PRESIDENT John Evans Atta Mills yesterday began a four-day working tour of the Ashanti Region with a pledge that the distribution of the nation’s resources would not be influenced by any partisan considerations, saying he would harness both the human and natural resources of the nation for effective and efficient development.
He explained that the country’s resources were a collective contribution of the people, for which his government was duty-bound to ensure its equitable distribution.
President Mills made the remarks during a durbar organised in his honour at the Manhyia Palace.
The visit, which was meant to thank the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, in particular and the chiefs and people of Ashanti in general for their support during the 2008 electioneering, was also meant to solicit their support for the President’s four-year term in office.
President Mills, who was full of gratitude for the Asantehene for organising the grand durbar in his honour, noted, “The time has come for all Ghanaians to put their political affiliations aside and unite to ensure the effective and efficient development of the country.”
Expressing concern over the rancour and bitterness associated with a section of the populace, he said such an attitude undermined the peace and tranquillity in the country.
He pointed out that “it is important for people to respect the elderly and those in responsible positions”, stressing that “it is equally important for the present generation to leave a legacy that will be cherished by the next generation”.
He promised to initiate policies and programmes that would accelerate sustainable national development, saying, “I was elected to serve the people and not to lord it over them.”
President Mills told the chiefs and people that he would facilitate the revival of both the Jute and Shoe factories in Kumasi as a way of providing employment for the youth.
That, he said, would please Otumfuo Osei Tutu, whose desire was to support initiatives that would reduce problems associated with unemployment among the youth.
The President urged Ghanaians to be committed to the nation’s development, just as the players of the Black Satellites did in Egypt recently by conquering the world.
He said with the commitment of all Ghanaians, coupled with good governance and stability, the country would soon achieve accelerated development.
He paid tribute to past governments for bringing the country to this level and promised to play his part to facilitate national development.
Commending President Mills for his formal visit to the region, Otumfuo Osei Tutu said the people of Ashanti “are not enemies of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government”.
He said like other ethnic groups in the country, many Ashantis belonged to all the political parties, including the NDC.
The Asantehene said partisan politics was by choice, adding that with the acceptance of democracy as the only form of governance, there was the need for Ghanaians to accept and respect the choice of Ghanaians in terms of the political parties they joined.
He advised President Mills to be strong and bold in discharging his responsibilities, saying, “You should beware of bootlickers and praise singers who are only interested in pursing their selfish interest at the expense of your government.”
“They did it to Rawlings and Kufuor and they will not spare you if you do not put your feet firmly down,” he noted.
“We only need good governance and policies that will facilitate road construction, the distribution of potable water, energy, educational infrastructure, improvement of agriculture, among others,” he added.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu said the problems facing President Mills were difficult but not insurmountable and, therefore, charged him to be focused, assuring him that he was solidly behind him.
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