President Akufo-Addo has been applauded by the Chief of Sankore in the Ahafo Region, Nana Ogyedom Appiah Kubi Pabo Katakye IV, for visiting the area by road.
The chief’s sarcastic remark comes against the backdrop of former President John Mahama making such trips by air during his tenure.
It would be recalled that in the dying months of the previous administration, the head of state told then-presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Nana Akufo-Addo that he was not appreciating the good roads constructed in the country because he was always sleeping on his trips.
According to the Chief of Sankore, “It’s rare for a sitting President to defy the terrible conditions of our roads to be here with us. The President could have decided to end his tour in Goaso, but for his love and fervent regard for the people of Sankore, he decided to begin his tour of Ahafo here.”
The chief made the remarks during a durbar held in honour of the President as part of his two-day tour of the Ahafo Region which ended on Saturday.
Petty Gossips
The Sankore Chief said: “You have done a lot in only two years. We have heard and have seen. Even if we are blind, we are not deaf. Continue on this path.”
“The chiefs and people of Sankore are solidly behind you in whatever you will do to ensure progress and development for Ghana. Pay no heed to petty gossip. It takes courage to run a government, and you have it. Sankore is behind you,” he added.
He also expressed gratitude to the President for creating the region he and his people have demanded for many years.
“We said we wanted our own region, we had knocked on all doors, sent petitions to wherever it is required, way before I was born. But when the President came, he checked the books and agreed with us that indeed we need our own region. Only Akufo-Addo will do this for us. We are grateful,” he added.
The chief bemoaned the terrible state of roads in that part of the country, which is known for cocoa production.
“Over the years, I can guarantee that no matter the number of years you wish to be President, we will help you to achieve that.”
Political Violence
President Akufo-Addo said the cycle of politically related violence and vigilantism in Sankore in the Asunafo South Constituency of the Ahafo Region would soon end.
His assurance is steeped in the current introduction of Vigilantism and Related Offences Bill to Parliament, which when passed, would effectively deal with those flouting the law across the country.
“The Bill, when passed, will ensure that not only the people who are inciting the violence will be punished, but also the powerful people behind them will face the full extent of the law.”
The President presented eight vehicles to the Ahafo Regional Coordinating Council during the two-day tour of the newly created region.
He also cut the sod for the construction of the Regional Coordinating Council building.
President Akufo-Addo also inspected the brick and tile factory under the ‘One District, One Factory’ programme at Tanoso in the Tano North District.
The factory, Rhovanni Royal Limited, would employ about 1,800 youth from the area and has the capacity to produce 125 tons of clay products per day.
The Chief Executive Officer of the company, Carl Loko, briefed the President on the progress of work so far and assured him that production would begin in November.
By Daniel Yao Dayee, Sankore, DGN
