The plan of NDC Atlanta to ensure that more souls are won for the party received a major boost on Monday June 1, 2010 when H.E. Daniel Ohene Agyekum, Ghana’s Ambassador to USA took time off his heavy schedule and at a very short notice to meet with members of the ever growing Atlanta Chapter of NDC at the auditorium of RichJane Events Hall, Mableton Georgia, USA.
The modesty and humility often associated with NDC officials was visibly displayed by Ambassador Ohene Agyekum as he freely and cordially availed himself to all those who were present and stated categorically that he would prefer questions being thrown at him rather than giving a lengthy speech. This was very much welcomed by all after the Chairman of NDC Atlanta, Dr. Bismark Sarfo welcomed the Ambassador to Atlanta, and praised him for his great and humble leadership style, and subsequently outlined planned activities of NDC Atlanta for the rest of the year.
The Ambassador, who was on an official visit to Atlanta to launch the Delta direct maiden flight from Atlanta to Accra, patiently poured out plans afoot to achieve the better Ghana agenda of PRESIDENT MILLS led NDC government.
He assured all present that the President is very much focused and will surely deliver on his campaign promises, hence the need for all of us to give him the needed support.
Mr. Konu, asked the Ambassador to call on Government to ensure that there are more opportunities for Ghanaians who intend to have ‘attachments’ or internships in the Foreign Services at the various Ghanaian Embassies the world over. According to him, a lot of Ghanaians are met with strict procedures in that direction therefore making it extremely difficult for them to serve their Country. In his response, the Ambassador made it clear about the due process that must be followed in getting accepted as an intern, and pledged his readiness to intervene should anyone face any difficulty seeking internship at the Ghana Embassy in Washington DC.
On a question by Mr. Williams Kumah regarding dual citizenship and restrictions attached to holding some political offices in Ghana and the need for government to take a second look at some of these restrictions, Ambassador Ohene Agyekum made it clear that as much as government values contributions of Ghanaians in the Diaspora towards national development, the restrictions will be difficult to review. He explained that, by becoming a dual citizen, one cannot easily tell where your loyalty is and as such not too good to make easy access to some offices of national importance on security grounds. He however implored Ghanaians in the Diaspora to apply for the dual citizenship since the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages.
Mr. Richard Aikins, Public Relation Officer (PRO) of NDC Atlanta, reminded the Ambassador about the need for the government and party officials visiting USA to recognize the various NDC Chapters in the State that they are visiting so as to show a sign of recognition of the Chapters support and loyalty to the government and the party.
Mrs. Lydia Petit, the Treasurer of NDC Atlanta, asked about the proposed honorary consulate to be established in five States, to which the Ambassador said plans are far advanced to have that done. He was however sad about tribal sentiments that are surfacing as to who and from which tribe should man the yet to be established Offices. He advised that Ghanaians in the Diaspora must eschew tribal and ethnic differences and see each other as one people with a common destiny. He touched on the oil find and efforts being put in place by the President to ensure that the oil will be a blessing but not a curse to Ghana, taking a cue from other Countries.
He was full of praise for the Executives and members of NDC Atlanta for keeping the flags of NDC and mother Ghana High, and advised that we should work hard and give out our best and also, close our ranks to ensure a resounding victory for NDC in 2012. He promised to be back soon to fraternize with NDC Atlanta. The entire membership of NDC Atlanta pledged their full support to the Ambassador to ensure that his aggressive move to entice potential investors to Ghana, and also put Ghana high on the global radar are all materialized, so that his tenure in office is placed on record as the best ever Ghana Ambassador to USA. He left the meeting and attended a Town Hall meeting where he interacted with some Ghanaians.
SOURCE:- EDEM KPLIVI. (SECRETARY NDC, ATLANTA.) edemray@gmail.com
