By Adu Koranteng
The United States Senate Majority Whip, James Enos Clyburn, has described Member of Parliament for Ablekuma South, Honorable Dr. Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije as a honest and reliable leader whose loyalty to mankind and service to country is helping to promote and sustain democracy in Ghana.
James Clyburn made this known in Accra when a special delegation of the US senate led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Ghana’s Parliament. The high powered delegation was in Ghana to participate in the 400th year remembrance of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade which first began in Ghana in the 18th century. The event was celebrated under the theme, “The Year of Return”. Senator Clyburn acknowledged Hon .DR. Okoe Vanderpuije as a progressive fellow whose interest in life is working towards transforming and improving the lives of the ordinary and poor people of Ghana. “I am not surprised you are a member of Ghana’s legislation because you have all the leadership qualities to be one”. He said
Senator Clyburn said Ghana, as well as Africa needs leaders like Hon. Dr. Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije to promote development and transform the lives of the people.
“I am happy seeing you here in Ghana’s parliament. This gives me hope that you will rise further in your political career and continue to better the lives of your people. I can feel you are doing a good job here and God bless you. “James Clyburn pledged his full support for the Hon.Okoe Vanderpuije to enable him continue to transform and change lives anytime he calls on him.
Welcoming senator Clyburn, Hon. Dr Okoe Vanderpuije said he would continue to work further to promote the wellbeing of his constituents and the people of Ghana. “I am in Parliament to help sustain our democracy, promote human rights and improve the livelihood and wellbeing of the people of Ghana and I will continue doing this with all my strength”.
Senator James Clyburn, Majority Chief Whip in the US senate is the third ranking democrat in the United States House of Representatives from his humble beginnings in South Carolina.
James Clyburn has represented South Carolina’s sixth district in the US House of Representatives since 1993 and currently serves as assistant democratic leader of the house. He is the second African American and the first Carolinian to serve as majority whip between 2007 and 2019.
Hon. Dr Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije on the other, is one of the best politicians and statesmen in Ghana whose contribution to environmental development, education, waste management and human resource development is well known and recognized by the good people of Ghana. He is regarded as a very popular politician and Member of Parliament whose leadership role in politics goes beyond partisanship to statesmanship.
On the 30th of April 2015, Hon. Dr. Okoe Vanderpuije won the first inaugural edition of the prestigious president Jose Eduardo dos Santos Africa Best Mayor Award which had its focus on 7 major areas of sanitation, Education, Community upgrading, Transportation, Economic Empowerment and Beautification. The awards recognizes, celebrates and rewards city leaders who display exemplary qualities in leadership and vision, innovative thinking, management capabilities’ and integrity.
Hon. Dr. Okoe Vanderpuije goes all out to please the ordinary people. With a mixture of toughness and experience, he blends into a person with outstanding leadership qualities. He is the first African to be elected president of the world alliance of mayors. Prior to that he was chairman of the NDC south Carolina and Chicago chapters , founding member of the North American Coordinating Council of the NDC and the inter chapter coordinator of the NDC North American coordinating council .