Dr Mahama campaigns in Akosombo, Aburi
The Presidential Candidate of the People's National Convention (PNC), Dr Edward Nasigre Mahama, yesterday took the last day of his campaign to towns in Akosombo and Aburi where he underscored the need for the nation to put traditional rulers on the government’s payroll to promote rural development.
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"The traditional rulers were in charge of our governance system before independence. Unfortunately, after independence, the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary have taken over and are enjoying salaries as well. Traditional rulers have been left behind despite the fact that taxes have been collected from their markets and precious minerals have been mined from their land, but they have received paltry amounts as royalties," he said.
In view of the strategic importance of chiefs in the governance of the country, Dr Mahama pledged to put chiefs on the government payroll when he was voted as President on December 7, 2016.
According to him, paying the chiefs would also help to address the issue of corruption and boost rural development.
Dr Mahama stated that he intended to strengthen chiefs and ensure that they occupied a second chamber "to continue to give wisdom to politicians".
He said the chiefs who controlled the lands and people would be merged with the Council of State to form a second chamber of authority in the country’s governance structure.
A case for Presidency
Making a case for voters to vote for him as President, Dr Mahama said he was offering himself as a servant to deliver Ghanaians from dependency syndrome.
He said Ghana was not making use of its natural resources such as cocoa, shea nuts and other cash crops, adding that his administration would make the best of those resources to stem the urban-rural migration by opening up the rural areas.
He bemoaned the state of some of the cities such as Accra where gutters were often choked and some areas were prone to floods and fire disasters.
Great visions
Introducing Dr Mahama to the chiefs in different towns where he visited, the Campaign Director of the PNC, Rev. Samuel Adjei, said the flag bearer of the PNC deserved the support of the people to become the President of the country because of his great plans and vision for Ghana.
He mentioned the GETFund, School Feeding Programme and National Health Insurance Scheme as some of the policies from his stable.
The acting President of the Akwamu Traditional Council, Osuogyasono Yaw Boadu IV, who spoke on behalf of the chiefs, said Dr Mahama was a man of distinction who had helped to shape the country in diverse ways.
Rural development
For his part, Major Ibrahim Rida (retd), a member of Dr Mahama's entourage, said Ghana needed to develop its rural areas hence the necessity for them to vote for Dr Mahama since he had plans to enhance rural development.