ELECTIONS NOT A BATTLE — CR MINISTER (PAGE 16)

The Central Regional Minister, Nana Ato Arthur, has reminded Ghanaians that the December elections is not a battle but a platform to select candidates to represent them.
Nana Ato Arthur who is contesting the parliamentary seat of Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem (KEEA) on the ticket of the NPP, therefore urged all to ensure peace before, during and after the elections.
He was speaking at a durbar of chiefs and people of the Edina Traditional Area to climax their annual Bakatue festival at Elmina at the weekend.
He commended the government for initiating a number of development projects, including the dredging of the Baya Lagoon.
He further advised the people to unite for the success of the “Elmina 2015 Strategy” which is aimed at developing the area to an appreciable level.
The Minister of Trade, Industry, PSI and Private Sector Development, Papa Owusu-Ankomah, admonished Ghanaians to form links with their roots and support the socio-economic development of their areas.
Papa Owusu-Ankomah who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Sekondi said most often than not, people after sojourning to other areas tended to forget about their roots and even fail to visit their areas during festive occasions.
He said even though their societies expected some contributions from them, such contributions were not necessarily monetary but regular visits and interactions to inspire them for development.
The minister, who stood in for the President, said even though Elmina could boast prominent people in both the public and private sectors most of them rarely visited home, leaving the burden of development on the shoulders of the chiefs and the few ones who identified themselves with the area.
He advised them not to shirk their responsibilities to their roots whilst contributing to their new areas of abode.
The Omanhen of the Elmina Traditional Area, Nana Kodwo Conduah VI, reminded the people of events in Rwanda, Kenya and Zimbabwe, and cautioned against electoral violence.
He appealed for support to enable him to complete a multi-purpose palace for the traditional council.
The Member of Parliament for the area and now the flag bearer of the CPP, Dr Paa Kwesi Nduom, was also at the function.