects and programmes roll out, it is therefore the responsibility of these appointees to connect with the party machinery and lead in beating the ‘gong-gong’ and creating concrete awareness about government’s transformational agenda.
We may recall the admission by a traditional ruler in Bawku, during a tour of the northern regions by the President to the effect that, despite where his community sits politically, this is one government that can put a finger on several development initiatives.
That should indicate to appointees of the government that they may be missing an opportunity in selling the government and party because they use the wrong approach connecting with those who matter on the ground in tricky constituencies.
Any appointee who fails to connect with youth associations, religious and traditional authorities as well as opinion leaders cannot be said to be loyal or working in the interest of government and party.
Party responsibility
In the same breath, it is expected that party leaders in the constituencies and regions will have programmes to guide local political actors in conducting these promotions in a coordinated manner.
The appointee, like the district, regional or constituency political actor, has a commitment and responsibility all year round in promoting the activities of the government. This is effectively done through drawing attention of opinion leaders to new and ongoing projects, explaining the benefits and encouraging them to own it and ensuring, for instance, that they are properly maintained.
That is a way of showing loyalty and efficiency, as stewards of God, community, party and country.
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