The 2024 Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Former President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his commitment to deepening ties with traditional authorities in Ghana when elected President in the upcoming elections to drive development.
The former President, in a statement recounting his visit to the Ga Mantse’s Palace in Accra as part of his Mahama4Change2024 campaign tour in the Greater Accra Region, underscored the pivotal role of traditional rulers in governance, cultural preservation, and community development.
“I received a truly royal welcome to the Ga Mantse’s palace on Thursday, where I met with the Ga Traditional Council as part of my #Mahama4Change2024 campaign in the Greater Accra Region. Thank you, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, your chiefs, queen mothers, wulomei and opinion leaders”.
Former President John Dramani Mahama, NDC 2024 Presidential Candidate
In his statement, former President Mahama highlighted the economic and cultural potential of Ghana’s traditional festivals.
He expressed his commitment to partnering with traditional leaders to promote these festivals, emphasizing their ability to attract cultural tourism, create jobs, and boost local economies.
“These festivals are more than just celebrations, they are opportunities to promote cultural tourism, boost local economies, and showcase our heritage to the world. By working closely with traditional leaders, we can enhance the visibility and impact of our festivals and benefit our communities.”
Former President John Dramani Mahama, NDC 2024 Presidential Candidate
Empowering Traditional Authorities in Governance
For the National Democratic Congress 2024 Presidential Candidate, his pledge aligns with the party’s ‘Resetting Ghana Manifesto”, which envisions integrating traditional authorities more actively into Ghana’s decentralised governance system.
He outlined plans to expand the representation of traditional leaders in governance structures, arguing that their insights and proximity to grassroots communities make them critical stakeholders in policy formulation and implementation.
“I have always believed empowering traditional leaders to take a more active role in governance can create a more inclusive and effective system honouring our cultural roots,” he noted.
The former President assured the Greater Accra Traditional Council of the NDC’s commitment to forging strong relationships with chiefs and traditional authorities nationwide.
He stressed that traditional leaders are not only custodians of Ghana’s heritage but also indispensable partners in the nation’s development agenda.
Former President Mahama’s visit comes as part of the opposition party’s broader campaign strategy to engage various segments of society and rally support ahead of the December 2024 general elections.
By emphasising cultural preservation and grassroots involvement, he aims to galvanise traditional leaders and their communities to play an active role in his envisioned transformational agenda.
In a similar engagement, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) vice-presidential candidate, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, reiterated her party’s commitment to addressing poverty in the Central Region by working closely with queen mothers.
Speaking during an engagement with the queen mothers of the Central Region as part of her tour of the region, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang underscored the importance of traditional leadership, particularly queen mothers, in combating poverty and fostering sustainable development.
These engagements with the traditional leaders signal a strategic effort to align the NDC’s policy objectives with the aspirations of traditional authorities.
With plans to elevate the role of chiefs in governance and community development, the NDC is poised to leverage Ghana’s cultural heritage as a driver of economic growth and social cohesion.
The collaboration between political leadership and traditional authorities, if realised, could mark a significant step towards fostering a governance system that truly reflects the diverse needs and aspirations of the Ghanaian people.
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