Former Veep visit Tennesse

By Eric Afful-Turkson • Member - TN NPP Chapter • July 15, 2009

An enthusiastic cross section of the Ghanaian community and some N.P.P supporters in the Nashville area on Sunday July 14th, 2009 had a rare opportunity to interact with the man who until as recently as January 7th, 2009, was the second most powerful person in the republic of Ghana. The meeting also paved the way for the Ghanaian community to ask some pertinent questions regarding the direction of N.P.P as a party, and the nation in general. Soon after Alhaji Aliu had arrived at the venue to traditional drumming and dancing, there was an informal introductory session, after which a buffet style dinner was served. The two term vice president of Ghana then took his turn at the podium to address the audience. He enumerated the various developmental projects that were undertaken during the eight year rule of the N.P.P government. Some of the areas he touched on included education development, provision of affordable health care, agricultural development, economic transformation and poverty reduction.

Alhaji Aliu explained that, one of the key decisions under education reforms was to provide each district capital with a well resourced second cycle institution, especially in the deprived areas of the country. These centres of excellence were to help meet the needs of students in the catchments areas to avoid the migration associated with education.

Under health care reforms, he said there was the need to abolish the cruel "cash and carry" system because it had failed to address the health care needs of the masses. Following that, the National Health Insurance Scheme was introduced. On the issue of economic reform, former vice president Mahama listed economic decay, low foreign reserves, hyper inflation, and high interest rates as some of the conditions they inherited from the previous N.D.C government. He said following broader consultations, the government decided to adopt and implement the HIPC initiative. According to Alhaji Aliu, the returns and benefits of the HIPC initiative resulted in massive infrastructural development across the length and breath of the country-including irrigation development in the northern part of the country to address the perennial rainfall problem, Accra intra city road projects, Kumasi intra city road projects, Accra-Cape Coast road, Accra-Kumasi dual carriage highway, Dodowa-Akropong dual carriage. When asked about the power problem that faced the country in 2007, vice president Mahama explained that several steps have been taken to forestall that occurrence, and among other things, the construction of the Bui Hydro electric project when completed will provide an additional 400MW of power for local use and export.

In his conclusion, Alhaji Aliu cautioned all, especially N.P.P supporters to avoid pointing accusing fingers and playing the blame game, but rather remain united and steadfast. He assured his audience that with the right candidate, N.P.P can recapture power in 2012.

Some of the dignitaries who addressed the audience include, Dr.Philip A. Bannor-Gen. Secretary N.P.P-USA, Dr Adunya, Nana Kwame Ahima, Mr. Theo Darko-President, Ghanaian Association of Middle Tennessee. Dr. Bannor indicated that the NPP-USA is working with NPP-GHANA on several issues including ROPAA, DUAL-CITIZENSHIP, OMOV to better serve the interests of ALL members of NPP and the larger Ghanaian community as well.