NDC-USA Chapters Meet Bagbin Over Ghana’s Development Challenges

The NDC-USA Chapters in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. have paid a courtesy call on the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, as part of efforts to engage Ghana’s national leadership on issues affecting the country.

The delegation, led by Mr. MJ Lawal, held discussions with the Speaker and selected Members of Parliament, including the MP for Ho West, Hon. Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzra, and the Majority Chief Whip, Hon. Nelson Etse Dafeamekpor.

The meeting provided an opportunity for the delegation to exchange views with the parliamentary leadership on matters of national importance, particularly issues relating to economic development, industrialisation, job creation and improving the living conditions of Ghanaians.

According to Dr. Gabriel Tanko Kwamigah-Atokple, Volta Regional representative on the Council of State, who was present at the meeting, Speaker Bagbin spoke extensively about measures being pursued by Parliament to contribute to improving the welfare of Ghanaians.

He described the Speaker’s presentation as perceptive and deeply informed by his understanding of the challenges confronting the country, particularly the need to accelerate industrialisation and create sustainable employment opportunities for the growing population.

The Volta Regional Minister, Hon. James Gunu, also used the occasion to outline a number of interventions being implemented by the government in the Volta Region.

He further spoke about programmes in the pipeline, providing the delegation with an overview of the government’s development priorities for the region under the administration of President John Dramani Mahama.

Dr. Kwamigah-Atokple, in his capacity as the Volta Regional representative on the Council of State, also shared his perspectives on some of the challenges confronting the nation and matters he believed required the attention of the country’s leadership.

While the discussions centred largely on development and governance, Dr. Kwamigah-Atokple said what particularly caught his attention was Speaker Bagbin’s affection for the Volta Region and his continued interest in the welfare of its people.

He praised the Speaker’s wealth of experience and wisdom, describing him as a statesman whose long years in public service had given him a deep appreciation of the issues confronting Ghana and its regions.

“There is a saying that when you have grey hair, you should have wisdom to match it. Rt. Hon. S. K. Bagbin embodies that saying,” Dr. Kwamigah-Atokple stated.

 

He expressed gratitude to the Speaker for what he described as his assurance and continuous support for CEANA, an organisation with which he is associated.

The engagement comes at a time when the government and other stakeholders continue to focus on measures to stimulate economic growth, create jobs and improve living standards.

For the NDC-USA chapters, the meeting also provided an opportunity for members of the Ghanaian diaspora to engage directly with key actors in government and Parliament on issues they consider critical to the country’s development.

Dr. Kwamigah-Atokple said the engagement had reinforced the importance of continued dialogue between Ghanaians at home and abroad and the country’s political leadership in addressing the challenges facing the nation.

He expressed appreciation to Speaker Bagbin, the Members of Parliament and the Volta Regional Minister for the opportunity to engage with the delegation and share their perspectives on Ghana’s development agenda.