First lady of the Republic, H.E. Mrs. Rebecca Naa Okaikor Akufo-Addo has called on voters in the Odododiodioo constituency in the Greater Accra Region to come out in their numbers on December 7th to vote for President Akufo-Addo and the NPP, without fear of any intimidation.
She said though the constituency has been described as an election flashpoint, it should not perturb anybody from going out to vote, as the security agencies have put in place adequate measures to ensure peaceful election.
Mrs. Akufo-Addo made the comment when she visited the Odododiodioo constituency as part of her tour of the Greater Accra Region to canvass votes for President Akufo-Addo and the NPP in the December 7th Presidential and Parliamentary election.
Accompanied by the NPP Parliamentary candidate for Odododiodioo and Chairman of National Premix Fuel Committee, Nii Lante Bannerman, Mayor of Accra, Mohammed Nii Adjei Sowah, Chief Executive of the Coastal Development Authority (CoDA) Mr. Jerry Ahmed Shaib, MCE for Ablekuma Central Hon. Mariama Karley Awui and other Party officials, Mrs. Akufo-Addo visited the Makola No. 2 Market, the Agbogbloshie Market, Rawlings Park and the 31st December Market.
At the Makola No. 2 Market, Mrs. Akufo-Addo interacted with the traders to ascertain their concerns and forms of assistance that can be offered them to enhance their well-being.
She asked them not to take the many benefits they are enjoying under the Akufo-Addo government for granted but rather vote massively for the NPP government for another term to consolidate our economic gains, stating, that the Free SHS policy, payment of teacher and nursing trainee allowances, resumption of recruitment into the public sector as well as the cancellation and reduction of water and electricity tariffs have all come about only because of competent economic management by the Akufo-Addo government.
The First Lady also inspected on-going construction works on new sheds at the market for the traders, sponsored by the Rebecca Foundation.
Mrs. Akufo-Addo next visited the Agbogbloshie Market where she was thronged by a large crowd of traders and ‘Kayayeis’ (Head posters).
She reminded the Kayayeis of President Akufo-Addo promise to cancel their daily GhC1.00 tax which he has fulfilled and assured them that other promises made by the President to them will be honoured when he is retained in the December 7th polls.
Spokesperson for the Kayayei, Auntie Paulina thanked the First lady for her visit and used the occasion to express their gratitude to the government and Rebecca Foundation for their timely response during the Covid-19 lock-down as their timely distribution of food items and other household provisions greatly cushioned its negative impact.
She said the Free SHS has significantly unburdened Kayayeis as they can now make savings to start more lucrative businesses instead of repatriating their earnings to their villages for their siblings’ school fees. She appealed to the First Lady to assist Kayayeis access technical and vocational training, to change professions.
Mrs. Akufo-Addo also visited and interacted with traders at the Rawlings Park, and ended her tour at the 31st December Market where traders virtually abandoned their wares to meet her amid shouts of “Free SHS”, Free electricity, free water” and “Ye Mama baako pe” (our only true mother).
Organizer of the Makola traders Association Mr. Kareem Lammeh Yirbito said the NPP government has proven over the years to respond to their concerns timeously, stating that even though the Odododiodioo constituency has had more NDC Members of Parliament under the Fourth republic, significant projects seen in the markets like the complete re-construction of ‘Shed 7’ and on-going works on ‘Shed 8’ have been executed under NPP governments.
This he said has convinced them that an NPP MP like Nii Lante Bannerman, a native of the constituency who is familiar with their concerns, will better serve their needs in the next Akufo-Addo government and so have vowed to support him win the Odododiodioo parliamentary seat.
Mrs. Akufo-Addo assured the traders she will take up their concerns of access to soft loans, improved drainage, and lavatory facilities.
She also cautioned the gathering against being complacent in adhering to the Covid-19 safety protocols especially the wearing of masks and regular washing of hands with soap.
Sources:Broadcastergh.com
