Simon Osei Mensah, Ashanti Regional Minister
THE ASHANTI Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah, has vehemently debunked rumours making the rounds that he has threatened to ban head porters from operating in Kumasi.
He stated that there is no iota of truth in the wild allegation therefore the Kumasi head porters also known as ‘Kayayei,’ should not feel threatened.
According to him, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government has plans of making life better and comfortable for head porters “so they should not panic.”
It was mentioned during the minister’s vetting that he had said he would not allow the youth from the Northern Regions to migrate to Kumasi to work as head porters.
The statement is said to have sparked tension and anxiety among hundreds of kayayei who ply their trade in the Ashanti Regional capital.
Tension is also said to be mounting on one Adiza Zongo Pioneer, President of the Head Porters’ Association and staunch member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
They are said to have blamed Adiza Zongo Pioneer who convinced most of them to vote for the NPP to improve their lives.
Mr Osei Mensah, setting the records straight, said he only called for massive support for the NPP’s ‘One District, One Factory’ campaign promise.
He explained that constructing factories in the districts would help provide jobs and prevent the youth from migrating to other areas in search of jobs.
The Ashanti Regional Minister expressed concern about the dangers that the youth expose their lives to whilst migrating to other areas for unavailable jobs.
Speaking on Hello fm in Kumasi, he stated that he did not say anything like preventing the head porters from working in the region when he was being vetted.
Osei Mensah also said he would work tirelessly and seek the support of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu and Nananom to rebrand the Asante culture.
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi