The First Lady, Mrs. Lordina Mahama at the weekend called for an
effective collaboration between chiefs and the security agencies to
sustain national stability towards election 2012.
She emphasised that as the embodiment of the people, the role of
chiefs is paramount in peace building since most Ghanaians hold
them in high esteem.
Addressing a durbar of the chiefs and people of Nkoranza to climax
the Munufie Kese Festival, Mrs Mahama noted that views of chiefs
have influence on their communities whilst their opinions are well
respected.
This year’s celebration coincided with the 25th anniversary
celebration of the enstoolment of Okatakyie Agyeman Kudom IV,
Paramount Chief of Nkoranza.
It is a period for the purification of the various stools and
insignia of the State, which are the embodiment of
Nkoranzaman.
The festival was attended by thousands of indigenes of Nkoranza
from all walks of life to prepare and strengthen them for the
challenges and opportunities of the ensuing year and formally
permit the eating of the new yam planted during the preceding
farming season.
Mrs Mahama, who is an inhabitant of Nkoranza, told the chiefs that
although they are barred from active partisan politics; it does not
that they should remain unconcerned when political parties engage
in activities that could jeopardise national stability especially
in the heat of the electioneering.
She appealed to the people to support President John Dramani Mahama
and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to retain power to
facilitate more development projects.
The First Lady explained that it is the desire of President Mahama
not only to promote quality education but also ensure that the
health needs of the people are achieved.
Mrs Mahama said 2013 is an action year where the citizenry would
witness tremendous improvement in their standard of living through
job creation and poverty reduction interventions.
She said all these would be a reality when the electorate vote for
the NDC and ensure that national peace is sustained before, during
and after the elections.
Mrs Mahama presented 260 laptops for distribution among students in
the traditional area and additional 40 computers for a new ICT
centre she had built for the people.
In addition, she presented alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
and GH¢5,000 cash to support the celebration.
Mrs Cecilia Johnson, Member of the Council of State who represented
President Mahama emphasised that Government would not tolerate
individuals and groups whose activities could cause tension in
Election 2012.
She advised the political parties to adhere to the electoral laws
and conduct their campaigns based on development issues.
Mrs Johnson advised chiefs to take the responsibility to sensitise
their people on the need for national peace as the government had
directed the security agencies not to deal leniently with trouble
makers.
Mr. Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister called on
the people to play their part at peace building and sustenance as a
collective responsibility.
Okatakyie Kudom noted that political stability, expansion in
socio-economic infrastructure and the unity in development that the
traditional area had enjoyed for the past years was
unprecedented.
He said road network, education and agriculture had all increased
and improved but added that the two major roads connecting Nkoranza
to Jema Nkwanta and Nkoranza-Abease-Atebubu needed immediate
attention.
Okatakyie Kudom emphasised that Ghanaians have no other place to
run to when politics of insults and violence destabilised the
country.
He entreated the citizenry to collectively and jealously protect
the prevailing peace in the country to achieve the objective of
development in unity.
