Speaking at the general meeting of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs in Koforidua, Mr Kofi Dzamesi pleaded with the Chiefs to give the government time as to address  their challenges.

“I must say that the enormous role that chiefs and Queen Mothers’ play in the society can never be undermined or go unnoticed by the NPP government. You are role models and agents of change and you also contribute to the socio-economic development of this nation and for that the government recognizes all your efforts.”

“This year we have managed to increase allowances for Paramount Chiefs and Queen Mothers’. It is the vision of His Excellency the President that as we move forward by the end of the first 4 years in office every single gazetted Chief will be paid some allowance to help in discharging their duties but this is tied to conflict resolution,” he said.

Kofi Dzamesi also promised to change the vehicles of all the 10 Regional Presidents of the House of Chiefs and their deputies.

“with the issue of your vehicles I have personally written a letter to the Chief of staff on behalf of the National House of Chiefs to get a number of 4 wheel drives as operational vehicles for the Chiefs and with this you will use it for your work and when you no longer occupy that position you leave it behind for your successors to take charge and I pray and am hopeful that you will soon get them.”

“With the issue of stool lands, I hope you will take up that issue because I personally believe that stool lands should be under the outfit of Ministry of Chieftaincy so that the ministry of lands will give us technical support”

He, however, called for a collaborative effort with central government to end the galamsey menace in the country.

“I want to draw the attention of the house to two critical issues which are very dear to the heart of the President and they are the galamsey menace and litigation. These two issues are deeply affecting every facet of the state and the effects are devastating and it will take a huge chunk of state resources to resolve but you are well placed to put an end to them. You control the land and you are equally involved in solving matters that bothers on chieftaincy issues so I plead with you to join the efforts of Operation Vanguard, support them and let us win the fight against illegal mining in the country to protect the environment and our water bodies,” he said.

He then hinted on an upcoming program to involve the Queen Mothers in the galamsey fight.

“Very soon a new program is going to be rolled out which will involve our Queen Mother’s because we have realized that women also play an integral role in galamsey being that they are those who cook and send food to the galamsey operators in the bush, some women even go the extent to fetch water for the use of washing the sand from the gold so we will engage them to talk to those women”

On his part, the President of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs Okyehene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panyin II asked for traditional leaders participation in governance.

“We want to be included in governance to share ideas so our areas will be developed. We want to really compliment central government because development can only happen when it is in the hands of the local people, local people should own their development and it should not be something that should be brought to us from Accra that is why we want to actively participate in governance”

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By: Neil Nii Amatey Kanarku/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Speaking at the signing of the Chief Directors 2017 performance agreements and 2016 Awards ceremony, Mrs Opare said the harm non-performance had caused to the fortunes of the heavily endowed nation was great and this must not be allowed to continue.

[contextly_sidebar id=”G2lwAcjbJrjPwQmPo6yzjehrfMRIyDod”]The introduction of the Performance Agreement System in 2010 in the Civil Service, is one of the efforts designed to bring the civil service leadership into focus, and through that change the negative public perception on their service delivery.

“We have remained poor in the abundance of enormous natural wealth and this is unacceptable and must change,” she added.

She said performance agreements were about establishing expectation, appointing accountability for them and setting standards for their execution.

She said such agreements were usually to ensure quality performance and so there must be the consequence for not meeting key targets, goals and results.

Mrs Opare said Chief Directors and government were by the agreement defining actions to be taken and results to expected from those actions.

She said Chief Directors needed to show the President through their Ministers that they were capable and willing to help the government execute its agenda.

“Please, recall that, the President said he is not interested in witch-hunting and that all he requires is professionalism and co-operation to enable him fulfill the mandate given him,” she added.

She urged the Minister of Monitoring and Evaluation to work closely with the Head of Civil Service and other related agencies to ensure that Chief Directors deliver on the agreements, reiterating that “there should be consequence for non-performance.

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Source: GNA

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According to him, such appointments will help the young ones to be nurtured and their skills utilized for the development of the country.

“AFAG wants to urge the President-Elect and the appointing authority to look within the pool of the NPP to ensure that young people of excellent standard and virtue who form a sizeable number of the human resource at the nation’s disposal are identified nurtured,” AFAG said in a statement.

[contextly_sidebar id=”s9ZCDhvYy5fHZdKlc2fuyU7ECrXER8G6″]The statement comes on the back of administrative staff announced by Akufo-Addo on Wednesday.

About four persons considered to be very youthful made it into Akufo-Addo’s list of 13 appointments he made including Francis Asenso-Boakye and Samuel Abu Jinapor, both Deputy Chiefs of Staff,  Eugene Arhin, Director of Communications at the Presidency and Clara Napaga Sulemana Tia, a Presidential Staffer.

He also named Akosua Frema Osei-Opare as his Chief of Staff.

AFAG in the statement said it is impressed and content with the new appointees.

“AFAG is content with the quality of appointments made so far by President-Elect, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. As an institution that cherishes good governance, we are impressed with the brilliant men and women of substance that would be manning the office of the president.”

“The appointment of the first female Chief of Staff is laudable and it deserves commendation of the highest esteem. Also, the inclusion of vibrant and result orientated youth who distinguished themselves in service to the nation should also be celebrated. These sharp young minds must be properly nurtured by the best senior citizens to ensure the continuity of the moral fibre of our Ghanaian society,” AFAG added.

Ofosu-Kwakye questions Nana Addo’s appointment of young people

Meanwhile, the outgoing Deputy Minister of Communications, Felix Ofosu-Kwakye, has questioned the rationale for the appointment of young persons in Nana Akufo-Addo’s government, considering that he and his young colleagues were heavily criticized by the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

According to him, when President John Mahama and late President John Mills took the same decision, they were condemned by the NPP.

“It is unfortunate that when President Mills and President Mahama gave opportunities to young persons to contribute to national development persons in the opposition and some surrogates of theirs sought to bastardize them and did not allow them the opportunity to make that contribution. Here we are the President-elect has appointed at least three people within their circles to serve in his government and the same people who derided others appointed by President Mills and President Mahama are now falling over themselves to uphold the image and integrity of these young men,” he noted.

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By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

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He is expected to take over the administration of the country from January 7, 2017.

Announcing the staff at his Nima residence in Accra, Nana Akufo-Addo named Frema Osei-Opare as his Chief of Staff.

He also named renowned lawyer, Nana Bediatuo Asante as his Executive Secretary, while Eugene Arhin was named Director of Communications at the Presidency.

Others names are:

Brigadier General Emmanuel Okyere – National Security Advisor

Lord Commey – Director of Operations at the presidency

Frema Osei-Opare – Chief of Staff

Francis Asenso Boakye – 1st Deputy Chief of Staff

Abu Jinapor- 2nd Deputy Chief of Staff

Ambassador Hassan Ahmed – Director of State Protocol

Saratu Atta – Special Assistant to the president

Joshua Kyeremeh – National Security Coordinator

Kan Dapaah – Minister Designate for National Security

Victor Newman – Director of Research

Clara Napaga Sulemana Tia – Presidential Staffer

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

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This will be ahead of his official inauguration as President on Saturday, January 7, 2017, at the Independence Square.

The President-elect has already named some individuals who will serve in his government as ministers.

Over the weekend, he said renowned Ghanaian Cardiothoracic surgeon, Professor Kwabena Frimpong Boateng will be his Minister for Environment Science, Technology and Innovation.

While addressing the Private Enterprise Federation at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) in December, Akufo-Addo announced that businessman and former Trade and Industry minister in the erstwhile John Kufour administration, Alan Kyeremanteng will serve as Trade and Industry minister in his government.

Ahead of Akufo’s announcement of the Chief of Staff, some people have speculated that the President-elect’s choice will be the former Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency Member of Parliament Frema Osei-Opare, and will have Abu Jinapor as her deputy.

While the speculations cannot be held as true, some bigwigs in the New Patriotic Party including Nana Akomea and Gabby Asare Otchere Darko have said the choice of Abu Jinapor as a deputy Chief of Staff is laudable.

‘Mahama, Akufo-Addo tour Flagstaff House’

President John Mahama will later today take President-elect, Nana Akufo-Addo on a tour of the Flagstaff House.

The Flagstaff House, which is the official seat of government will serve as the office of the incoming President Nana Akufo-Addo until he leaves office.

‘Preparations for inauguration far advanced’

The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) representatives on the Transition team have said 80 percent of the work pertaining to Saturday’s inauguration ceremony has been completed.

On Tuesday, the transition team revealed that it was expected about 11 heads of states in the country of grace the swearing-in ceremony.

It also said about 5,000 security officers will be deployed on the day.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @jnyabor

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The delegation included Ashanti Regional Minister, John Alexander Ackon, his deputy Andy Osei Okrah, Minister for Works And Housing, Dr. Kweku Agyeman Mensah, Deputy Communications Minister, Ato Sarpong and Presidential Staffers Kojo Adu Asare, Emelia Arthur and Mawushie Dzirasah, a presidential aide.

Other top officials included Deputy Defense Minister, Kenneth Adjei, Deputy General Secretary of the NDC, Koku Anyidoho, NDC National Communications Officer, Solomon Nkansah among others.

Chief of Staff who was on a 5-day campaign tour of the region subsequently suspended his activities following a ban on funerals, drumming and noise making in Asanteman until the burial of the queen mother.

The late Asantehemaa was the mother of the current Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

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By: Hawa Iddrisu/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Chief of Staff leads gov’t delegation to console Otumfuo [Photos] appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

“I ask you to forgive those who insult and attack you for they do not know what they are doing,” Chief Kanewu said.

According to him, under the leadership of President Mahama, Ghana is revered and viewed as an icon of true democracy and oasis of peace in the African continent.

Addressing the Chief of Staff, Mr. Julius Debrah and his entourage at Brewaniase in the Nkwanta South District, Nana Addo Kanewu said “if some chief on his own volition or accord has said that he supports another presidential candidate, that’s his own business; it is not the decision of the paramountcy and chiefs of Nkwanta South District.”

Mr. Julius Debrah is in the Volta region as a follow up to an earlier visit by President Mahama to whip up enthusiasm among NDC faithful towards ahead of the December 7 polls.

He is also calling on the Chiefs and people of the region to vote massively for President Mahama.

Paying glowing tribute to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for its achievements under the leadership of President Mahama, the chief said enough has been done by the government thatar deserves commendation.

While recounting the developmental projects in his area, the revered paramount chief said every community in his area has been connected to the national grid.

According to him, schools and libraries have been provided, road from Nkwanta to Dambai is under construction with more projects yet to commence under the governing NDC.

“They said chiefs should not dabble in politics, but nothing stops us from speaking of the good things we are seeing in our communities,” Chief Kanewu stated.

He indicated that “Ghana is doing better under the leadership of the amiable, affable, accessible and God fearing President, Nothing stops us from saying, ‘JM yidzi!.’

The Chief urged government to ensure that the peace and cohesion Ghana is currently enjoying are jealously protected before, during and after the 2016 elections.

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By: Richard Mensah/ghelections.com/Ghana

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“My boss the President has thought me to always start the day by saying father let thy will be done. When you are a child of God and you believe in him, you don’t fear of who wins or loses an election because God’s own will shall prevail,” he stated.

The Chief of Staff reaffirmed the commitment of the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and President John Mahama to maintain the peace and cohesion of the country before, during and after the December 7 general election.

Mr. Julius Debrah made the call when he interacted with the members of the clergy in the Volta Region as part of his campaign tour of the region.

The Chief of Staff advised the youth to avoid acts of violence.

“No matter what anybody will do or not do, we in the NDC believe that the will of God would be done, and when that is done, nobody will have any course to complain. The President and his government’s main concern is to ensure the country progresses , doing what is right before the Lord and to avoid His wrath,” he said.

Mr. Debrah pointed out that the government and the church are partners in development, emphasizing on the need for the clergy to continuously pray for God’s mercy, peace and progress.

The Moderator of the General Assembly of the EP Church Rev.Dr Seth Senyo Agidi led the congregation to pray for peace and unity ahead of the elections.

He reminded Ghanaians that there was no substitute for peace, therefore and that the church would continue to pray for Ghana.

The entourage of the Chief of Staff included a member of President Mahama’s campaign team madam Faustina Nelson, a vice chairperson of the NDC Anita Desoso, a Presidential Staffer Emelia Arthur, a Deputy General Secretary of the NDC Koku Anyidoho.

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By: Richard Mensah/elections.com/Ghana

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His tour came few days after the flagbearer of the opposition New Patriotic Party, Nana Akufo-Addo ended his five-day tour of the region.

[contextly_sidebar id=”v7BwqCutBZnBR7Jo4QfNWORkLEiu5Gfr”]Julius Debrah on his arrival last night met with Regional Campaign Taskforce, Regional Executives, Cadres, Former MDCEs, Former MPs, and Former Govt Appointees in Ho.

He is expected to this morning [Wednesday] meet the chiefs and people of Peki Blengo in the South Dayi Constituency.

He would proceed to organize a Mini Rally at Have in in Afadjato South .

In the North Dayi constituency the Chief of Staff would be in Vakpo later in the day to preach the campaign messages of the governing NDC.

Julius Debrah is scheduled to meet members of the clergy in the evening to end his first day tour.
He would continue his campaign in Nkwanta South, Akan, Hohoe, Kpeve, Kpando finally to Ho where the tour would be heralded by a health walk .

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By: King Norbert Akpablie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Chief of staff begins 4-day tour of Volta Region appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.