– President Akufo Addo Cautions
President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, has cautioned political leaders not to make claims of completion of projects they have not executed as it amounts to a deliberate attempt to mislead the Ghanaian people.
Addressing a delegation of the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs at the Jubilee House, when they paid a courtesy call on him, President Akufo Addo said before he began his presidency, he was told by his principal competitor that he had done all the roads in the country in what he called “unprecedented infrastructural development” and yet everywhere he has gone as President, the issue of roads has been raised as a principal concern by chiefs and traditional leaders.
“It is not good for us politicians to be
misleading the people. If you have not done something, don’t claim it, don’t
write it in your book, don’t make pronouncements on it. The people themselves
can tell the truth of what is going on,” the President said.
“I think it is important that we the political leaders of the country
exercise some sense of responsibility when we are making some of these
claims,” the President added.
The leader of the delegation, Tumu Kuoro and President of the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs, Kuoro Babini Kanton VI, in his address identified some major issues that are of concern to the Upper West Region. The traditional leaders, among others, asked the President to facilitate the passage of the University for Development Studies’ autonomous campuses bill into law as a matter of urgency; ensure that students admission for 2019/2020 academic year be decentralized to the three (3) autonomous campuses as announced by the President during the last Congregation of the University of Tamale. They also beseeched the President to help facilitate the appointment of acting officers to include, for example, Vice Chancellor, Registrar, Directors of Finance etc, from among qualified employees on the new university in WA for at least a one year duration following the appointment of substantive officers as well as an Interim Governing Council of the University.
The Chiefs also requested the President to assist them in ensuring that the Wa Regional Hospital is completed. This they said will help minimize referral of cases from the region to facilities outside the region. The final concern of the delegation was a call for the fast-tacking of the operation of commercial flights to and from the Upper West Region to ease movement of travellers to the region. President Akufo Addo, welcomed all the concerns and suggestions put forward by the delegation and assured them that it will all be given the necessary attention by his office as well as all other relevant state institutions that may be concerned in dealing with the issues raised.
The twenty eight (28) member delegation of the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs who called on the President included Kuoro Richard Babini Kanton VI, Tumu Kuoro, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the House; Naa Dikomwine Domalae, Daffiama Naa, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the House. Kuoro Kuri-Buktie Limann IV, Gwollu Kuoro; Naa Sohimininye Danah Gore II, Dorimon Naa; Naa Puowele Karbo III, Lawra Naa; Naa Fuseini Seidu Pelpuo IV, Wa Naa; Naa Seidu Braimah Nubalanaang, G Naa; Naa Pagranege Sakoe Mornah III, Sankana Naa and Naa Widaana-nanga II, Takpo Naa, are all member of the Standing Committee of the House. The delegation also included Pognaa Junstina Davoro, Bussie Pognaa and Pognaa Hajia Adisah Bayong Nawong, Ullo Pognaa and seventeen (17) supporting staff of the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs.
