“On behalf of the Chiefs of Dambai, I want to welcome you to Dambai, in Krachi East. The Chiefs of Dambai have been supporters of the Danquah-Dombo-Busia political tradition over years. The hope and love we have for the NPP is special. We want to tell him (Akufo-Addo) that all the Chiefs of Dambai are in full support of his candidature.”
These were the words of Nana Odam Gyamfi III, Paramount Chief of Akroso Asukawkaw Traditional Area, at a durbar held in honour of the 2016 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Akufo-Addo, when he toured the Krachi East constituency, on Tuesday, October 25, 2016.
According to the Dambai Chief, “all the Chiefs from Dambai to Asukawkaw support NPP. If some people have tagged us as being NPP sympathisers, then we might as well officially declare our stance and support for the party.”
Outlining the needs of his the people of Krachi East, Nana Odam Gyamfi III appealed to the NPP flagbearer, when he wins this year’s elections, to construct a District Hospital for Dambai, explaining that because of their perceived support for the NPP, they have been left out of the construction of the hospital.
“Again, parents are suffering. They can no longer afford to pay the fees of their wards, especially of those who have gained admission into nursing and teacher training institutions, because of the cancellation of the allowances. Nana, when you get into Jubilee House, please restore these allowances. When you do, I can assure that the NPP will be in office for a long time,” he stressed.
Just like the scenario presented to the NPP flagbearer in Biakoye, Nana Odam Gyamfi III lamented about the cessation of compensation payments to residents of Dambai, who as a result of the construction of the Volta Lake have lost their lands.
The compensation, according to the Dambai Chief, was halted by President Mahama.
“NPP began the payments of the compensation to us. The late President Mills continued the payments, but, under President Mahama, it has stopped. We are appealing to you to, please, restore these payments to us when you get into office,” he said.
In concluding, Nana Odam Gyamfi III assured Nana Akufo-Addo that “we are confident that change is coming. Your victory has already been sealed in Heaven. We pray for God’s strength, wisdom and guidance for you.”
On his part, Nana Akufo-Addo thanked the Chiefs and people of Dambai for the warm welcome they have afforded him on his visit to the constituency.
According to Nana Akufo-Addo, it was under President Kufuor’s tenure of office that the contract for the construction of the Dambai-Asukawkaw and Dambai town roads was awarded. The contract, the NPP flagbearer explained, comprised the construction of the 63 kilometre Dambai-Asukawkaw road, and 7 kiliometre Dambai town roads.
“With one mobilization, the contractor was to have constructed all these roads. However, President Mahama has taken out the construction of the Dambai town roads out of the original contract. When I come into office, I am going to continue what Kufuor started and construct the Dambai town roads,” he assured.
He continued, “Again, it was President Kufuor who began the payment compensation to residents whose lands were submerged as a result of the construction of the Volta Lake. President Mahama has cancelled it. I want to assure you that when I come into office, I am coming to continue Kufuor’s policy of paying compensation to affected residents.”
Nana Akufo-Addo, thus, appealed for the unalloyed and unflinching support of the people of Dambai and Krachi East, stressing that “I am coming into office to use the little wisdom and knowledge God has given me to do a job for all Ghanaians, without discrimination.”
He also urged them to vote for the NPP’s parliamentary candidate for Krachi East, Michael Yaw Gyato, who was once a former District Chief Executive for Krachi East under President Kufuor.