The Chief of Staff Julius Kwesi Debrah has called on the traditional authority of Kwahu in the Eastern region to partner government empower private businesses in the area.
He said there is the dire need for the Chiefs to dialogue with government on key areas of job creation especially the private sector which is considered as the engine of growth.
The chief of Staff noted that business is in the blood of the people of Kwahu, thus the need to tap their potentials and give them the necessary tools to set up their own businesses.
"After school when I didn't get the qualifications to pursue a university degree, I had to work at a store at Okaishie 'Opanin Boadi store' for a long time to buy my first car, " the chief of staff indicated to prove that indeed the people of Kwahu are business concious.
He said the NDC administration under President Mahama is desirous to support individuals who are are eager and interested in establishing their own companies or ventures
He pointed out that personalities in government who hails from the area specifically himself and the communications minister Dr. Omane Boamah are ready to dialogue with the Chiefs to draw a road map that would empower the youth especially in the Kwahu area.
"A lot of times some people thought Kwahus engage in 'sika aduro' (blood money) which is not the case, Kwahus make their money through hard work," he emphasized.
Julius Debrah appealed to the Chiefs that for the first time, it is important to meet with the stakeholders and plot how best to support the people in the area.
President Mahama has a brilliant agenda to make life comfortable for every Ghanaian without discrimination in his second term, he said.
He pointed out that via the Exim bank which hitherto was Edaif would grant the financial support to ensure business people add value to their products for export.
The chief of staff made this known when he together with his entourage paid a courtesy call on the acting President of the Kwahu traditional council Nana Akyemfuor Asiedu Agyemang at his palace in Abetifi, as part of his campaign tour of the region.
He reiterated that the next NDC administration between 2017 -2021 would focus on economic empowerment to ensure the youth of Kwahu and Ghana in general get access to alternative livelihood programs.
He urged the Chiefs , opinion leaders and the stakeholders in the area to at all times collaborate with government to look at the way forward in identifying problems and find lasting solutions to the issues.
On his part , the acting President for the Kwahu traditional council Nana Akyemfuor Asiedu Agyemang called on government to support the development drive in the area.
He said the area is endowed with tourist attractions which must be harnessed to enhance the economic fortunes of the area.
He echoed the need for government to focus in the area especially their roads, schools and others.
The chief of staff was with madam Faustina Nelson, Emelia Arthur, Ato Sarpong, Koku Anyidoho and many more.