A leading member of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC), Professor Kwamena Ahwoi has cautioned the Zongo communities not to fall for what he described as lies of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) saying the NPP has no real plan for them.
Prof. Ahwoi who is also a local government expert argued that the NPP’s promise to establish a ‘Zongo Development Fund’ is a ploy to attract votes and not a pledge they will honour.
He explained that the NPP resisted the decision to give Muslims public holidays just because they considered them to be a minority group that did not deserve a public holiday.
[contextly_sidebar id=”IqnmZZnBAi71IpxXyl05S0KiBpJPbGCR”]”I was a minister in former President Rawlings’ government when we wanted to give Muslims public holidays, the NPP resisted it. In fact we suffered,” he said.
He pointed out that the same people are today saying they love the Zongos and wish to establish a “Zongo Development Fund” to advance the cause of Muslims, but it’s a pure and absolute lies and political propaganda.
He said while the NDC was making a case for the two days holidays for Muslims, the NPP resisted the move.
Ahwoi said the NDC ensured that Muslims were given recognition with Eid Adah and Eid Fitr being declared holidays.
He said this when the Chief of Staff and his team met Imams and people of Takoradi Zongo.
He told the excited crowd that though President Mahama and his Veep are not Northerners, they are very much committed to working with the Chiefs and people of the Zongo communities to address their concerns.
“President Mahama and vice President Amissah Arthur are committed to the cause of the Zongos and the evidence is there for all to see.”
He said the vice presidential candidate of the NPP is a Muslim, but Islam is not practised by word of mouth but acts that conform to Islam.
The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah urged the people to vote massively for President John Dramani Mahama in the upcoming general elections to ensure socio-economic development in the country.
The team with the Chief of Staff include, a member of the NDC campaign team madam Faustina Nelson, Deputy Minister of Communication Ato Sarpong, Presidential staffer Emelia Arthur and some national and regional executives.
‘NPP has never liked Zongo Communities’
Prof. Ahwoi’s comments comes after the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Alhaji Collins Dauda told the people in Zongos in the country not to vote for the NPP.
According to him, the NPP is a party that discriminates against their kind.
“People from the UP [United Party] tradition are not our friends and such we should not be in bed with them. They are people the Zongo community cannot rely on… They are like lions, no matter what, they will not have good intentions for us,” he added.
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By: Richard Mensah/citifmonline.com/Ghana