On Friday, March 15, 2019, the Minister for Special Development Initiatives & Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East Constituency, Honorable Mavis Hawa Koomson, paid a courtesy call on NPP-NY Chapter during her working visit in the USA.

In her delivery, she used the opportunity to express heartfelt gratitude to the Chapter for their financial contributions as well as humanitarian interventions in some critical rural communities in Ghana.

The cabinet Minister with oversight responsibility on special initiatives including the One Constituency, One Million Dollars policy, took time to outline some of the over three thousand projects that had so far been undertaken and ongoing in conjunction with the respective *MCEs & DCEs* in the various Constituencies.

Honorable Hawa Koomson, in her speech, reassured Ghanaians in the USA of delivery on the 275 ambulances expected to arrive by June this year.

The Chapter on their part took advantage of the cabinet Minister's visit to express some concerns to the Presidency. *Paramount* on the list was the depreciating cedi against the dollar.

On behalf of the Chapter, the Vice Chairman, Mr. Issah Ballah Saeed pointed out that, though the depreciation was a major concern, Its performance comparative to the previous administration was better. He also stated that, "since the NPP promised the good people of Ghana a better livelihood, we have no excuse than to meet the expectations of Ghanaians back home, and the diaspora."

Again, the Vice-Chairperson urged government to maximize efforts towards reducing import duties and tariffs.

The Minister briefly addressed both concerns by adding that “as a member of cabinet, she can confirm that rigorous steps are being taken to stabilize the depreciating cedi and that it was a major concern to everyone, especially the Vice President who is also the head of the Economic Management Team.” She further assured Ghanaians to expect some improvement after the Finance Minister returned from his current roadshow.

The Minister, in her closing remark, thanked all members and pleaded with them to exercise patience and have faith in the government and President Nana Akufo-Addo to make good on promises made to the people of Ghana.