Talensi-Nabdam NDC appeals to President Mills to rescind decision on Asaga

Kongo (UE), Feb. 10, GNA - Executive Members and supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Nabdam and Talensi Constituencies in the Upper East Region on Monday appealed to President John Evans Atta Mills to rescind his decision on the withdrawal of Mr Moses Asaga as the Minister-Nominee for Water Resources, Works and Housing. They made the appeal at a press conference held at Kongo, near Bolgatanga.

A leading member of the NDC in the Nabdam Constituency, Mr Thomas More explained that Mr Asaga had contributed a lot to the development of the constituency, the Region and the nation as a whole. He said though Mr Asaga faulted for not consulting other members of the Economic Management Sub-Committee as said, his good sides as far as the development of the nation was concerned were significant and should not be downplayed.

"We would be grateful if you could kindly rescind your decision, taking into consideration his past contribution and records when he once served as a Deputy Minister of Finance and ranking member on various portfolios in Parliament."

Mr More noted that the withdrawal of Mr Asaga as the Minister-Nominee for Water Resources, Works and Housing would affect the party during the 2012 election since the opponents would use it to campaign against the NDC. He stressed that President Mills should view Mr Asaga's positive sides and temper justice with mercy by giving the MP the second chance. "We know he erred, but as a listening father, we plead with you to temper justice with mercy and give him a second chance," he pleaded.

Mr More indicated that Mr Asaga signed the memo that led to the disbursement of the ex-gratia award to MPs on January 16th 2009, four days before it caught the public's attention, and noted that it was therefore wrong for people to think that he ignored public opinion and signed the memo as being alleged. In another development, a former Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University for Development Studies (UDS), Professor Saa Dittoh, and a Former President of the Regional House of Chiefs, Naba Sigri Bewong, both from the Nabdam area, have also appealed to the President to reconsider his decision by revalidating the nomination of Mr Asaga.

Professor Dittoh and Naba Sigri noted that one of the pledges the President made to the people of the North during his campaign was to bridge the gap between the area and the South, and that the appointment of Mr Asaga as the Minister-Nominee for Water Resources, Works and Housing was in line with that objective. They noted that Mr Asaga was somebody who was capable, committed and knew the deprived nature of the North, and could play a key role when made the Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing towards bridging the North-South development gap.

"Everybody makes mistakes, and Mr Asaga has learnt his lesson and should be pardoned and given the second chance taking into cognizance the positive and progressive development he has brought to the nation," they pleaded. They noted that it would not only be a great loss to the constituency but the entire Region and the nation if Mr Asaga were withdrawn as the Minister-Nominee for Water Resources, Works and Housing.