Nandom Naa calls on youthful ministers to set new governance standard

The Nandom Naa, Professor Edmund Nminyem Delle Chiir VIII, has charged youthful ministers in President John Dramani Mahama’s government to establish a new governance performance standard, taking advantage of youthful exuberance, dynamism, respect for the elderly, and adherence to due process.

“The youthful ministers in the present government have an opportunity to restore the confidence of Ghana's youth in the democratic system,” Naa Prof Delle Chiir VIII, the paramount Chief of Nandom Traditional Area, told newsmen on the sidelines of a Mass organized at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Accra to commemorate the passing of Pope Francis.

The Nandom Naa, who spoke to the media after a brief interaction with Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, and some government officials who attended the memorial Mass, noted that Ghana's democracy had gone through some significant threats in the past eight years.

He noted that the situation led to widespread disillusionment among young people, as scores decided to give up and travel abroad to seek greener pastures.

Naa Prof Delle Chiir VIII noted that fortunately, the results of elections 2024 have given Ghanaians, and especially the youth and women, a glimmer of hope. “This is an opportunity we must all work hard to establish to collective action, unity of purpose and support for the governance system,” he stated.

The Nandom Naa urged youthful ministers to innovate and create opportunities for others to participate in governance while emphasising the need to rebuild trust in the democratic system among Ghana's youth.

The Nandom Paramount Chief also commended the Mahama government for its commitment to resetting the state and driving national development, highlighting the importance of inclusive governance and the need for political leaders to engage and empower young people.

“By setting a new governance structure, the government can foster a more participatory and responsive democratic system.

"The government of Mahama is for resetting the state, for national development... I urge youthful ministers and women in the present government to work beyond the norm and open the floodgates for others to enter into the mainstream governance system." Nandom Naa Prof Delle Chiir VIII stated.

The Nandom Naa noted that by prioritizing inclusive governance and empowering the youth, the government can build a more sustainable and responsive political system.

Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa commended the Nandom Naa for his contemporary leadership in dermatology, as an astute politician who served as a former chairman of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) and his current role as paramount chief of Nandom Traditional Area. "You are a statesman and we acknowledge you as such, Naa Prof Delle Chiir VIII.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs also extended the felicitation of President Mahama to Naa Prof Delle Chiir VIII for the warm reception accorded the President and his campaign team during the tour of the traditional area to solicit votes in the 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections.

Meanwhile, in a message to eulogise Pope Francis, Naa Prof. Delle Chiir VIII, who is a devoted Catholic, extended his heartfelt condolences to the Catholic community worldwide on the demise of the Pope.

Naa Prof. Delle Chiir VIII noted that “Pope Francis was a beacon of hope, love, and compassion. His unwavering commitment to the Catholic faith and his tireless efforts to promote peace, justice, and unity will forever be remembered.”

“On behalf of the Nandom Traditional Area and the Catholic community in Ghana, I offer my deepest sympathies to the College of Cardinals, the Catholic Church, and the faithful worldwide. May the soul of Pope Francis rest in eternal peace,” Naa Prof. Delle Chiir VIII stated in a message of condolences to the Catholic faith.

“As we mourn the passing of this great spiritual leader, I urge all Catholics to come together in prayer, seeking comfort and solace in the loving arms of our Lord. May the legacy of Pope Francis inspire us to live lives of faith, hope, and charity.

“May the Lord comfort the hearts of those who mourn and grant us the strength to carry on the mission of Pope Francis. May his memory inspire us to be instruments of peace, love, and unity in our communities.

“Pope Francis' passing leaves a void in the Catholic Church, but his legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched. May we continue to draw inspiration from his teachings and example. May God bless and comfort us all during this difficult time,” he stressed.