The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-ADDO has reiterated his desire to see zongo communities developed as other cities in the country.
Speaking at the first Zongo for Peace and Development conference in Kumasi this Tuesday, the President said the development of the Zongos is a priority to him and the NPP government.
According to him, he owes it as a duty as President and Co-chair of the UN committee on sustainable development goals (SDGs) to ensure that the inequality gap in development is bridged in the country.
This, he noted explains the deliberate efforts by the government to channel development programs to zongo communities.
”It is to address the development deficit that my government established the ministry of inner city and zongo development to tackle the inequality gap in such communities”, the President stressed.
COMPENSATION PACKAGE:
Announcing a compensation package for the families of the seven persons who were shot dead at Manso Nkwanta late last year, the President said an amount of GHC 1,750, 000.00 has been allocated to the families of the deceased.
He stressed each family is to receive 250, 000 each.
This, he added is to enable the affected families cater for the needs they may have.
The President, however, noted that no amount could replace the souls of the seven departed residents of Asokore Mampong.
”I must state no amount could repalce the souls of the seven departed citizens but the compensation is to take care of some of the costs the families may have borne as a result of this unfortunate issue”, the President posited.
SUPPORT:
Speaking earlier, Mustapha Abdul Hamid, Minister for Inner City and Zongo Development rallied support from the people of the Zongo for the government so as to enable it prosecute the agenda for development.
He noted that the NPP by the programs it is implementing through his outfit is strategically bridging the development gap between the Zongos and other cities in the country.
The people of the Zongo, he noted will eventually be the beneficiaries of the programs of the government if they offer support willingly and ensure the success of the programs of the ministry.
On his part, Simon Osei Mensah, Ashanti Regional Minister commended the ministry for the conference and urged that the people of the Zongo take full advantage of the input of all stakeholders to hasten the development of their communities.
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