President Mahama defends choice of Dr Daannaa
President John Dramani Mahama has defended his nomination of Dr H.S. Daannaa, who is visually impaired, for the position of the Minister of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs.
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He said Dr Daannaa was one of the legal practitioners with a deep understanding of the chieftaincy institution and the laws governing it.
Besides, he said, the nomination of Dr Daannaa to a ministerial position would serve as a morale booster to the physically challenged people to aspire for high positions in society.
President Mahama justified his nomination when members of the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs called on him at the Castle, Osu, Wednesday.
Also at the Castle was a 21-member delegation from the Asanteman Council led by the Mamponghene, Daasebre Osei Bonsu II.
Members of the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs and the Asanteman Council were at the Castle to congratulate President Mahama and Vice-President Paa Kwesi Bekoe Amissah Arthur on their victory in the December 7, 2012 election.
Some chiefs have raised concern about the appointment of Dr Daannaa as the Minister of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs.
They argued that some aspects of the tradition and customs in some traditional areas did not allow the physically-challenged to hold such high offices.
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That position was, however, countered by the National House of Chiefs (NHC), which had endorsed the nomination of Dr Daannaa and expressed the hope that the Appointments Committee would vet and approve his nomination for endorsement by Parliament.
President Mahama said he knew Dr Daannaa several years ago when he (Dr Daannaa) was at the Ghana School of Law, and indicated that he was the first visually impaired person to gain admission to the school.
He added that Dr Daannaa was one of the school’s best graduates.
“He has high personal capacity in terms of intellect capacity to deliver. He is one of the legal people who have good understanding of the chieftaincy institution and the laws governing it”, he said.
The President gave the assurance that the government would support Dr Daannaa with the necessary facilities, including the acquisition of braille, to help him read Cabinet documents.
“I hope that he will stand out as one of the best ministers,” he said.
President Mahama said the separation of culture from the Ministry of Chieftaincy was to give the ministry a better focus on issues of chieftaincy and traditional affairs.
He indicated that the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs would be well-resourced and funded to cater for the needs of chiefs.
Touching on his new direction, President Mahama affirmed his resolve to work with all Ghanaians, irrespective of their ethnic, political or religious affiliations for the development of the country.
Again, President Mahama said, every citizen would be given the opportunity to benefit from the nation’s resources, saying that “all of us are Ghanaians first and foremost.”
He, therefore, asked Ghanaians to put the election behind them and “rally together to build the nation that we can be proud of.”
The President said the cardinal principle of his administration was to maintain peace and security in the country.
Besides, he said, the government would continue to uphold Ghana’s democracy to enhance the country’s image as a beacon of democracy and constitutional governance in the West Africa sub-region.
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On developments in the Brong Ahafo Region, President Mahama said that region was one of the nation’s food baskets so the government would increase support to farmers in the area and continue with the development of roads and the extension of electricity and water there.
He also said the area would also benefit from health care and school facilities.
President Mahama sent special greetings to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and wished him long life.
He thanked the Asantehene and all other chiefs for their good counsel during the election, which had helped to maintain peace in the country.
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The President gave the assurance that every part of the country would receive its fair share of the national cake.
Pemampem Yaw Kagbrese V, President of the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs, said although one of the chiefs in their area had voiced his opposition against the nomination of Dr Daannaa, the Brong Ahafo Regional House of Chiefs had endorsed the nomination.
“By this appointment, you have demonstrated care and belief in the physically challenged in terms of their contribution to national development.
“His appointment will serve as a morale booster to the physically challenged and open the door for others to emulate,” he said.
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Pemampem Kagbrese said until his nomination, Dr Daannaa was a staff member of the Chieftaincy Ministry “and everyone will bear testimony to his excellent work.” He therefore expressed the hope that Dr Daannaa would excel in his new office.
Pemampem Kagbrese commended President Mahama for demonstrating good faith in the country’s democratic process.
He congratulated all the presidential candidates, the Electoral Commission (EC), security agencies, the electorate, the media and local and foreign observers for their roles in ensuring a successfuelection.
Daasebre Osei Bonsu II, who conveyed a special message from the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to President Mahama, said the Asantehene “welcomes you to the seat of government and extends his deepest congratulation to you, having won the election successfully.”
He assured President Mahama that the Asantehene had pledged to support his government. That pledge, he said, was in keeping with the cardinal principle of Asanteman.
Daasebre Osei Bonsu urged President Mahama to reach out to all Ghanaians, irrespective of their political affiliations, to ensure the development of the country.
Story by Musah Yahaya Jafaru