Nana Akuoku Sarpong exchanging pleasantries with Obrempong Dr. Arafat Sulemana Abdulai
The Omanhene of Agogo Traditional Area, Nana Kwame Akuoku Sarpong, has conferred the title of “Obrempong” on the Chief Executive Officer of the Zongo Development Fund (ZoDF), Dr. Arafat Sulemana Abdulai.
The conferment of the traditional title, which means “a man of honour, authority, influence and power in a community”, elevates Dr. Abdulai to the important status of a member of Agogohene’s Traditional Council.
The conferment programme, was witnessed by an array of traditional rulers, sub-chiefs, Zongo Chiefs, Imams, citizens and subjects of Agogo at the Omanhene’s palace in Agogo on New Year’s Day.
Nana Akuoku Sarpong said the exemplary performance of Dr. Arafat Sulemana Abdulai in transforming the lives of residents of Agogo through the provision of social infrastructure, such as schools, community sports and recreational centre (astro turf), street lights and a 1.5 kilometre road at Agogo Zongo (Jesirekrom), made it incumbent on the Agogo Traditional Council to recognise, formalise and appreciate the hardworking Chief Executive of ZoDF.
He noted that the Agogo Traditional Area had prominent individuals who had held important positions, such as Ministers, Chief Executive Officers, High Commissioners and Ambassadors, but very few were able to attract transformative projects to Agogo, but Dr. Arafat had been exemplary in that direction.
Nana Akuoko Sarpong said he was yet to witness such impactful intervention by an individual in Agogo, in his ‘lifetime’, adding that the level of investment and the quality of work executed at the astro turf by the ZoDF was ‘substantial’.
Dr. Arafat thanked the Omanhene and the people of Agogo for the honour done him and also expressed gratitude to President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for giving him the opportunity to serve the country.
He pledged to continue to offer his best, through the ZoDF, to propel socio-economic development in Zongo communities in the country.
Dr. Arafat has been widely recognised for his immense leadership, commitment and dedication to Zongo communities. In 2020, the Ghana Leadership Awards (GLA) gave him the “CEO of the Year” award.
In December last year, the GLA conferred the prestigious “Ghana Order of Merit” award (overall winner) on Dr. Arafat in recognition of his selfless and relentless pursuit of development in Zongo communities. He also took the “Community Leadership” Award for his achievements in the advancement of education, health and economic empowerment in Zongo communities.
The ZoDF has completed over 200 projects in Zongos, while over 500 projects are at various stages of completion.