'Give Me More Time', Mills

PRESIDENT JOHN Evans Atta Mills has pleaded with the people of the Central Region, particularly Cape Coast, to be patient with him and give him more time to carry out developmental projects in the area as he promised during the 2008 general elections.

President Mills, a native of the Central Region, promised to give back to Cape Coast and Central Region, its lost glory, by making it one of the richest regions instead of the poorest. He gave the people these assurances in the last elections, compelling the people to vote massively for him.

Addressing this year’s Fetu Afahye, celebrated by the chiefs and people of Cape Coast over the weekend, President Mills urged the people not to jump to quick judgment as his administration has only been in office for eight months, indicating that his administration will fulfill all promises made to the region before its term of office ends.

President Mills said his administration is still being nurtured and promised to perform to the satisfaction of Ghanaians within four years, saying he has the men and will ensure a better Ghana as he promised.

He advised the people to remain united and focused so as to enhance development in the area and do away with their various political affiliations to forestall division and push the development of the area forward.

President Mills thanked the people for voting for him in the last elections and promised to repair the Fosu Bridge and dredge the lagoon. He also promised to construct the Cape Coast stadium; a project started by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as well as a modern market complex for the metropolis.

The Omanhen of Oguaa Traditional Area, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, commended Government for the rehabilitation of the Cape Coast Palace and promised to take good care of it to preserve it for the younger generation.

He noted that the visit of United States of America (USA) President, Barack Obama, has boosted tourism in the area and stressed on the need for the people to stay united in order to create a peaceful atmosphere for investors to invest in the area.

He appealed to the President to ensure that the Fosu Lagoon Bridge and the Cape Coast market project are executed to enhance economic activities in the ancient city.

On her part, the Central Regional Minister, Madam Ama Benyiwa Doe, said the NDC government will work hard to ensure that Cape Coast regains its lost glory.

She charged the chiefs to take the initiative on development before seeking Government’s help to ensure development at the grassroots level.

Dignitaries who graced the occasion included the Chief Executive Officer of Tema Oil Refinery, Dr Kwame Ampofo, Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Armah Ashitey, Victor Smith, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Kobby Acheampong, Member of Parliament for Cape Coast, Ebo Barton Oduro, Member of Parliament for Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem and Deputy Minister of Education, Dr Joseph S. Annan, Head of Communications at the Presidency, Koku Anyidoho, Chief of staff, Mr Henry Martey Newman, Ambassador Designate, Valis Akyiano and Member of Parliament for Mfantseman West, Aquinas Tawiah Quansah.

DAILY GUIDE observed that all the Asafo members put on T-shirts with pictures of President Mills and the Member of Parliament for the area, who is also the Deputy Minister for Justice and Attorney General, Ebo Barton Oduro.

Information reaching DAILY GUIDE however indicates that some Asafo members of Amanful, a suburb of Cape Coast, refused to don the T-shirts, saying they did not want to politicize the festival, compelling some of them to boycott this year’s festival.

However, many people participated in this year’s festival as compared to the previous ones.