The Chief of Akim Oda, Obrempong Gyamfi Jaforo Kyere II, has assured the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin that he together with his subjects, will work tirelessly to convince delegates within his jurisdiction and beyond to vote massively for him to win the primaries of the flagbearer position of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

According to the Chief, his approach will be same for Hon. Bagbin when it comes to the 2020 general elections in order for him to become the President of the Republic since he has demonstrated that he is a great leader who has the development of the country at the core of his heart.

“We are going to talk to our people and convince them to vote for you. You are the right person to lead the NDC to the 2020 general elections”, he noted.

Obrempong Kyereh II made this observation when Hon. Bagbin who has declared his intent to contest the vacant flagbearer position of the NDC paid a courtesy call on him at his palace in Akim Oda, Sunday, October 21, 2018.

Hon. Bagbin currently, touring the Eastern Region, had gone to the Akim Oda Chief to seek for his permission to campaign and interact with NDC delegates in his traditional area.

The Akim Oda Chief commenting further agreed with Hon. Bagbin that Ghana’s developmental agenda continuous to suffer setbacks following the neglect of the traditional leaders in the local governance system.

The situation, he noted, could change if Hon Bagbin who understands the local governance system better is voted into power.

He believes that Hon. Bagbin has the wherewithal to turn things around and make Ghana a better place for all to live in when voted to lead the NDC as its flagbearer and subsequently as President of the Republic.

“Ghana needs a leader who has good programs and policies for Nananom and the entire country. Our governance system continues to suffer setbacks because the politicians have neglected us and doing their own thing. If you look at the Birem Municipal for instance, it is now headed by a Chief Executive but if successive governments had recognized Chiefs in the local governance system, they would have recognized our leadership role in the local assembly. Today, Nananom do not have any say in the governance of the country. But we know our people and when we speak they listen”, he noted.

The Overlord of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, espoused similar sentiments when addressing a grand durbar at the 75th anniversary of the late Chief of Abuakwa State, Amantiremanmienu Nana Ofori Atta, at Abuakwa, on Thursday, August 23, 2018.

The Asantehene proposed a constitutional amendment to the 1992 Constitution to give the Chieftaincy Institution a more pronounced role in the political space of the country.

He said the Constitution of the land in its present form has more provisions that conform to European Standards compared to Ghana’s traditional norms.

Hon. Bagbin has been saying in his message long before Otumfour spoke that the neglect of traditional leaders, community and civil society leaders in the local governance system of the country is impeding development.

He, therefore, pledged to change the situation when elected flagbearer of the NDC and subsequently goes ahead to become the President of the Republic.

To do this, he said, he will propose to the leadership of the NDC Party to put in the manifesto the setting up of a Body whose membership will include Chiefs, Queen mothers, religious leaders, media professionals, Chief Imams, and civil society leaders to partner the government appointee in each of the local government structures to decide on the needs of the people, mobilize them and resources to assist the Assembly implement the development plan of the Assemblies.

Whoever wins the flagbearer position and goes ahead to become President of the Republic, will then be bound to implement such policy to the benefits of all at the local level, he concluded.