Nana Abram Akpanja VI, Paramount Chief of Jasikan
The Paramount Chief of the Jasikan Traditional Area, Nana Abram Akpanja VI, has acknowledged the achievements of President Akufo-Addo within the spate of two years of his rule.
“The people of Jasikan and, indeed, Ghanaians are not ignorant about the numerous achievements chalked within a record period of two years of being in office,” he stated.
President Akufo-Addo interacting with some of the Chiefs at the durbar at Jasikan
Reviewing the president’s achievements, the chief said, “The management of the Ghanaian economy under your leadership has led to a big drop in inflation rate to a single digit of 9%, whilst economic growth has doubled from about 3% to 6% in two years of your rule.”
Touching on the agricultural and services sector, he mentioned that they have recorded over 100% growth from what he inherited within the short time of his assumption of the country’s leadership.
The positive fallout from this development, he said, is a decline in interest rate, with the resultant creation of a better climate for business and growth.
The chief presented the heartwarming score sheet of President Akufo-Addo during his ongoing six-day visit to the newly created Oti, North East and Savannah regions yesterday.
Continuing, Nana Abram Akpanja VI added, “Under your regime, Ghana’s economic performance is on record as one of the best in Africa currently. Under your human capital programme, the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy has opened up immeasurable opportunities for more young Ghanaians.”
Oti Region
He thanked the president for being a “political midwife” who oversaw the safe and successful delivery of the Oti Region.
“We can never find the appropriate words to convey our joy, appreciation and gratitude to you (President Akufo-Addo) for making this half-a-century old dream of our people, including our ancestors, come true in our time.”
Tracing the demand for the creation of Oti Region, he said it all started in 1954 and became a reality under President Akufo-Addo.
“For this reason Buem, Biakoye, Sall, Jasikan will forever be grateful to Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and his government for demonstrating boldness and commitment to principle, notwithstanding the strong, needless opposition against the Oti project by people who had always wished that we, in this part of Ghana, remained relatively less developed for reasons best known to them.”
President Akufo-Addo receiving a citation from the Queenmother of Jasikan
Although the wish for a regional capital status for Jasikan did not come to fruition, the chief said he is grateful nonetheless, especially against the backdrop of the president’s assurance of even development of the region.
The Jasikan chief pleaded with the president to site the planned Oti Regional Hospital at Worawora and University of ICT & Urban Planning at Jasikan.
According to him, “This would go a long way to compensate for the leadership role, efforts and expectations our people had invested towards the creation of the Oti Region.”
President Akufo-Addo announced that construction of the 54-kilometre Jasikan-Dodo Pepesu Eastern Corridor road would commence in July.
He presented a school bus and pick-up to the Ntruboman Senior High School (SHS) in fulfillment of a pledge he made to the school.
He cut the sod for the construction of the 12-kilometre Kpassa-Mama Akura road, as well as a classroom and dormitory at Nkwanta SHS.
He later attended a durbar of the chiefs and people of Nkwanta South and Nkwanta North.
The Minister for Regional Reorganisation, Dan Kweku Botwe, advised the people to remain united and support managers of the new region to deliver the development they desire.
Regional Minister for Oti, Kwasi Owusu Yeboah, and his deputy Maxwell Blagogee, pledged to lead the socio-economic development of the region.
Accompanying the president on the trip were the Senior Minister, Yaw Osafo-Maafo, Roads and Highways Minister, Kwasi Amoako-Atta, Deputy Volta Regional Minister, Johnson Avuletey, among others.
From Fred Duodu, Jasikan