Free SHS has cut our poverty – Garu Chief

The Chief of Garu in the Garu-Tempane District of the Upper East Region has lauded the Nana Akufo-Addo government for implementing policies that have brought relief to him and his people.

Speaking through a linguist, Naba Akuntam Awini said the poverty-induced headache of paying school fees has been alleviated by the Free Senior High School (FSHS) programme, while the regular supply and subsidisation of fertilisers has made farming, the main occupation of his people, easier and less expensive.

Also, he said the revival of the National Health Insurance Scheme means his people can enjoy better healthcare again.

“We appreciate the good work that this government since they came into office, have done. One, the free education has really cut our poverty down, and we are most grateful,” Naba Akuntam Awini stated when the Vice President, Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, called on him at his palace on Saturday, 25 May 2019 at Garu.

“Equally important, we know that this is the time that farming is about to begin, and the intervention of subsiding fertiliser is very important. The chief is very pleased, and he hopes that the government will not remove that subsidy, and the farmers will be able to get the fertiliser, cultivate [crops], and we will have a good yield,” Naba Awini continued.

“We also know that the government has revived the National Health Insurance Scheme and we are enjoying it again. There are so many things, we can’t count all, but we know that you have done a lot, and we pray that God will continue to be with you, and you will continue to do the good things for his area and Ghana.”

While in the region, Alhaji Dr Bawumia performed Zuhr prayers at the Tempane Mosque, Asr prayers at the Garu mosque, and the Iftar and Maghrib prayers at the Paga Central Mosque where he praised the peaceful co-existence between Muslims and believers of other faiths.

“Long may the peaceful co-existence remain; let us accept and respect each other’s beliefs. Ghana is big enough to contain all of us. Let us work together devoid of religious differences to develop our beloved nation,” he added.

Dr Bawumia, who was in the Upper East Region on the latest leg of his nationwide Ramadan Tour, also called on the Paga Pio [Chief of Paga], Charles Awia Awamampaga at his palace. The Paga Pio commended Vice President Bawumia on his decision to join the Muslim faithful nationwide to pray together while preaching peaceful co-existence.

“May Allah be with you and give you the needed strength to undertake this national exercise,” he prayed.

Dr Bawumia was accompanied by the Minister of Inner-cities and Zongo Development, Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid; Minister of State at the Office of the Vice-President, Boniface Abubakar Siddique; the two Deputy Chief Executives of the Zongo Development Fund, Alhaji Baba Sadick and Hajia Aisha Salifu; the Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority, Hassan Tampuli; the Registrar of the Pharmacy Council, Pharm (Dr) Audu Rauf; and other Muslim leaders.

The Vice-President’s next visit will be to the Bono and Ahafo regions.