Mahama Fever Grips Ashanti Region

Activities at Asawase, a suburb of Kumasi were virtually brought to a standstill when scores of residents lined up the streets to welcome President John Mahama who began his ‘Accounting to the People Tour’ of the Ashanti region Tuesday.

People from all walks of life hailed him while others including children and the aged struggled to catch a glimpse of him.

The euphoria, according to one party faithful, Ayamga, has been triggered by a failed attempt by the NPP to scuttle the tour with pockets of demonstrations to take away the shine if people turn out in their numbers to show appreciation for ongoing projects in region.

NPP’s lid was blown by pressure group, Federation of Ashanti Women led by Esther Nana Agyemang, an NPP activists group who issued a statement cautioning NPP activists against any activity that will tarnish the image of Ashantis and the region at large which incidentally is NPP’s stronghold.

President Mahama who arrived in Kumasi around midday on Tuesday was met on arrival at the Kumasi Airport by some government appointees and top party officials including General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, Ashanti Regional Police Commander, COP Kofi Boakye, His convoy was mobbed from the Airport, through the Manhyia highway to Asawase. From the mosque the President walked through the streets to the durbar grounds where he met the Muslim community and then to inspect ongoing work at the Aboabo Market.

In a brief speech, he told the excited audience that his government has been accused of borrowing recklessly and his tour is among other things intended to assess ongoing projects and commission completed ones to let Ghanaians know his government is working.

"Over the next four years in my second term God willing, I will dualize (double road) the entire stretch of the Takoradi through Cape Coast to Accra road and the Accra to Kumasi road..." he added.

The Council of Zongo Chiefs in Kumasi praised the president for his bold policies that have seen massive infrastructure projects intended to accelerate development. They also appealed to the president to consider indigenes of the area when making appointments into his cabinet.

They also appealed to Mahama to fulfil his promise on the reconstruction of the Aboabo drains to put an end to perennial flooding in the area whenever there was a heavy downpour.

In response, President Mahama said processes are far advanced for the commencement of the project.

“The Aboabo drain project has been approved by Parliament and tender for the project opens today to get a contractor for the project. Very soon, I will come back to cut sod for the beginning of the project,” he added.

The first day of the President’s Ashanti region tour also took him to Kumawu, where he inspected a 120-bed hospital project. The Sekyere Afram Plains District Hospital facility when completed will be the second largest in the region after the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, KATH. It has a traditional medicine centre which is the first of its kind in Ghana.

Applause
“I am happy. I can walk shoulder high. You hear all kinds of negative propaganda and you fear the NDC is doomed. Look at the numbers. Everybody is smiling. All want to touch him. He is handsome, affable and surely Ghanaians won’t reject this man,” Adjoa Yaa, an ardent NDC supporter screamed.

Egya Ampomah, a 56-year-old trader could not hide his surprise. “Is this man using black magic? He has electrified Kumasi. We anticipated low turnout. I am NPP but I am really amazed. I blame the NPP. Nana Addo has caused all this. He snubbed Otumfuo Osei Tutu II”.

Many anxious residents watching to assess inroads NDC may be making already are waiting to gauge the crowd when President John Mahama visits his Royal Majesty, Asantehene and Asanteman Council at Manhyia Palace. He is also expected to meet the Ofinsohene and address to a durbar of chiefs there by midday.

Later in the day, the President will inaugurate a brand new Mahama Day Senior High School at Adugyama in the Ahafo-Ano South District. He will also move to Adobewora in the Atwima Mponua District to commission another Community Day Senior High School.

The two projects according to a brief statement from the Flag Staff House, will give about 2,200 Ghanaian youth access to secondary education aside the numerous job opportunities they will create.

On day three of the tour, the President will have a breakfast meeting with the business community and identifiable groups. On Thursday, he will pay a courtesy call on the Adansihene at Fomena from where he will inspect the Fomena hospital project.

The Accounting to the People Tour will later take the President to Adobewora in the Atwima Mponua District, and New Edubiase where he will cut a sod for a new sports stadium.

The packed event for the day also includes the inauguration of an ultra- modern Girls Dormitory at the Bekwai SDA Senior High School. This facility can accommodate over 1,200 students of the School.