Techiman receives Aliu with great excitement

Techiman (BA), Nov 04, GNA - Resounding cheers from a huge crowd of enthusiastic people received Vice President Aliu Mahama and his entourage to the commercial town of Techiman in the Brong Ahafo Region on Wednesday.

The crowd, who had awaited the Vice President's arrival for nearly five hours at the L/A Zongo Park, danced to campaign songs of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

When the Vice President mounted the platform to address them they upped their celebration amidst shouts saying seeing him was adequate for them, therefore, he should not bother to address them. After allowing them to enjoy themselves for a while, they became subdued and the Vice President thanked them for their overwhelming reception and urged them to translate it into massive votes for the NPP in the December Polls.

He also told them to elect Ports, Harbours and Railways Minister, Professor Christopher Ameyaw Akumfi, who is contesting the Techiman North seat on the ticket of the NPP, to represent them in the next Parliament. The crowd shouted their approval as he was introduced to them.

Similarly, they were advised to vote for his Techiman South counterpart, Mr Prince Oduro-Mensah.

Vice President Mahama assured them that Ghana would be better off in the next four years under the Kufuor Administration as it had laid a solid foundation to improve on the socio-economic progress so far achieved.

The Vice President, who was on the last of his four-day visit to the Brong Ahafo Region, had previously addressed durbars at Tuobodom and Aworowa, also in the Techiman North Constituency.

He also addressed a large gathering at Kintampo, Jema, Wenchi Zongo, New Dormaa and other communities.

At Kintampo, Nana Fanyinamah II, Chief of the Zongo Community, commended the government for undertaking 40 education projects, providing 115 boreholes, an FM station, toilet facilities with 555 seats, electricity to 17 communities and other projects to improve their quality of life.

He, however, appealed for their town roads to be tarred and with good drainage system to make the town accessible when it rains. Nana Fanyinamah also requested for a three-phase transformer to stabilise their power supply and credit schemes to support farming, which is the main occupation of about 70 per cent of the population. Vice President Mahama told the people that the tarring of the roads had already been awarded and if the contractor was found wanting he would be replaced.

He said the prospects for the progress of Kintampo was bright as the University of Development Studies intended to establish a Faculty there.

"You would soon be a University Town and plans are underway to eventually solve all your major problems to make life better for you."

The Vice President also inspected the progress of work at the Asuogyaman Secondary Technical School at Aworowa, which is being upgraded to model Secondary School for the Techiman District with 16 billion cedis.

He advised the students to be disciplined and take their studies seriously so that they would become responsible citizens and climb to the highest level in their careers.

"There are no shortcuts," he advised. "The key is hard work. Listen to your teacher, respect them and make your books your best friends and you will be successful."

They should also use dialogue to address their problems and not resort to vandalism and violence to get things done because the government expected returns from the huge investments it was making in education.

At Wenchi, the Vice President called on the bereaved family of Osagyefo Ampem Mmore Bedeatuo, which had gathered to receive condolences from sympathizers following the public announcement of the chief's death the previous day.

He consoled the Queenmother, Nana Ampofo Twuwaa Gyedua III, who traditionally is the chief mourner and the rest of the bereaved family. The Vice President was accompanied by the Regional Minister, Nana Kwadwo Seinti, Mr Kwadwo Yeboah Fordjour, Chairman of the Region's NPP branch and other public and party officials.