The Paramount Chief of Nsein Traditional Area, Awulae Agyefi Kwame II, has described the last term of the administration of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as a disaster to the Western Region.
According to him, the last four years of the current government have not been fair to the Western Region in terms of appointments, and development of infrastructure despite the contribution being made by the region in terms of natural and human resources to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country.
Addressing his sub-chiefs on Monday bordering on issues of governance, the outspoken traditional ruler pointed out in plain words his anger about maltreatment from the government towards the chiefs and people of the Western Region, known as the hen that is laying the golden eggs for the country.
“Seeing all over, it’s as clear as daylight. The failure of the government on the side of this Western Region, simply put, four more for Nana (Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo) has been a disaster to the Western Region.
He said President Akufo-Addo who had tremendous support from the region, following massive votes obtained from the electorates, has betrayed them.
Explaining why he feels the administration has not been fair to Western Region, the oldest traditional ruler in Western Region said the region has been seriously neglected in terms of road infrastructure, appointments, and decision-making.
On cabinet position and decision-making, he said the region has not been factored into account, hence the decision not to have anyone from the region appointed to a cabinet position.
“The voice of Western Region is not heard in Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s government,” he said.
Consequently, he called on the people of the Western Region, to rise up and point out to President Akufo-Addo and his government that enough is enough.
According to the vociferous Chief “Whoever takes over from Akufo-Addo’s government, would do worse than him if Western Region remains quiet.”:
He further urged that traditional rulers in the region must wake up and make their voices count now.
” As traditional rulers, if we don’t rise up and speak and draw the attention of the government to our challenges, they will not recognize or feel our anger, frustration, and pain”
He said virtually all road infrastructure projects initiated by the government have either been abandoned or have been pending, and have never been completed.
“As traditional rulers, we must demand that we want to see action,” he emphasized
To this end, he said the chiefs in the region will want to know the person serving as a cabinet representative for the region else the Western Region will not sleep again but will fight to gain what is due them.
For Awulae Agyefi Kwame II, no government under various republics has underperformed in terms of road infrastructure like the administration of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
As traditional rulers, he said they are very disappointed in the leadership style of President Nana Addo hence the decision to wear funeral clothes to demand accountability and fairness in the sharing of the national cake.
This, he underscored, has become necessary for all traditional rulers, queen mothers, and all stakeholders in the region following the disappointment recorded over the last seven years.
He appealed to the stakeholders to stand up and be counted in the fight against injustice and demand what is due the region.
He noted that the region through the chieftaincy institution has always made known the position of the people on matters of national interest when the country elects a new president.
He said the traditional rulers would always make known the significance of road infrastructure, followed by health and other important matters affecting development and the region
As custodians of the region, he revealed, that the chiefs also lobby governments to secure positions for sons and daughters of the region under all administrations.
But, unfortunately, he said under the administration of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, they didn’t succeed, because, he disrespected the chiefs and therefore refused to attend to any of their demands.
“Right from the era of CPP till date, I have seen and witnessed various governments and their performances, but it appears clearly, that the administration of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is the worst in terms of development and management of our roads ”
In his concluding remarks, he called on the chiefs and people of the region to be bold to speak truth to power
“Cowards die many times before their deaths,” he exclaimed.
By: Zambaga Rufai Saminu | Metrotvonline.com | Ghana
