Opinions of Tuesday, 11 November 2014

Columnist: Bolus, Mercy Adede

The Mayor of Accra

Mayor Of Accra, Alfred Vanderpuije is seen as a hard working individual who draws his team together using his charismatic charms to get things done.

He appears as a strategic leader in promoting economic development and improving sanitation thereby improving the living conditions and the environment in Accra.

Gone where the days when hawkers storm the Kwame Nkrumah Circle and pedestrians were at their mercy.

Since he was elected into office he has used his range of powers and duties and a general power to do anything that will promote economic and social development , and environmental improvement throughout Accra. I am sure that before using his Power he consults with the Chiefs and local leaders within our community and sharing his vision of a model city with them.

Alfred has adopted a nonsense approach in getting things done and ignoring the media who had been unkind with his determination to turnaround filthy Accra into a desirable model city in Africa.

As the executive of the strategic authority for Accra he is busy pushing for the promotion of our economic development and wealth creation, social development and improvement of the environment. I am sure the Mayor would have some responsibilities to culture and tourism, which would include Accra Theatre and others.

On a sad note, the Accra Theatre needs to be renovated to match expectation as the only National Theatre in Accra. I am positive that sooner or later we would see some improvement here as well.

The Mayor of Accra naturally has that leadership qualities some Ministers struggle with. He appeared to be honest and busy pushing to promote a healthy inter-office life style thus encouraging his team to keep up to standards and hopefully influencing healthy surroundings. He has the ability to delegate and use effective communication to push his vision to the general public.

When I saw the video clip of the Mayor dancing during the Sanitation day in Accra where he seized the moment to have a “Tro tro” driver arrested for his arrogance and ignorance.

http://www.ghanawebonline.com/en/more-opinion/nollywood/item/11477-sanitation-blues-accra-mayor-causes-arrest-of-troublesome-trotro-driver-video.html This captured my attention in writing this short piece.

Ghana needs more people like this Mayor who is bold, dedicated and committed but also hands on Mayor in setting a brilliant example by being there himself. This is the positive attitude most Government Ministers lacks. Sometimes one wonder how certain Ministers are appointed to office?

The Mayor of Accra, on the other hand is leading uncharted waters with his cleaning of Accra mission. Indeed everyone is seeing the significant improvements Accra is being transformed into. Your team have all done well. Thank you so much.

I am not surprised that his hard work has been gained international recognition, resulting in his being honoured by Benedict College, a University in the United States of America.

The citations reads as follows:

”Your additional accomplishments include serving as Coordinator of the Richland School District One Student Exchange program to Africa as well as coordinating district exchange activities to Africa for students, teachers, and school board members, and serving on a committee of experts from Ghana and Columbia, South Carolina to revise the curriculum in secondary schools in South Carolina. You have played an instrumental role in facilitating the development of several successful Benedict College Office of International Programs initiatives to include the Short Projects Abroad to Ghana Fulbright Grant—the first ever Fulbright grant received by the College, developing a summer program at Benedict College for students at W.A. Perry Middle School, and coordinating the participation of eleven members of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly in the 2009 South Carolina/Benedict College Legislators Exchange program and facilitating the involvement of twelve additional Ghanian legislators in the 2012 program. Your support has also been steadfast for the Benedict College International Institute for Teaching Enhancement (teacher training program and the South Carolina/Benedict College Legislators Exchange Program).

You have facilitated contacts for Benedict College throughout Ghana and the international community for the underprivilged and have spoken to issues of literacy, the development of the environment, community, people, and education. Benedict College is pleased to welcome you into its distinguished family of honorary degree recipients”

What a track record of this nature I would say Ghana is priviledged to have you. Well well done.

You have set a model for other Mayors in other regions to be bold and speak out challenge the Government in holding them to account in getting the right budget for their communities and using the right strategies for the Parliament to honour their fair share of the budget for the improvements of their regions.