NPP-USA Columbus: You've Given Diasporans An Unprecedented Opportunity — Dr Adutwum To Akufo-Addo

The governing New Patriotic Party's United States of America Columbus chapter has held its maiden town hall meeting via the virtual platform.

Mrs Obaa Yaa Amponsah Frimpong NPP-USA Chairperson who delivered the opening remarks, thanked all and sundry for making time out of their busy schedules to be part of the town hall meeting.

She admonishes members to put in their best in retaining the NPP in power to continue with the monumental strides the government is doing in taking Ghana to the next level in terms of development.

In her opening remarks, she stated, "as we go back to Ghana to campaign for the party to retain power let's try and sell the message of hope and also be guided by the strides the government has chalked in just four years."

The program was an initiative of the Columbus chapter executives with Rev. Samuel Sarkodee as Columbus Chapter Chairman.

The town hall event had Mr Danny Opoku Antwi as the Chairman of the planning committee, Oheneyere Lydia P. Harris Frimpong Ababio in charge of Communication and Nana Andoh Oppong the Organizer for the virtual town hall meeting.

The Deputy Education Minister and Member of Parliament for Bosomtwe constituency Dr.Yaw Osei Adutwum delivered the keynote address.

His address touched on the government flagship program the Free SHS.

The deputy minister in his opening remarks thanked the president and his vice for the unprecedented opportunities his government has given to the diasporan community to serve in his government.

He recounted how he met President Akufo-Addo who was then as a candidate in California. He indicated the president lauded him for establishing schools in the US to educate Americans. The president after meeting, invited him to come and help in his new free SHS policy he wanted to implement which led to him to come home and contested the Bosomtwe seat.

Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum recounted how Ghana was richer than South Korea during the early days of the country's independence.

"Comparing Ghana to South Korea today and you realise the gap is so wide. The per capita income of Ghana in 1960 to that of South Korea stood at $189 and $158 respectively. The gross tertiary educational ratio of Ghana today stands at 17% for every 100 you meet and South Korea stands at 94% for every 100. In the 21 st century you cannot transform a country without education, so the best policy initiative for any government to have brought to his people was the free SHS policy which is the conduit for tertiary education the NPP government led by the Nana Akufo-Addo initiated."

The Deputy Minister added that the worst thing to ever happen to Ghana is reversing the progress (the free SHS policy).

He therefore called on Ghanaians to retain the NPP government to continue with the policy.

The Managing Director of State Housing Company Mr Kwabena Ampofo Appiah spoke on housing deficits the country is currently facing and reiterated the housing projects across the 16 regions of the country which some have been completed and others at various stages of completion.

The MD added that his outfit was at an advanced stage in the establishment of rental assistance program, the national housing program and mortgage finance company to help in the housing growth of the country with more expected in 2021 and beyond as captured in the NPP's manifesto.

The MD was also optimistic the national housing bill will be passed by the Parliament of Ghana before they go on recess in order to start the national housing authority going into 2021.

According to him, the State Housing Company is also opened to partners either foreign or local for quality delivery in the housing sector.

NPP-USA Columbus Chapter executives extended their heart felt appreciation to all participants who blessed the program with their presence by taking valuable time from their busy schedule to be part of the occasion. Special recognition went to the planning committee, Branch Executives, chapter chairpersons from the various chapters, and NPP-USA Steering Committee for their hard work and unalloyed support.

Some Special thanks were extended in no particular order to Mr John Awuni (Kessben Fm), Mrs Obaa Yaa Amponsah Frimpong (NPP-USA Chairperson) Hon. Akwasi Konadu, (NPP Parliamentary Candidate for Manhyia North Constituency) Fatimatu Abubakar, (Deputy Communication Director at the Jubilee House) Hon. Sam Pyne,(Ashanti Regional Secretary), Kofi Tonto(Head of Information and Public Affairs, Ghana Embassy, Washington DC), Roni Nicol(Deputy M.D State Housing Company), Mr. Kwabena Ampofo Appiah (Managing Director, State Housing Company), Hon. Ali Maiga (Dormaa West MP), Hon. Francisca Oteng Mensah(Kwabre East MP) Hon. Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum( Deputy Minister of Education and MP for Bosomtwe Constituency), and His Excellency Atta Boafo Daniel Kingsley (Ghana Ambassador to the Republic of Congo Or Congo-Bra) for their inspiration. All other mentioned and non-mentioned dignitaries were duly appreciated.

Last but not least a rallying call from Miss Sandra Okyere the youth Organizer (Columbus Chapter) She said "Let’s all go out to spread the word to enable our families make informed decisions by voting massively for His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and all NPP Parliamentary Candidates."

Finally Mr Prince Ampem Darko, 1st Vice Chairman of NPP-USA Columbus Chapter and Member of Western North Campaign team Moderated the town hall program.