Connect with us

News

NZEMALAND CRIES FOR ACCELERATED DEVELOPMENT

It is incontrovertible that once upon a time the Nzema State, the birth place  of Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, the first President of Ghana, was forgotten following the blackest moment that cloaked Ghana when his administration was toppled in a February 1966 coup that gave birth to  the National Liberation Council made up of such people as General Ankrah, Colonel E. K. Kotoka and Major Akwasi Amankwah Afrifa, all of blessed memory now.

Today, Nzemaland is  the economic powerhouse of our energy mix. God, in His infinite wisdom, protected the Nzemaland for about 40 years and in May 2007 turned the rejected and forgotten stone to become the cornerstone for the builder (Government). Nzemaland (the forgotten source)  is back again in the scheme of things in the country because of  an expansive deposit of black gold in commercial quantity found there.

It is a trite knowledge that Nzemas are fortunate to have oil in their area but this ostensibly is not reflecting in the lives of the youth in particular in terms of employment and scholarships. This was clearly amplified some few years ago by the loquacious and ubiquitous MP for Assin Central, Hon Kennedy Agyapong, that “the Nzemas were getting nothing from the oil in spite of them being owners of the land”.

It is regrettable that a lot of people who have risen to prominence in the Nzema area have stood on the shoulders of some prominent Nzema giants but have always hornswoggled (shortchanged)  the youth with all sorts of El Dorado and utopian promises. It is even sadder to find out that a whopping US$15,000 000 out of a  colossal pay-out to the Ewusie Osei Group in 2011 by the Kosmos Energy meant  for the entire West Cape Three Point is missing as referenced by the Special Prosecutor, Mr Martin Amidu, on Ghanaweb on 27th August, 2019.

Advertisement

 As at the time of this publication, nobody had succeeded in tracing the whereabouts of the ‘People’s Dough’(that amount) from the national kitty. To add insult to our injury, which we are quietly bearing like a Saint, in November 2019, during the gift spree occasioned by the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation as revealed by the Vice Chairman of PIAC, Dr Thomas Stephens, GNPC doled out large sums in Ghana Cedis to support the following institutions and events:

1.    Damba Festival                                                400, 000.00

 2.  Ghana JournalistsAssociation                           50, 000.00

3.   Ghana Boxing Association                               30, 000.00

Advertisement

4.   First Lady’s Rebecca Foundation                     120, 000.00

5.   EOCO                                                                550, 000.00

6.   Okyenhene’s 20th Anniversary Celebration       1, 500, 000.00

We the Nzema youth in the Diaspora, in collaboration with Youth for Development in the Nzemaland, feel it is very disingenuous and troubling if all this largesse of GNPC could be enjoyed by all these institutions, without it considering causing a similar economic windfall on the Nzema people.

Advertisement

 In the midst of this plethora of resources in the Nzemaland, the Nzema State is suffering debilitating economic bottlenecks in development such as bad roads, unwholesome water, poor health facilities, lack of funding and scholarships, poor school buildings and inadequate instructional materials, and lack of jobs. We believe, at this critical juncture of our historic consciousness, the Nzema Youth in the diaspora and the Youth for Development can no longer look on with blasé attitude as our resources are carted away without compensatory  royalty and equity, all in the name of national development. The people and the Nzema State deserve better.

The Nzema Youth in the Diaspora and the Youth for Development of the Nzemaland, in collaboration with the Great King Kaku Aka III of the Nzema State, who, since his ascension to the throne, has shown commitment to the development of the youth and the entire Nzemaland,    are appealing to the Government, GNPC, Ghana Gas, ENI and all companies drilling oil not to skirt the Nzemas out of their Corporate Social Responsibility and other compensations.

 Another area where the Nzemas have been shortchanged, which is of much concern to the youth both home and abroad,  is the naming of the oilfields. How can a raw material be found in a vicinity or district and some different names are put on where it is sourced? The oilfield is in the Tano Basin, which is part of the three offshore basins in Ghana, namely the Tano Basin, Saltpond Basin, and the Accra-Keta Basin. The Tano Basin was strangely named West Cape Three Point Basin. It is interesting to note that the Voltaian Basin, which is still under exploratory stage, is called the Voltaian Basin. The name should be changed to Tano Basin or Nzema Oilfield to classify Nzema among areas where oil is produced to enable this rich resource area to attract investments.

We believe if Obuasi Goldfield, which is now AngloGold, was once called Obuasi Goldfield, then West Cape Three Point should be changed and called Nzema Oil. Adamus Gold Mines should bear the name Nkroful or Nzema Goldfield like the Chirano Gold Mines and Tarkwa Gold Mines; all these can promote accelerated economic development and improve the living standard of the Nzemas.

Advertisement

 This blatant disregard for the Nzema tradition and culture and disrespect for our traditional authority should stop with the utmost immediacy. The oil find in the Nzema state should be a catalyst for accelerated development in the area. Period.

The Nzema Youth in the Diaspora

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Hot!

Speaker of Parliament inaugurates open Parliament Steering Committee,  launches action plan

The Speaker of Parliament,  Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has launched the Open Parliament Steering Committee and the Open Parliament Action Plan. 

The ceremony was under the theme “Achieving Gender Equality: Action by Action.”

The Speaker highlighted the critical role Parliament plays in translating the will of the people into inclusive legislation, responsive policies, and accountable governance.

 “The International Day of Parliamentarianism is worth celebrating, as it offers an opportunity not only to recognise and promote achievements in strengthening democratic governance, but also to pause and reflect on the remaining gaps in institutionalising parliamentary democracy,” he said. 

He noted that the event was scheduled to coincide with the International Day of Parliamentarianism to reinforce the importance of open and inclusive governance.

Advertisement

The Majority Leader,  Mahama Ayariga, stated that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is intended to recognise the vital role Parliaments play globally as pillars of democratic governance. 

He noted that this marks the first time Ghana is formally observing the day.

 “The gravity of our observance is further accentuated as we convene to witness the launch of the Open Parliament Action Plan by the Open Government Partnership Caucus,” he said.

Delivering a statement on behalf of the Minority Leader,  Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the Deputy Minority Leader, Patricia Appiagyei, described the Open Parliament Action Plan as a transformative initiative aimed at strengthening the relationship between Parliament and the public. 

Advertisement

She said the plan represents a bold commitment to making Parliament more transparent, accessible, and responsive to the needs of Ghanaians.

The Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, described the launch as a key milestone in the effort to build a citizen-focused and accountable Parliament. 

He added that the International Day of Parliamentarianism is a call to action to recommit to the highest standards of public service and democratic accountability.

The inauguration was attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including the Majority and Minority Members of Parliament, members of the Open Parliament Steering Committee, the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Caucus, Parliamentary Network Africa, representatives from civil society organisations, members of the diplomatic corps, traditional and religious leaders, student bodies, the Parliamentary Press Corps, and other media partners.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Hot!

NACOC declares drug menace a national emergency 

The Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Interior has paid a working visit to the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) to engage with its leadership and assess operational challenges hampering the fight against illicit drugs. 

In a detailed presentation, Dr. Basha Ligbi, Head of the Commission’s Research Bureau, highlighted critical setbacks including broken body scanners at airport terminals, inadequate office infrastructure, overcrowded detention facilities, and deteriorating vehicles. 

He also called for the Commission’s headquarters to be reclassified as a security zone, citing growing security risks due to private encroachment and nearby high-rise developments.

Director General of NACOC, Brigadier General Maxwell Obiba Mantey, described the escalating drug trade as a national emergency, warning that drug barons now rival armed robbers in threat level and are gaining influence at the highest levels. 

Advertisement

He appealed for stronger institutional support and morale-boosting interventions to preserve the integrity of NACOC officers.

Chairman of the Committee and MP for Builsa North, James Agalga, assured the Commission of the Committee’s commitment to escalate the concerns to Parliament and engage key justice sector stakeholders to fast-track reforms in support of NACOC’s mandate.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending