Veep assures Nzema chiefs of Government's commitment

Nkroful (WR), Sept. 20, GNA - Vice President John Dramani Mahama at the weekend assured the Chiefs of Nzema that the Mills' administration will not do anything deliberately to slight their sensibilities, saying that any perceptions to that effect was not borne out of bitterness. "It is not deliberate" the Vice President told the chiefs of Nzemamanle when reacting to complaints that government was stalling a meeting between they the chiefs and the President at the Castle to deliberate over some pertinent issues affecting Nzemaland, despite repeated representations.

Responding to the concerns during a courtesy call on Nzemanmanle or joint council of Nzema paramountcies at Nkroful in the Western Region on Saturday, Vice President Mahama said the delay was as a result of snags over protocol scheduling rather than any deliberate ploy to deny them a meeting with the President.

He also attributed the hitch to an impending visit of the Western Regional House of Chiefs to the seat of Government, adding that it was the consideration that since some of the issues to be discussed at that meeting could overlap with or help resolve some of the problems faced by the Nzemamanle, the regional body meeting should come on first. Vice President Mahama said this situation, rather than any perceived attempt to slight them, was responsible for the delay, assuring them the President will meet with Nzemamanle confederation soon.

"It is nothing deliberate from the President" said Mr Mahama as he reechoed the viewpoint that the Mills' administration "will not do anything deliberately to prevent you from visiting us". Awulae Annor Adjaye, in a welcoming address on behalf of the chiefs and people of Nzemamanle, had expressed reservation about the delay in the said meeting, saying it has incurred bitterness among the people.

He also expressed concern over naming the oil rigs located in Nzema traditional areas after personalities hailing from other parts of the country, saying such act constituted a pite to Nzema sensibilities. The council was, however, pleased with the visit of the Vice President, declaring that the government has now "passed that test with distinction" as the visit has helped to calm seething tempers. Replying, Vice President Mahama said the Nzema Chiefs were right in their vociferous complaints because they meant well and had been supportive of government's development efforts.

Commenting on the issue of the naming of oil rigs, Vice President Mahama said since the designations were done during the previous regime, the Mills Administration would look into the factors that informed those decisions and have them communicated to the people.

Vice President Mahama concurred with Awulaye's insistence that the oil found must be a blessing but not be a curse to Ghana. He said the arrangements the government was putting in place with regard to the management of oil revenues will make Ghana a model in terms of the use of oil resources, the misapplication of which had led to the notion that oil has become a curse to Africans.

Critics who hold to this view point to Nigeria, Angola, Gabon and other African countries which are saddled with financial quagmires and violence despite raking huge wind fall from the sale of crude oil. Vice President John Mahama assured the people that the expected oil revenues will be used for the betterment of all the people in line with the NDC manifesto of prosperity for all.