Posted: The Chronicle Thursday, January 22, 2009
President J. E. Atta MillsPresident John Evans Atta Mills has promised to deliver on the promises he made to Ghanaians during his presidential campaign.
He has therefore given his word, that his government would endeavour to make policies and programmes that would inure to the benefit of the teeming Ghanaian populace, who reposed their confidence and trust in him, in the just-ended presidential elections.
“As I said during the campaign, when it comes to sharing the resources of our dear nation, I believe that it is only fair that we begin with those who do not have, until they are satisfied, before we move to any other classes,” he emphasised.
Professor Mills gave this assurance when the National Chief Imam, Dr. Sheikh Osuman Nuhu Sharubutu and a delegation of Moslem leaders paid a courtesy call on him at the Castle, Osu, to congratulate him on his election to the highest office of the land.
To the people living in the Zongo communities, who clearly fall within this category of people, the President said, “they will be part of the programme that we will be pursuing, to ensure that the resources of our dear nation are used for the benefit of us all.
“As you know, the NDC is a social democratic party. We believe that it is important that the state pays special attention to the under-privileged, to the neglected, and to those who have been marginalised, and therefore, we will put this into action,” he stressed.
Further, Prof. Mills promised to stick to the constitutional provision, which calls for regional balance in the appointment of members and ministers of his government.
Whilst admitting that there were many Moslems out there, who could serve in his government, he noted that anyone who would be chosen to serve would be appointed on the basis of merit and their qualification.
He also sought the face of God, to enable his government steer the affairs of the nation, and urged all religious leaders in the country, to continue to pray for the nation, as they have been doing.
“I will make a special appeal that you pray to Allah, to give me and my team wisdom to be able to lead this country, to be able to better the lot of our people, and create a better Ghana, for the benefit of us all.”
On his part, the National Chief Imam, whose speech was read on his behalf by his Special Aide and Spokesman, Alhaji Mamah Gado Mohammed, noted that taking into account the apparent polarisation that arose during, and after the just-ended general elections, it was imperative that the contending factions are encouraged to bury their differences, and come together to form a united front.
It was his belief that this could lead to a common approach to finding solutions to the diverse ethnic, religious, political and economic problems facing the country.
“Indeed, unity and togetherness is urgently needed, given that Ghana’s economy is in distress in a world struggling with unprecedented financial crisis,” he said.
Under the current circumstances, the National Imam noted that what Ghana needed most, was a purposeful leadership, which had the capacity and ability to command the respect of all, and also the capacity to create a vision of a prosperous future for all Ghanaians.
“We need a selfless leadership that is fair and just and also has the courage of its convictions and the strength, to take bold and firm decisions in the national interest,” he noted.
The Chief Imam also took the opportunity to appeal to the President, to include, not only qualified, but also competent Moslems when making appointments for ministerial positions, and other public offices such as commissions, boards and ambassadorial positions, especially to the Moslem and Arab countries where he believes they would prove useful.
In a related development, Vice President John Mahama is set to participate in the 12th Africa Union (AU) Summit, which will take place from January 26 to February 3, this year, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
A statement signed by the Presidential Spokesperson, Mahama Ayariga, said he would lead a government delegation that will attend the 12th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, under the theme “Infrastructure development in Africa.”
The Vice President is expected to depart from Accra on January 30, and return on February 4.
He has therefore given his word, that his government would endeavour to make policies and programmes that would inure to the benefit of the teeming Ghanaian populace, who reposed their confidence and trust in him, in the just-ended presidential elections.
“As I said during the campaign, when it comes to sharing the resources of our dear nation, I believe that it is only fair that we begin with those who do not have, until they are satisfied, before we move to any other classes,” he emphasised.
Professor Mills gave this assurance when the National Chief Imam, Dr. Sheikh Osuman Nuhu Sharubutu and a delegation of Moslem leaders paid a courtesy call on him at the Castle, Osu, to congratulate him on his election to the highest office of the land.
To the people living in the Zongo communities, who clearly fall within this category of people, the President said, “they will be part of the programme that we will be pursuing, to ensure that the resources of our dear nation are used for the benefit of us all.
“As you know, the NDC is a social democratic party. We believe that it is important that the state pays special attention to the under-privileged, to the neglected, and to those who have been marginalised, and therefore, we will put this into action,” he stressed.
Further, Prof. Mills promised to stick to the constitutional provision, which calls for regional balance in the appointment of members and ministers of his government.
Whilst admitting that there were many Moslems out there, who could serve in his government, he noted that anyone who would be chosen to serve would be appointed on the basis of merit and their qualification.
He also sought the face of God, to enable his government steer the affairs of the nation, and urged all religious leaders in the country, to continue to pray for the nation, as they have been doing.
“I will make a special appeal that you pray to Allah, to give me and my team wisdom to be able to lead this country, to be able to better the lot of our people, and create a better Ghana, for the benefit of us all.”
On his part, the National Chief Imam, whose speech was read on his behalf by his Special Aide and Spokesman, Alhaji Mamah Gado Mohammed, noted that taking into account the apparent polarisation that arose during, and after the just-ended general elections, it was imperative that the contending factions are encouraged to bury their differences, and come together to form a united front.
It was his belief that this could lead to a common approach to finding solutions to the diverse ethnic, religious, political and economic problems facing the country.
“Indeed, unity and togetherness is urgently needed, given that Ghana’s economy is in distress in a world struggling with unprecedented financial crisis,” he said.
Under the current circumstances, the National Imam noted that what Ghana needed most, was a purposeful leadership, which had the capacity and ability to command the respect of all, and also the capacity to create a vision of a prosperous future for all Ghanaians.
“We need a selfless leadership that is fair and just and also has the courage of its convictions and the strength, to take bold and firm decisions in the national interest,” he noted.
The Chief Imam also took the opportunity to appeal to the President, to include, not only qualified, but also competent Moslems when making appointments for ministerial positions, and other public offices such as commissions, boards and ambassadorial positions, especially to the Moslem and Arab countries where he believes they would prove useful.
In a related development, Vice President John Mahama is set to participate in the 12th Africa Union (AU) Summit, which will take place from January 26 to February 3, this year, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
A statement signed by the Presidential Spokesperson, Mahama Ayariga, said he would lead a government delegation that will attend the 12th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, under the theme “Infrastructure development in Africa.”
The Vice President is expected to depart from Accra on January 30, and return on February 4.