NPP will establish Zongo Development Fund —Nana Akufo-Addo
The 2016 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has consoled victims of an explosion at a quarry site at Adoagyiri in the Eastern Region, which claimed the life of one person, critically injured 13 others and displaced hundreds within the Sabon Electoral Area.
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Accompanied by party stalwarts from the region on Wednesday, January 13, 2016, Nana Akufo-Addo visited the site of the explosion after which he, together with the MP for Nsawam/Adoagyiri, Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh; Eastern Regional NPP Executives and Members of Parliament, made a donation of 250 bags of cement, 400 pieces of roofing sheets and an undisclosed amount to the victims of the explosion.
It will be recalled that on December 23, 2015, an explosion occurred at a quarry site at Adoagyiri, which, according to police investigators, was caused by the presence of explosive materials in containers at the site. In addition to the loss of life and injuries to some persons, properties worth millions of Ghana cedis in nearby communities were also destroyed.
The NPP presidential candidate explained that in the aftermath of the explosion, he deemed it important to assess at firsthand the extent of destruction, and also see what he, together with the party, could do to help assuage the pain and suffering of the victims.
Nana Akufo-Addo urged those in charge of the distribution of the items to ensure that all the victims affected by the tragedy were presented with their share.
With this year’s elections some 10 months away, Nana Akufo-Addo admonished the electorate “to use this opportunity given to them by God to remove this incompetent government and vote in an NPP government which is coming to improve the lives of Ghanaians.”
Change fortunes
To the gathering, he said: “I want you to trust me. I am humbly asking Ghanaians to give me and the NPP the chance to implement the good plans we have for this country. We are going to change the fortunes of our country, and bring about prosperity for all and jobs for our youth, so our young people can live lives of dignity.”
The MP for the area, Mr Annoh-Dompreh, Nana Akufo-Addo noted, had, in his period of being in Parliament, done tremendous amount of work for the constituency. To this end, he asked the electorate to “vote for the Elephant in 2016, and return Mr Annoh-Dompreh as MP and vote Akufo-Addo as President.”
The NPP presidential candidate also reiterated his commitment towards the setting up of a “Zongo Development Fund” aimed solely at solving basic infrastructure problems existing in Zongo communities across the country.
“In 2012, I stated that if God gave me the opportunity to lead this country, I was going to implement something never witnessed in our history. I said that an NPP government was going to manage prudently our economy in such a way that we would have the funds to establish a Zongo Development Fund. I still stand by this promise and when, by the Grace of God, I win the 2016 election, I will establish the fund to address the development needs of all Zongo communities across the country,” he added.
Visit to Adoagyiri Chief
Prior to his visit to the site, Nana Akufo-Addo paid a courtesy call on the Chief of Adoagyiri and Ankobeahene of Akyem Kotoku Traditional Area, Okoanadwo Afutu Dompreh II, to inform him about his mission to the town.
Elated by Nana Akufo-Addo’s presence in his constituency, Okoanadwo Dompreh told the gathering, made up of Chiefs and people of Adoagyiri, that “Nana Akufo-Addo didn't sit at home and say to himself that ‘this is an Adoagyiri problem, so I won’t be bothered’. He has come to sympathise with us, and for that we will always be grateful to him.”
He continued, “I am overwhelmed by your gesture. You have shown the people of Adoagyiri that you have them at heart. Come election time, we will make sure we also have you in our hearts. We will make sure that the people of Adoagyiri, in 2016, vote for you and for Mr Annoh Dompreh. We will continuously pray for strength and wisdom for you.”
Nana Akufo-Addo also called on the Sarkin Zongo of Adoagyiri, Abdul Majeed Yakubu, before leaving for the site of the explosion.
The NPP presidential candidate was accompanied, among others, by the MP for Adoagyiri Nsawam, Mr Annoh-Dompreh; Kinston Akomeng Kissi, Eastern Regional NPP Chairman; Mr Dan Kwaku Botwe, MP for Okere and Campaign Strategist for the NPP's 2016 campaign; and 1st Vice NPP Chairman for Adoagyiri, Nana Denkyi Aweri.