Togbe Atatim IV, Chief of the Mafi Traditional Area, has indicated that the Chiefs and people of South and Central Tongu are confident that the 2016 presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is “capable of rising to the occasion and will not disappoint us”, when given the opportunity in this year’s election.

Commending the NPP flagbearer for the “healthy” campaign he is running, Togbe Atatim admonished all other presidential candidates in this year’s election to follow suit and “conduct their campaigns in a healthy manner, so that peace will not elude us. Let us value each other and let us act in a give and take manner, in a healthy way, and let us not resort to intemperate language and fight.”

Togbe Atatim IV was speaking on behalf of Chiefs of South and Central Tongu, in a meeting with Nana Akufo-Addo, in Adidome, on Friday, May 20, 2016.

According to him, perceived strongholds of political parties should not have characteristics based on tribalism, opportunism and elitism, and urged the electorate not to pay heed to politicians who thrive on tribalism.

“These are negative features which can plunge a nation into chaos. In this context, therefore, we the Chiefs would want to unequivocally and unreservedly state that the 2016 elections should be an election devoid of tribalism and actions by dishonest politicians aimed at luring voters,” he said.

Highlighting a few of the NPP’s achievements, Togbe Atatim stated that the Kufuor government, during its administration from 2001 to 2008, made some huge developmental marks in the South and Central Tongu districts.

These, he said, “include the upgrading and infrastructural development at the Adidome Senior High School, making the school one of the model ones in Ghana. The NPP government started the Adidome-Sogakope-Hofume road, but could only complete the construction from Sogakope-Kpedzeglo before handing over to the NDC government. The main Adidome town roads were also constructed by the NPP government, to mention a few.”

He bemoaned the neglect of some major infrastructural projects in the South and Central Tongu districts, which were began by the Kufuor-led NPP government, but had been abandoned by the current Mahama-led NDC government, stressing that this behaviour retards development.

“One example in Central Tongu is the construction of the Police Headquarters in Adidome, which was started by the NPP government, but has been put to a halt under the present government. Work on the fence wall of Telefenyei dam was expected to be continued by the NDC government, after the plan had been drawn and started by the NPP government on this project. Nothing has been done ever since. In fact there are numerous of such projects in South and Central Tongu which will come to your attention in due time,” Togbe Atatim IV added.

The Chief outlined a number of developmental issues required by the people of South and Central Tongu, and requested that, should the people of Ghana give him their mandate in this year’s elections, Nana Akufo-Addo should address them.

They include: further construction of roads to link up and open up the two districts; major rehabilitation of the Adidome hospital to befit its status as a dirstrict referral hospital; construction of phase 2 of the Adidome Senior High School and renovation of the Sogakope senior high school; sustainable revamping of the Volta Star Textiles factory at Juapong, stating that “this is outside our jurisdiction but it does offer job opportunities to our youth.”

Additionally, the Chief urged Nana Akufo-Addo to fund and develop market structures at Adidome, Sogakope and other minor markets in the districts; build industries in the districts to offer jobs for the unemployed, “which is a is a big issue even at the national level”, and lastly dredge the lower Volta.

In concluding, he added admonished all political parties, in this election year, to be mindful of the fact that “the whole world is looking at us and politicians should also see Ghana in the same light. If we are divided we shall fall and be devoured. In unity we shall rise and live in progress and in strength, and be admired by the world.”