The Paramount Chief of Nsein, in the Western Region, Awulae Agyevi Kwame II, has assured the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, of the support of the Chiefs and people of the Nzema area for Dr. Ben Asante, Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Gas Company.
According to Awulae Agyevi Kwame II, earlier reports of the disapproval of the choice of Dr. Ben Asante by the Nzema Chiefs were completely misconstrued for parochial political reasons, and were wholly inaccurate.
Awulae Agyevi Kwame II made this known when he led a 3-man delegation of Chiefs to pay a courtesy call on President Akufo-Addo on Thursday, March 2, 2017, at the Presidency.
The Paramount Chief of Nsein explained to President Akufo-Addo that that the Chiefs had only expressed a desire for a native of the Nzema to be appointed as CEO of Ghana Gas. This, he said, was not meant be a demand on the President, adding that the President remains the sole appointing authority of the land.
“We would have been happy if such a topic was never brought up for discussion, because it is ‘un-Ghanaian”. People were trying to infuse partisan politics and ethnicity into this matter, for their own parochial interests. We are all Ghanaians. No matter where you are from, and no matter which part of the country you are sent to work, you will be received warmly by the indigenes of the land,” he said.
Awulae Agyevi Kwame II told the President that the Chiefs of Nzema have a cordial, working relationship with the new Ghana Gas CEO, adding that “Dr. Ben Asante has paid courtesy calls on us, the Chiefs, in the Nzema enclave.
We have given him our blessings and assured him of our support in the discharge of his duties. We are confident he will do his work tireless to being prosperity to Ghana.”
The Nsein Chief also congratulated President Akufo-Addo on his victory in the December 7, 2016, election, stating that “we are happy with your election as President, and we will do all to support your government succeed.”
For his part, President Akufo-Addo expressed his gratitude to the Chief of Nsein for the courtesy of the visit, and also for the “prevailing understanding exhibited by the Chiefs and people of Nzema over the appointment, which did not need my direct intervention.”
The President noted that Ghanaians voted for him to return the country onto the path of progress and prosperity, adding that “it is imperative, therefore, that I think about the welfare of every Ghanaian, regardless of the religious or political affiliation or their ethnicity.”
With significant oil and gas deposits in the Western Region, which when exploited will benefit every Ghanaian, President Akufo-Addo explained that it was of the utmost importance that a competent person be appointed to manage prudently this resource.
“After consultation, I settled on Dr. Ben Asante to head the Ghana Gas Company. He has the expertise in the area of oil and gas, and amongst the host of well-qualified and competent aspirants, he stood out as highly qualified”, the President said.
He continued, “I am confident that under Ben Asante’s leadership, the nation will benefit from our oil and gas find. I am also happy that the Chiefs of Nzema have all resolved to work with him. Dr. Asante’s appointment portends well for the future of our country.”
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