President Akufo-Addo chairs ECOWAS
The Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has said that the Akufo-Addo magic, as expressed in his esteemed leadership qualities, is expected to inspire the entire region as he assumes the role as the new Chair of ECOWAS.
According to him, the honour accorded President Nana Akufo-Addo by ECOWAS Heads of States at such a time proves the confidence of the Member State in his abilities.
“Ghana notes that, it being an election year here, it is rare that our President will be given such a task and honour, especially at a time that the sub region is battling a pandemic, insecurity and economic challenges.
“We note, however, that this election is an expression of confidence in the ability of President Akufo-Addo to multi task, both locally and internationally, even in the midst of all these complexities,” he said when he addressed a press conference in Kumasi yesterday.
He said, gleaning from commentary from the sub-region in terms of the impressions about how President Akufo-Addo has steered the affairs of Ghana for the past three and half years, there is a high expectation that the President’s leadership will “inure to the benefit of all across the region.”
Honour to Ghana
Back home, Nana Osore Krunku III, Acting President and Kyidomhene of Nkomi Traditional Area in the Sene East District of the Bono East Region, says the chiefs and people of his Traditional Area are confident that the people of Ghana will give President Akufo-Addo a second-term mandate.
According to the chief, in the run up to the 2016 election, then candidate Akufo-Addo promised to create new regions from the existing ones and, true to his word, six new regions have been created, with the Bono East Region carved out from the old Brong-Ahafo Region.
“Indeed, because of your exemplary leadership in Ghana, your policies that have affected every part of Ghana, your handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and your international standing in West Africa, you have been elevated to the status of ECOWAS Chairman. We congratulate you on this outstanding feat. You have brought honour to Mother Ghana,” Nana Osore Krunku III told the President yesterday when he visited the area as part of his tour of the region.
Promises fulfilled
Citing examples of the policies that have been implemented by the Akufo-Addo government during the last three and a half years, he stated that most of the promises contained in the 2016 NPP manifesto have been fulfilled.
“In times past, our railways sector was in complete disarray. Today, our railways sector has been revived, and trains are plying routes from Accra to Tema and to Nsawam. This is a great thing for Ghana. Again, Free SHS has reduced the financial burden on parents, and has allowed students, who would have otherwise truncated their education at JHS level, now have the opportunity to further their education, and, thereby, guaranteed a brighter future,” he said.
The chief added: “There were many who said Free SHS was not going to be possible. You (President Akufo-Addo) have done well by fulfilling this promise. Planting for Food and Jobs, Youth in Afforestation, are some of the policies benefiting residents of Sene East.”
He also thanked President Akufo-Addo for decentralising the processing of awarding scholarships, and for implementing policies like NABCO, which has helped solve the problem of graduate unemployment.
Praying for good health, wisdom and long life for the President, Nana Osore Krunku III said, “Four more years for Nana is already assured. There is no question about it.”
Pre-fabricated warehouse
Earlier in the day, President Akufo-Addo also commissioned a 1,000 metric tonne pre-fabricated warehouse at Kwame Danso, in the Sene West constituency. It is one of 80 being constructed across the country.
According to the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, prior to the assumption of office of President Akufo-Addo, there were only 27 warehouses in the country, all of which were constructed in the 1960s.
He explained further that, as a result of the success of the Planting for Food and Jobs programme, the warehouse is expected not only to reduce post-harvest losses, but also motivate farmers to increase production, create market linkages, stabilise prices for farmers and increase their incomes.
In addition, this intervention will create employment, ensure a continuous flow of agriculture produce in the market within the locality and across the country.
Source: dailystatesman.com.gh/Isabella Agyakwa & Benedicta Akplor
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