Assemble qualified team to address challenges - Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs to Mahama

The Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs has urged President John Dramani Mahama to assemble a team of highly qualified and successful leaders capable of driving the nation’s change agenda and addressing the urgent task of rebuilding the country.

It stated that the Ghanaian economy was in dire straits and required restructuring through the appointment of the right personnel and the implementation of effective policies to revive it.

While acknowledging the scale of the challenge, the House emphasised that bold and decisive actions were required to get the country back on track, particularly in the areas of job creation and economic recovery.

Speaking at a press conference in Nungua, Accra, last Friday, the President of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs, Oboade Notse King Odaifio Welentsi III, expressed the commitment of traditional leaders to support government policies that aligned with the country’s core values.

"We recognise that the task ahead is enormous but if we are to restore our country to its rightful path, we must act boldly and ambitiously. The people of this nation expect nothing less from us.

"We understand that this is a painful and difficult time, especially for workers, families, pensioners and young people.

Therefore, we believe that austerity is not a sustainable approach, and we advocate a debt relief mechanism that would give institutions and businesses the opportunity to revive growth and start creating jobs again.

"We are confident that the right policies will prevail, as both industries and the government share the same goal: a healthy and vibrant Ghanaian economy. We are a strong nation, with strong people," he stated.

National unity

King Welentsi III, also the Paramount Chief of the Nungua Traditional Council, emphasised that the will of the Ghanaian people, expressed through the election of their leaders and active participation in local communities, was crucial to the nation’s healing and progress.

"The will of the Ghanaian people indicated through our choice of elected leaders and our ongoing vigorous participation in our local communities, is a necessary beginning of the healing our country needs.

"We are calling for national unity and the setting aside of differences to work towards a common goal. As traditional leaders, our advice to the government is to ensure diversity in staffing.

Appointments should be made from various political factions to foster an inclusive government that reflects the unity of our nation: one people with one destiny," he said.

"We must see each other as fellow Ghanaians on the same journey to make this country a better nation for ourselves and our children. We can't afford to hate each other. We can't afford to refer to each other as deplorable."

Inclusivity

The Nungua Chief further called for the inclusion of women, youth and minorities, urging that their energy and idealism be harnessed for the nation’s progress.

"We believe that it is important for all of us regardless of party and regardless of political preferences to now come together and work together to deal with the many challenges that we face as a country," he said.

"We want to see an economy that works for all of us, not just the one per cent, and advances new trade policies that create Ghanaian jobs or seek to rebuild the country's infrastructure," he asserted.

Constructive opposition

While calling on the government to accord everyone the consideration they deserved, the Nungua Mantse also urged opposition parties to offer constructive suggestions that will contribute to the success and well-being of the entire country.

"We can't afford to put down Ghanaians who are in opposition. We must overcome our political differences and find common ground.

"In the same vein, we expect the opposition to do all they can to support the government’s success, because when the government succeeds, the country succeeds. It is time for Ghana to heal the wounds of division," the Greater Accra House of Chiefs President stated.