Ghana Election 2024: Western Region chiefs appeal to Mahama for development

Some traditional leaders in the Western Region have expressed disappointment and frustration over the current government's neglect of the region. 

In a passionate appeal to the National Democratic Congress (NDC’s) presidential candidate, John Dramani Mahama, who paid a courtesy call on the Western Regional House of Chiefs, the chiefs urged him to address the region's pressing issues should he become President in 2025.

The chiefs lamented the destruction of the region's natural resources, including forest reserves, saying the situation would have dire consequences for the nation.

They also expressed concern about the exploitation of their lands and the devastating effects of illegal mining, commonly called galamsey, as well as the lack of infrastructural development.

The Paramount Chief of the Essikado Traditional Area, Osaberima Kobina Nketia, who chaired the meeting, urged former President Mahama to come back and wake the nation up. 

“We have been sleeping since Independence; come back and wake us up,” he said.

The Chief of Nzema Lower Axim, Awulae Attobrokwa, said the region had not received its fair share of the national cake in the last eight years despite contributing so much to the development of the country.

"We contribute every resource to the development of this country but we get nothing in return," one chief said.

"We want 10 per cent of the proceeds from oil to develop our region," he said.

The Queenmother of Mpohor Traditional Area, Nana Ebohkra,  appealed to Mr Mahama to remember the Western Region if he became President.

She emphasised the need for leadership to stop contributing to environmental pollution in the system.

"Our lands are being destroyed, and we need your help to stop the exploitation. Our water bodies have been destroyed and we don't even have a hospital that can receive referral cases," she said.

Also present at the meeting were the Paramount Chief of Lower Dixcove, Nana Kwesi Agyeman IX; the Chief of Mpohor, Osaberima Kwaw Entsie, and the Paramount Chief of Gwira Traditional Council, Awulae Angama Tu-Agyan II, and others. 

New dawn

Mr Mahama, who is currently on a three-day tour of the Western Region, promised to implement comprehensive measures to restore the Western Region’s prominence and ensure better livelihoods for cocoa farmers and fishermen, and harness the potential of the railway sector for the region’s development.

He emphasised the critical role of these sectors in the economic prosperity of the region.

The former President said the current government had neglected the critical sectors of the economy, which, he said, could free the people of Sekondi-Takoradi and beyond from economic stagnation.

“The fishing harbour and railways are the backbone of the Sekondi-Takoradi enclave. These infrastructure projects were integral to the growth and development of the region,” Mr Mahama said. 

Economic turn  

Mr Mahama criticised the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government for a “criminal supervision of the economy”.

The former President accused the government of excessive borrowing, stating that “we have borrowed to the extent of not being able to pay our creditors, hence leading us to debt restructuring”.

“I maintain that what has happened is a criminal supervision of the destruction of our economy,” Mr Mahama said.

The next NDC government, he said, would prudently manage the economic affairs of the country and prioritise investment in critical sectors to spur growth and improve lives.

Itinerary

Mr Mahama kicked off his #Mahama4Change campaign in the Western Region last Monday with a packed itinerary for three days.

After the engagement with the Western Regional House of Chiefs in Sekondi, where he sought the chiefs' blessings and support for his campaign, he also engaged with religious leaders in the region at the Assemblies of God Church at Anaji.

Mr Mahama's campaign team then proceeded to attend several community engagement throughout the day.

These included stops in Daboase, Waasa East, Shama, Kojokrom, Sekondi, Bankease, Kwesimintsim, and Takoradi constituencies.

At each of the locations, Mr Mahama addressed enthusiastic supporters, thousands of whom had poured out on the streets to show their solidarity.

This whirlwind tour of the Western Region is part of Mr Mahama's broader campaign strategy to engage with voters across the country.

So far, he has covered 14 regions and 204 constituencies across the country as NDC prepares for the 2024 general election in the next 10 days. The party and its flag bearer  are leaving nothing to chance in their bid to emerge victorious in the polls.