President Akufo-Addo laying a wreath on the tomb of Paa Grant
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Tuesday laid a wreath in honour of George Paa Grant at Axim in the Nzema East municipality of the Western Region.
He placed the wreath on the tomb of Paa Grant to honour him for his immense role in the struggle for Ghana’s independence.
The wreath laying formed part of the programmes of President Akufo-Addo, who was in the Western Region for a three-day official visit.
Paa Grant, a Gold Coast merchant, contributed significantly to the nation’s development in diverse ways.
Although Paa Grant was a businessman, he was worried about the country’s political fortunes.
He remained the main financier of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) – the first political movement – and it was he who sent money to Dr Kwame Nkrumah to come back to the Gold Coast and be appointed as the General Secretary of the UGCC, after he had been recommended to the Convention by Ako Adjei.
Addressing the chiefs and people of Axim Victoria, Nana Addo said his government would give a face-lift to the hometown of Paa Grant – Axim.
According to him, the nation has money but its citizens are hungry because of bad leadership and stressed that his government was on course to reviving the country’s economy to better the lives of Ghanaians.
Nana Addo re-echoed his ‘One District, One Factory’ policy, which he indicated, would create more jobs for the people. He also told the people with a lot of emphasis that the Free SHS policy would be implemented next month.
President Akufo-Addo gave the assurance that his government would manage prudently Ghana’s oil revenues to ensure that oil proceeds do not find their way into the pockets of a few persons, but used for the development of the country’s education.
“It is for this reason that a flagship programme of my government – the Free SHS policy – would commence in September, which would ensure that parents no longer bear the financial burden of taking their children to senior high school.
“I have been bastardised by several persons who claim the Free SHS policy is a misplaced priority, a lie, and cannot be done. The Free SHS policy, I wish to assure you, will start from September.”
The Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, Elizabeth Afole Quaye, urged fishermen in the area to speak with officials of her ministry when confronted with challenges rather than running to the media.
She indicated that her doors were always open to fisher folks, adding that they could also go to the regional ministers and the district chief executives (DCEs) when they have any challenges.
She promised to solve the problems associated with premix fuel allocation and encouraged the fishermen to adopt good fishing practices.
The Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Catherine Abelema Afeku, entreated the people to continue to support the government, which she said, is poised to develop the area.
Omanhene of Nsein Traditional Area, Awulae Gyefi Kwame, thanked the president for appointing a daughter of the area – Madam Afeku – as a cabinet  minister.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Axim