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I’ll complete all unfinished NPP projects — Mahama assures
I’ll complete all unfinished NPP projects — Mahama assures
byLeticia Osei September 18, 2023 Reading Time: 2 mins read
Former President John Mahama (middle) interacting with Sheikh Usmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, the National Chief Imam. With them is Emmanuel Nii Ashie Moore, NDC Greater Accra Regional Chairman
Former President and the flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has vowed to complete all unfinished projects, including those initiated by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, should he be elected in 2024.
He said the NDC was a patriotic and well-meaning political party that believed in the spirit of continuity and was determined not to waste the resources of taxpaying citizens.
“I’m making a promise that when we come, we will continue all abandoned projects.
Even projects that this current NPP government does not finish, we will continue and finish because they are funded by taxpayers’ money, so when you abandon them, you’re wasting the money of Ghanaians,” he said.
The former President said this on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at the NDC Greater Accra Regional Zongo Caucus Stakeholders Forum in Accra.
The forum brought together representatives of various Zongo and Muslim sects and institutions within and outside the party to share their experiences and discuss topics of mutual interest to create social connections and a sense of community.
One notable personality at the forum was the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Usmanu Nuhu Sharubutu.
Mr Mahama made the promise after accusing the current administration of neglecting landmark projects that his party started, particularly in Zongo communities, before leaving office in 2016.
“When we were sharing the E-Blocks, several of them were allocated to the Zongo and Muslim communities but many of those schools have been abandoned. We have done a lot in our Zongos but we are not the type who come with a paper and read. Our people can see for themselves the work the NDC did when we were in office,” he stressed.
Mr Mahama expressed his gratitude for the immense support his party had been enjoying from the Zongo communities and Islamic fraternity over the years and pledged to never take it for granted.
In this regard, he said the party would continue to collaborate and engage them periodically in order to capture grievances and concerns and work towards addressing them.
“We appreciate that support and that’s why anytime we come to power, we try to make sure that when we are sharing the National cake and development, the Zongos get their fair share,” the 2024 NDC flag bearer added.
He used the opportunity to urge all citizens who had come of age to participate in the ongoing limited voter registration and equally exhorted the officials in charge to desist from discriminatory practices against persons they perceived not to be Ghanaians mainly based on their names.
“Everybody came from somewhere and that is why Ghana is a strong nation.
We are united in our diversity and cultures so we must know that we are all Ghanaians and have equal rights to be recognised as such,” the former President said.
Goal
The NDC Greater Accra Regional Zongo Caucus Coordinator, Ismaila Ali Horoya, said the caucus organised the forum because it recognised the immense potential within the neighbourhoods and it was a collective responsibility of all members to harness that potential and provide opportunities for the Muslim youth.
The NDC Greater Accra Regional Chairman, Emmanuel Nii Ashie Moore, called for greater unity within the party as it prepared for the upcoming elections and called on all to rally behind the regional chapter’s “Agenda 25” and added that “Greater Accra will strive to add 500,000 votes to the total votes.
Credit: Graphic.com.gh
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ASWIM lauds Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang
The Association of Women in the Media, (ASWIM) has congratulated Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her historic achievement as Ghana’s first female Vice President.
The association said her trailblazing journey with sterling accomplishments from academia to politics, is undoubtedly, a vivid inspiration to countless women and girls across Ghana and Africa.
This was contained in a statement signed by its president, Mrs Mavis Kitcher, and copied to The Spectator on Tuesday in Accra.
“ASWIM celebrates your remarkable career, marked by numerous firsts, including the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, (UCC), and the first female to hold a professional chair in Ghana, (UCC),” the statement said.
It said the accomplishments of Prof Opoku- Agyemang were clear testament to the brilliance, resilience and resourceful nature of the complete beautiful African woman.
“As she takes on this new role, ASWIM proudly lauds her commitment to education, women’s empowerment, distinguished public service and patriotism and is very confident that her pursuit of excellence, love for humanity, humility, decency, modesty and commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable will characterise Ghana’s political leadership and public service,” the statement added.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
Entertainment
Demolition of Fantasy Dome unfair — Mark Okraku-Mantey
Months after the Fantasy Dome was dismantled to make way for construction at the Ghana International Trade Fair site, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Mark Okraku-Mantey, has expressed concern over the manner the facility was destroyed.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Mr Okraku-Mantey criticised the handling of the dome’s dismantling, suggesting that it could have been done without causing damage.
“I don’t think that leadership gave instructions that they should do what happened. The structure was a prefab but I hear the people destroyed it. That one, we cannot defend it. It is unfair to him (owner). Sometimes, you give instructions and people will go and do things that will make you look bad,” he stated.
When asked about any punitive measure against the workers responsible for the destruction, Mr Okraku-Mantey clarified that the Trade Fair does not fall under his ministry.
He said he had previously contacted the owner, Leslie Quaynor, to discuss relocating the dome, and even suggested the National Museum as a potential site, though it was too small.
The demolition of the 20,000-seater Fantasy Dome occurred on March 16, 2024.
According to Dr Agnes Adu, CEO of the Ghana Trade Fair Company Limited, the action was taken after multiple notices were given to Quaynor to vacate the premises for redevelopment, as per their tenancy agreement.
Dr Adu noted that all previous tenants had complied except for the Fantasy Dome.
Quaynor, in an interview with JoyNews, confirmed that his lease had ended, and was in the process of relocating the dome.
He had requested an extension, which was denied, leading him to seek a writ and an injunction from an Accra High Court to halt the demolition.
Despite this, the demolition proceeded, causing significant damage to the structure.
Quaynor described the incident as a major setback, not only for his business but also for the entertainment industry, which relies on venues like the Fantasy Dome.
